Highline Canal, Lee Gulch, and Mineral Ave. Trail
Highline Canal, Lee Gulch, and Mineral Ave. Trail
01:25
5.53km
10m
Hiking
Hike an easy 3.4-mile route along the Highline Canal, Lee Gulch, and Mineral Ave. Trail, featuring diverse scenery and minimal elevation gai
Last updated: February 26, 2026
Waypoints
Start point
Parking
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5.53 km
End point
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
5.18 km
223 m
103 m
< 100 m
Surfaces
3.86 km
1.31 km
218 m
< 100 m
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Elevation
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Weather
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Today
Friday 29 May
23°C
13°C
82 %
Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: 19.0 km/h
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This route was planned by komoot.
Based on komoot's data, the estimated duration for this hike is around 1 hour and 25 minutes. This can vary depending on your pace and how often you stop to enjoy the scenery.
The trail offers a varied surface, including asphalt, concrete, and soft gravel paths. Some sections may also have natural surfaces. The Highline Canal portion is predominantly flat, while the Lee Gulch section is described as a peaceful gravel path.
Yes, the Highline Canal, Lee Gulch, and Mineral Ave. Trail is generally rated as easy and is suitable for a wide range of users, including walkers, joggers, and families. Its mostly flat profile makes it a great option for beginners.
While specific parking lots aren't detailed, the trail connects 11 communities within the Denver metropolitan area, suggesting multiple access points. For local information, you might check resources like visitlittleton.org for trailhead information in Littleton.
Yes, the Highline Canal, Lee Gulch, and Mineral Ave. Trail is generally dog-friendly. However, always ensure your dog is on a leash and that you clean up after them to maintain a pleasant experience for all users.
You'll experience diverse scenery, from treelined paths and urban landscapes to views of the foothills and the Front Range. The trail passes wetlands, ponds, and areas shaded by cottonwood trees. It's a haven for birdwatchers, with over 212 species reported, and you might spot small mammals, coyotes, or even elk. The Lee Gulch section features overarching trees, waterfalls, and a beautiful lake.
The trail can be enjoyed year-round. Spring and fall offer pleasant temperatures and vibrant foliage, while summer provides lush greenery. Even in winter, the relatively flat terrain can make it accessible, though conditions may vary.
Yes, the Highline Canal itself is a significant historical feature, originally hand-dug in the 1880s. It's one of the longest continuous urban trails in the country. The Lee Gulch Trail also features a historic flume near its juncture with the Highline Canal.
Yes, the route also passes through sections of the High Line Canal Trail (77%), Littleton L12 (35%), Lee Gulch Trail (27%), Littleton L7 (9%), and Littleton L5 (7%). The Lee Gulch Trail specifically links the Mary Carter Greenway to the Highline Canal.
No, there are no permits or entrance fees required to access and enjoy the Highline Canal, Lee Gulch, and Mineral Ave. Trail.
Given its generally flat terrain and varied surfaces including asphalt and concrete, many sections of the trail are considered accessible. However, some portions may have natural surfaces or soft gravel, which could be more challenging for wheelchairs.
While the specific komoot tour provided is an out-and-back, the interconnected nature of these trails often allows for creating various looped routes. For example, there are known loops of 10.3 miles in Highlands Ranch or 7.8 miles in Littleton that utilize these paths.