The Best Trails for Hiking and Running in Douglas County

The Best Trails for Hiking and Running in Douglas County

For outdoor enthusiasts, one of the greatest perks of living in Douglas County is the unbeatable access to open space and scenic trails. With miles of paths winding through Castle Rock, Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Parker, Roxborough, and extending past the county into Denver, there’s something for every pace and experience level. Whether you’re a dedicated trail runner training for your next endurance run or simply planning a relaxed weekend hike, here are the top local trails worth exploring.

Douglas County Race Guide

Find a list of the 2026 organized races across Douglas County, from family-friendly 5K races to endurance runs.

Trails 4 Miles and Under

Bluffs Regional Park and Trail

Difficulty: Difficult
Terrain: Soft surface trail
Start: Bluffs Regional Park, 10099 Crooked Stick Trail, Lone Tree 80124
Distance: 2.7 mile loop with one additional mile for outlook

Metzler Family Open Space Parking and Trailhead

Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Terrain: Unpaved
Start: 838 E. Allen St., Castle Rock 80104
Distance: 4 miles

Mitchell Creek Open Space and Trail

Difficulty: Easy
Terrain: Paved
Start: Mitchell Gulch Park or East Founder Park lots
Distance: 3 miles

Pinery Loop Trail

Difficulty: Easy
Terrain: Soft and hard surface
Start: Bingham Lake Trailhead, 7740 Lakeshore Dr., Parker 80134
Distance: 4 miles

Rock Park

Difficulty: Difficult
Terrain: Unpaved
Start: 1470 Front St., Castle Rock 80104
Distance: 1.5 miles

Quarry Mesa Open Space and Trails

Difficulty: Moderate
Terrain: Unpaved
Start: 1701 Crystal Valley Parkway, Castle Rock 80104
Distance: 3.1 mile loop

Trails Over 4 Miles

Bayou Gulch Open Space and Two Bridges Trail

Difficulty: Moderate
Terrain: Soft surface trail
Start: 8038 Bayou Gulch Road, Franktown 80116
Distance: 10.4 miles with multiple loops

Backcountry Wilderness Area

Difficulty: Difficult
Terrain: Dirt path
Start: Wildcat Mountain – at Rocky Heights Middle School, Highlands Point – at Mountain Vista High School or 1170 Grigs Rd.
Distance: Wildcat Mountain – 5.5 miles, Highlands Point 10 miles, both connect to Douglas County East-West Trail
Good to Know: Dogs are not allowed on all the trails

Cherry Creek Trail

Difficulty: Easy
Terrain: Paved
Start: Multiple locations, trailhead at N. Pinery Road, Parker 80134
Distance: 42-miles in total, Douglas County maintains 11.3 miles of trail from Castlewood Canyon to Stroh Road

Daniels Park

Difficulty: Moderate
Terrain: Mostly dirt road with some asphalt and concrete sidewalk
Start: 8682 N. Daniels Park Rd, Sedalia 80135
Distance: 5.8 miles
Good to Know: Part of Denver Parks system, chance to see the protected bison herd

Dawson Butte Open Space and Trail

Difficulty: Moderate
Terrain: Dirt
Start: 1753 Tomah Rd., Castle Rock 80109
Distance: 7.7 miles, including 5 mile loop

Deer Creek Canyon

Difficulty: Difficult
Terrain: Single track trail
Start: Deer Creek Canyon Trailhead, 13388 Grizzly Dr., Littleton 80127
Distance: 14.5 miles
Good to Know: Managed by Jefferson County

Douglas County East West Regional Trail

Difficulty: Moderate
Terrain: Dirt path
Start: Ridgegate Trailhead, Bluffs Regional Park, Daniel’s Gate Park, Grigs Trailhead, Redtail Park, Pronghorn Park, Plum Valley Park, and Redstone Park
Distance: 27 miles one way

East Plum Creek Trail

Difficulty: Easy
Terrain: Paved
Start: Meadows Boulevard or Downtown Castle Rock
Distance: 8.6 miles

Hidden Mesa Open Space

Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Terrain: Natural surface
Start: 3217 North State Highway 83, Franktown 80116
Distance: 4.7 miles

Highline Canal Regional Trail

Difficulty: Easy
Terrain: Natural Surface
Start: Multiple Locations, trailhead at 11498 Roxborough Park Road, Littleton 80125
Distance: 71 miles total, Douglas County maintains the western 8 miles

Philip S. Miller Park

Difficulty: Moderate
Terrain: Unpaved and paved
Start: 1375 W. Plum Creek Parkway, Castle Rock 80109
Distance: 10.5 miles
Good to Know: Add to your workout on the 200-step incline at Challenge Hill

South Platte River Trail

Difficulty: Easy
Terrain: Dirt path or concrete sidewalk
Start: C470 Bikeway
Distance: 35 miles from Chatfield State Park to downtown Denver

Ridgeline Open Space and Trails

Difficulty: Medium
Terrain: Paved and unpaved
Start: 2525 Coachline Road, Castle Rock 80109
Distance: 13.5 miles

Sandstone Ranch

Difficulty: Moderate
Terrain: Natural surface
Start: 9605 S. Perry Park Road, Larkspur 80118
Distance: 12 miles

Sharptail Ridge Open Space and Trail

Difficulty: Moderate
Terrain: Natural surface
Start: 6500 Roxborough Park Road, Littleton 80126
Distance: 4.6 miles
Good to Know: Dogs are prohibited

Waterton Canyon

Difficulty: Easy
Terrain: Dirt road
Start: Waterton Canyon Trailhead
Distance: 13 miles out and back
Good to Know: Dogs are prohibited due to bighorn sheep