Confluence Park to University Blvd., Denver

The Cherry Creek Bike Path is one of the most popular off-street recreation paths in the city. There is a concrete path along either side of Cherry Creek, with one side designated for wheels and the other for pedestrians (always confusing for anyone with a stroller!).

Starting at Confluence Park, the creek and paths run below the street level of busy Speer Boulevard all the way to the Cherry Creek shopping district, where Speer Boulevard intersects with University Boulevard. There are ramps at intervals on the path to climb up to street level and go see the nearby sights.

Down below the streets it’s a world away from traffic and urban life with greenery and the wind rushing through your ears. It’s 4.4 miles from Cherry Creek to University Boulevard, but the trail continues on to the Cherry Creek Reservoir (another nine miles from University Blvd.).

The Cherry Creek Bike Path and Platte River Greenway are the main activity paths within the city, but each extend beyond the county lines with offshoots to many other popular paths for bicycling, running, and other sports.

For more about where and when to bicycle around the Denver metro area, go straight to the local experts who have conveniently established websites with loads of helpful information.

On www.bikepaths.com there is a great top 10 list of less-traveled trails, a calories-burned calculator, and a list of regional cycling events. There are links and a list of nearly every bike shop in the metro area too.

For more general information about advocacy for bicycling in Denver, ordinances and maps, try www.denvergov.org/Bicycle_ Program or www.bikedenver.org. Both of these sites portray bicycling not as just a sport but a movement and a way of life. Also, www.bicyclecolo.org offers free online cycling maps and also sells hard copies.