The best road cycling routes around The Pinery

The Cherry Creek Regional Trail offers a unique road cycling experience, guiding you from Denver's urban core into serene natural landscapes. You'll follow the Cherry Creek waterway, enjoying views of cottonwood trees, grasslands, and the impressive Cherry Creek Reservoir. This moderate 35.5-mile (57.1 km) route, with 774 feet (236 metres) of elevation gain, is mostly paved and takes about 2 hours and 54 minutes, making it a fantastic option for a longer, accessible ride.

Accessing the trail is easy, with many entry and exit points along its length. Trailheads often provide convenient parking, restrooms, and bike amenities. While the path is primarily for road cycling, it's a multi-use trail, so expect to share it with others. If your route takes you through Cherry Creek State Park, be sure to check for any required cycling permit fees.

This trail is a significant regional asset, connecting downtown Denver all the way to Franktown. Its varied scenery, from city parks to open natural spaces, provides a diverse experience that sets it apart. It also links to other major regional trails like the Highline Canal and the Platte River Trail, offering even more exploration opportunities.

The Cherry Creek Regional Trail is a fantastic option for road cyclists looking for a varied and accessible ride. This moderate route spans 22.6 miles (36.3 km) with a gentle 401 feet (122 metres) of elevation gain, typically taking around 1 hour and 54 minutes to complete. You'll experience a smooth, paved surface for most of the journey, winding through urban parks, past the Cherry Creek Shopping District, and eventually opening up to the serene natural beauty of Cherry Creek State Park with its reservoir views and cottonwood-lined sections. It's a great way to combine city riding with a taste of the outdoors.

Accessing the Cherry Creek Regional Trail is incredibly easy, with many trailheads offering parking, restrooms, and even bike stations along its length. Since it's a multi-use path, you'll share it with others, but the trail's design often includes overpasses, allowing for a continuous, traffic-free ride. While you can enjoy this trail almost any time, consider starting early on warmer days, and remember that it's a popular spot, so expect company, especially on weekends.

What makes this trail stand out is its impressive connectivity, linking downtown Denver all the way south towards Franktown. It's a vital regional artery that seamlessly transitions from bustling cityscapes to open grasslands and wooded areas, offering a unique blend of environments within a single ride. This makes it an excellent choice for those who appreciate a long, uninterrupted ride with changing scenery, and it even connects to other major regional trails like the Highline Canal.

The View of Cherry Creek Reservoir – Cherry Creek Trail loop from Pinery Park-n-Ride offers a truly epic road cycling experience, guiding you through a diverse tapestry of Colorado's natural beauty. You'll pedal past open grasslands, through fragrant Ponderosa pine forests, and alongside the expansive Cherry Creek Reservoir, often catching glimpses of the distant Front Range mountains. While mostly smooth, well-paved concrete, be ready for a few minor gravel sections, particularly as you venture further south, adding a touch of adventure to this long-distance ride.

Planning for this difficult 73.8-mile (118.7 km) loop, which typically takes around 6 hours and 1 minute to complete with 1729 feet (527 metres) of elevation gain, requires good preparation. The Pinery Park-n-Ride provides a convenient starting point, and you'll find amenities like restrooms and picnic shelters at various points along the broader Cherry Creek Regional Trail. Remember to pack plenty of water and snacks, as this is a significant undertaking best suited for experienced cyclists with very good fitness.

This route is a substantial segment of the popular Cherry Creek Regional Trail, known for its continuous cycling sections with fewer stop signs and lights. It connects numerous parks and open spaces, including Cherry Creek State Park, and is a multi-use path shared with other outdoor enthusiasts. The gradual elevation changes from north to south contribute to the challenging nature of the ride, making it a rewarding choice for those seeking a long, scenic day on their road bike near Denver.

The Cherry Creek Trail – The Homestead loop offers a dynamic road cycling experience, blending urban convenience with natural beauty. You'll follow the meandering Cherry Creek, passing through rolling hills and grasslands, with cottonwood trees and willows lining the path. Keep an eye out for panoramic views of the Rocky Mountains and the Denver skyline as you cycle, especially around the expansive Cherry Creek State Park.

This moderate 25.6-mile (41.2 km) loop, with 587 feet (179 metres) of elevation gain, typically takes about 2 hours and 21 minutes. While mostly paved, some segments may be unpaved and challenging for road bikes, so good fitness is required. Parking is available at the Callan Rose Early Learning Center, making it a convenient starting point for a varied ride.

As a significant regional trail in the Denver Metro Area, the Cherry Creek Trail is a popular choice for cyclists, skaters, and walkers. This specific Homestead loop provides a taste of the trail's diverse character, seamlessly connecting urban environments with open prairie. It's an excellent option for those seeking a substantial ride that offers both a workout and a scenic escape.

The Homestead – Cherry Creek Trail loop from Hidden Mesa Trailhead offers a mixed bag of terrain, transitioning from the smooth, paved Cherry Creek Trail through lush riparian valleys to the rugged, unpaved ascent of Hidden Mesa. As you climb, you'll be treated to expansive views of the Rocky Mountains, from Pikes Peak to Longs Peak, amidst rock outcroppings and grasslands. This 21.2-mile (34.2 km) route, with 531 feet (162 metres) of elevation gain, is rated moderate and takes about 2 hours and 7 minutes, but its varied surfaces make it a true test for road cyclists.

Planning your ride from the Hidden Mesa Trailhead, be aware that while the Cherry Creek Trail is suitable for road bikes, the Hidden Mesa Trail portion is not. Expect steep, loose sections and natural surfaces that are challenging for traditional road cycling. This means you might need to push your bike on some segments, so consider a mountain bike or a robust gravel bike for the full loop. There are no specific permit requirements, but checking the weather and trail conditions before you go is always a good idea.

This loop is notable for its diverse ecosystems, moving from the valley's riparian environment to the open views atop Hidden Mesa. It's part of a 1,200-acre preserved area, offering opportunities to spot wildlife like elk and pronghorn. The connection to the paved Cherry Creek Trail provides an accessible entry point, but the challenging natural surfaces of the mesa make it a unique and demanding experience for those seeking more than just a typical road cycling route.