Are you interested in running, walking or biking the entire length of the State of Colorado from the Wyoming border to the New Mexico border? If so, you’re in luck. The Colorado Front Range Trail will eventually provide you with a continuous trail that can be used for this very purpose! Plans for the Colorado Front Range Trail project, which is often referred to as “CFRT” began over a decade ago, and portions of the trail are still under construction. Once complete, the trail will be 876 miles in length and will connect large cities, small towns, various communities, and designated open space throughout Colorado.
According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the trail will be designated as multi-purpose and will offer users the opportunity to view scenic landscapes, access historic areas and parks, and visit various Colorado attractions. Because of its unique features, it is expected that the trail will draw visitors and tourists to the state.
Some facts about the CFRT include the following:
- Some sections of the CFRT already exist, and will be eventually connected when the project is complete.
- Trail maps are available on the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website that provide details of the various sections of the CFRT.
- The west section of the trail that travels through Denver follows the South Platte River Trail through Downtown Denver.
- The east section of the trail that travels through Denver follows the Cherry Creek Trail.
- The trail will travel through Douglas County in two locations – the west section is located on the west side of Chatfield Reservoir and may eventually follow Highway 85 south to Castle Rock. The east section travels through Parker along the Cherry Creek Trail.
The Colorado Department of Natural Resources offers a detailed map of the Colorado Front Range Trail, including the North Section, Middle Section and South Section. According to the map, there are currently 295 miles of completed trail, 93 miles of planned trail, and 488 miles of envisioned trail. When complete, the trail will be 876 miles long with 110 trailheads.
If you are interested in hiking in Colorado but you aren’t sure if you want to commit to hiking the entire length of the state, there are many options for you! There are sections of the Colorado Front Range Trail that are already constructed and available for short-distance hiking, jogging, walking and biking.
For more information on public trails in Colorado that are not part of the CFRT, take a look at the following websites:
- AllTrails – Best Trails in Colorado – Search for trails by location. Includes reviews written by individuals who recently visited the individually listed trails.
- Trails.com– State of Colorado Hiking Trails – Offers a map of hiking trails in the state.
- Colorado Trail Foundation – Volunteer organization that helps keep all of Colorado’s trails clean and in good condition.