High Line Canal Trail Overview
The High Line Canal and its Trail, at 71 miles long, run from Waterton Canyon to Green Valley Ranch, just south of Denver International Airport. Zigging, curving, and zagging, the Trail of asphalt, concrete and soft surface, meanders through urban, rural, and suburban metro Denver. Only falling 200 feet over its entire length, the Trail is relatively flat and easily traversed by walkers, hikers, rollers, and bikers.
Everything you need to know for how to hike the High Line Canal Trail is on this website.
The trail’s map shows its overall path. The numbers show how you can hike it in 14 segments. (Read this post for more info.)
Trailhead and Segment Information
For specifics about each trail segment and the trailheads and trailends, see the Trailhead Info here.
How to Hike the High Line Canal Trail Your Way
You can hike the entire trail by breaking it up. There’s the Short and Sweet option in 27 segments, the Medium and Enjoyable option in 14 segments (the recommended way) and the Long and Thorough option in 8 segments. Read about recommended ways on how to break the trail.
Specific Trail Information
The southern half of the High Line Canal Trail features the foothills and vast front range views.
The northern half features the prairies and vast grassy views.
Both halves combine for the whole story of what Denver has to offer, with a fabulous tromp through water history and land rights.
Perfect for Visitors and New Hikers
The High Line Canal Trail is the perfect hike for locals and visitors alike who are acclimating to Denver’s high altitude or who want to train locally for more difficult hikes in the mountains at higher elevations.
Want to know more about hiking the High Line Canal Trail in 14 segments? Browse the posts below and see what it’s like to hike with Chris on this fabulous Denver treasure.
Or read
How to Hike the High Line Canal Trail
High Line Canal Trailheads and Segments
Want to read stories about hiking the High Line Canal Trail?
Check out the posts below, focusing on hiking the High Line Canal Trail in 14 segments.
The One Denver Hike You Must Do Each Month
Hiking in Denver can fill every day of the year due to the hundreds of miles of trails, more than 300 parks, and 78 neighborhoods that call Denver home. Depending on the month, one hike is better than the next. We offer the best Denver hike to do each month of the...
High Line Canal Trail Trailheads and Segments
High Line Canal Trail Trailheads and Segments With 71 miles of trail snaking from Waterton Canyon to Green Valley Ranch, jumping on the High Line Canal Trail is easy. But finding the trailheads can sometimes be a bit difficult. Passing through 11 jurisdictions as a...
Hiking the High Line Canal from Mile 2-0-2
High Line Canal --The Search for Mile Marker 0 The End Is the Beginning Sometimes the end isn't the end. When the High Liners, a group of 7 adventure seekers walked into the final parking lot of the High Line Canal, we had scratched our heads. If we were at the end of...
Hiking the High Line Canal from Mile 6-2
High Line Canal Trail, the Final Miles Once again, the weather arrived to our walk in grand splendor. Nine of us headed out on High Line Canal Segment 11 (note: we have since renumbered the segments), our final meander of our 71 mile adventure. Feeling the love from...
Hiking the High Line Canal from Mile 6-8-6
Hiking High Line Canal Miles 6-8-6, Up and Back Plum Creek Please note: As of 2020, you can now park at the trailhead, walk to mile marker 7, and take the a Chatfield Park trail across the Plum Creek. You'll walk northeasterly, crossing the creek, and ending up on the...
Hiking the High Line Canal from Mile 15 to 10
High Line Canal from Miles 15-10 Highlands Ranch We had a short way to go and short time to get there. Fortunately, the 88 degree sun began to set as the eight of us headed west into its sunset through Highlands Ranch along the High Line Canal Segment 9. Feeling the...
Hiking the High Line Canal from Mile 25-15
High Line Canal from Mile 25-15--An Amble through Littleton If you haven't joined us yet, what are you waiting for? We are having an absolute blast connecting with the High Line Canal and walking the 71 miles from the Denver International Airport to Waterton Canyon...
Hiking the High Line Canal Mile 29-25
High Line Canal Mile 29-25 Greenwood Village to Centennial It's funny to think that walking 5 miles is chump change. But that's how we felt this morning after coming off our last segment of 10 miles. None the less, 20 High Liners headed out, with the support of the...
Hiking the High Line Canal Mile 38-29
High Line Canal Mile 38-29 Beautiful Cherry Hills People who enjoy Denver think they need to get up into the mountains to see amazing views. They couldn't be more wrong. This High Line Canal Segment 6 walk meandered through some of the prettiest places and views I've...
Hiking the High Line Canal Mile 47-36
High Line Canal Mile 47-36 Denver's Urban Core and Cherry Creek Respite 11 miles--that was our goal for this segment through Denver's urban core and through Cherry Creek--and we tackled it with finesse and grace. All 13 walkers on High Line Canal Segment 5 eagerly...
Hiking the High Line Canal Mile 54-47
High Line Canal Mile 54-47 Urban Aurora to Urban Denver All around us, thunderstorms threatened our attempt at High Line Canal Segment 4. But guess what, we had gorgeous walking weather. In partnership with the High Line Canal Conservancy and Walk2Connect, I am...
Hiking the High Line Canal Mile 62-42
High Line Canal Mile 62-52 Rural Aurora's Surprises Google said it was 7.5 miles, but our pedometers clocked us in at 8.92-10 miles. No matter how you count it, 10 walkers set out High Line Canal Segment 3 under 80 degree skies and light winds. And once again, we had...
Hiking the High Line Canal Mile 66-62
High Line Canal Mile 66-62 Green Valley Ranch's Incredible Views In partnership with Walk2Connect and the High Line Canal Conservancy, I'm leading groups of walkers on the High Line Canal in Denver until October, one segment at a time until we cover all 71 miles. For...
Hiking the High Line Canal Mile 71-66
Segment 1, Where's the Canal? Mile 71-66 This summer through fall, in partnership with the High Line Canal Conservancy and Walk2Connect, we are walking the High Line Canal in Denver. We have broken it up into 11 segments, averaging 6 miles a segment, but some segments...