What is it? Why should I walk it?
The Denver Orbital Trail, or DOT for short, is a new walking route that completely encircles Denver. We haven't built any new physical trails in the making of the DOT. Rather, we've defined this new circular route using existing streets, sidewalks, trails, and greenways across the entire region. We've walked it - we know firsthand how epic it is. Every segment has something to love. Whether you walk just one segment or set yourself a goal to walk all 28, you'll be a part of the DOT. Spend time outdoors, challenge yourself, come to see, know, and love Denver in all its facets, and enjoy the adventure!
What the DOT isn't: an owner or maintainer of any of the trails or segments. The DOT is an idea, an effort to get people out exploring great routes and trails around the region. These trails are all owned, maintained, and overseen by various organizations (public and private) who are entirely responsible for their condition. We've walked the whole Denver Orbital Trail and tried to accurately describe what we saw and experienced, but we can't vouch for any actual conditions you might find when you're out exploring. As always when you're walking, you should be aware of the terrain, wildlife, signage, weather, construction, and any other hazards. Please hike safely!
What the DOT isn't: an owner or maintainer of any of the trails or segments. The DOT is an idea, an effort to get people out exploring great routes and trails around the region. These trails are all owned, maintained, and overseen by various organizations (public and private) who are entirely responsible for their condition. We've walked the whole Denver Orbital Trail and tried to accurately describe what we saw and experienced, but we can't vouch for any actual conditions you might find when you're out exploring. As always when you're walking, you should be aware of the terrain, wildlife, signage, weather, construction, and any other hazards. Please hike safely!
Can you bike it?
For the most part: yes! The DOT was designed as a walking trail, so accounting for every bike restriction was not our first priority. That said, we encountered people on bikes almost every time we went out to walk the DOT. Of course, many of the mountain segments (28 and 1 through 6) will require mountain or hybrid bikes and will involve technical mountain biking on unpaved trails. Still, we saw people doing it! Please let us know if we're missing anything here. Below are the only restrictions on cycling we're aware of:
There are bike usage restrictions in Apex Park on Segment 1, but not on the trails the DOT uses, so you should be able to bike the whole thing.
On Segment 2, there may be bike restrictions on some trails in Red Rocks. That said, you could absolutely get through the park using parks roads as an alternative.
On Segment 3, the Owl Trail in Bear Creek Lake Park is hiker-only. That said, looks like all other trails are open to biking, meaning it'd be pretty easy to cycle a legal alternative.
Biking looks to be allowed on all other trails and segments between Segments 4 and 17. Segment 6 has a very challenging segment known as "The Wall," which is as steep as it sounds!
On Segment 18, in Rocky Mountain Arsenal, bikes aren't allowed on the trails north of 64th Ave, but you could easily stick to 64th Ave to reach the Visitor Center.
On Segment 28, at the top of North Table Mountain, there is a brief section that is very steep and requires some light scrambling. Might be tough on a bike. Otherwise, mountain biking is very popular on North Table.
There are bike usage restrictions in Apex Park on Segment 1, but not on the trails the DOT uses, so you should be able to bike the whole thing.
On Segment 2, there may be bike restrictions on some trails in Red Rocks. That said, you could absolutely get through the park using parks roads as an alternative.
On Segment 3, the Owl Trail in Bear Creek Lake Park is hiker-only. That said, looks like all other trails are open to biking, meaning it'd be pretty easy to cycle a legal alternative.
Biking looks to be allowed on all other trails and segments between Segments 4 and 17. Segment 6 has a very challenging segment known as "The Wall," which is as steep as it sounds!
On Segment 18, in Rocky Mountain Arsenal, bikes aren't allowed on the trails north of 64th Ave, but you could easily stick to 64th Ave to reach the Visitor Center.
On Segment 28, at the top of North Table Mountain, there is a brief section that is very steep and requires some light scrambling. Might be tough on a bike. Otherwise, mountain biking is very popular on North Table.
How fast can you do the DOT?
It's not a race! Take your time, set yourself a goal to walk, bike, run, jog, wheel, crawl, roll, saunter, ramble..... however you'd like!
That said, the fastest known time (FKT) that we're aware of is a relay team that recently completed the entire route in one go in 29 hours, 8 minutes, and 17 seconds!!
That said, the fastest known time (FKT) that we're aware of is a relay team that recently completed the entire route in one go in 29 hours, 8 minutes, and 17 seconds!!
Can you walk dogs on the DOT?
It's important to remember that the DOT isn't an owner or maintainer of any trails. We have simply defined a new walking route out of existing trails. You can walk your dog on the DOT if you could walk your dog on any of the existing trails the DOT uses. For the most part, that means yes, you can walk your dogs on the DOT.
Of course, we recommend you use caution in some areas, where you might come across rattlesnakes or coyotes. Some of the mountain segments are tough, but an energetic dog could do anything a person could! Some segments might not have a lot of water available; some segments might have a lot of other people, bikes, and dogs.
We believe the only segment where dogs are explicitly not allowed are within Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge on Segment 18.
Of course, we recommend you use caution in some areas, where you might come across rattlesnakes or coyotes. Some of the mountain segments are tough, but an energetic dog could do anything a person could! Some segments might not have a lot of water available; some segments might have a lot of other people, bikes, and dogs.
We believe the only segment where dogs are explicitly not allowed are within Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge on Segment 18.
What should I pack? What do I prepare for?
The segments have been designed to be done in a day or less. You don't need to pack anything special. Make sure you've brought water, snacks, and comfortable shoes. Bring layers and sunscreen - many of the segments are exposed to the elements with little shade. A full phone battery is nice, and a portable charger can't hurt if you've got one. And of course, your sense of adventure!
I wish there was a way to track my progress!
Excellent point! While we're trying to make it clear that you don't have to walk all 28 segments to successfully DOT, we recognize that many will set a goal to walk all 28, and that's great! To help you track your progress, we've developed a printable document that you can fill in as you go. In the future, we may have a digital option, but we like a little "old school" analog too!
What will I see on the DOT?What won't you see? There's so much to see on the DOT. Each segment is so different. Segment 2 takes you through the heart of the iconic Red Rocks amphitheater. Segment 7 follows along the shore of the gorgeous Chatfield Reservoir. Segment 10 makes you feel like you're in a whole other world, walking along the summit of some bluffs overlooking the region. Segment 16 showcases some hidden gems in Aurora, like lush greenways and nature preserves. Segment 18 crosses through the heart of Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge. The view across Standley Lake on Segment 25 is unforgettable. North Table Mountain is stunning, and you'll go all through it on Segment 28.
You'll encounter mountain vistas, lakeshore trails, neighborhood greenways, historic canals, prairie dog towns, prairie grassland, lush forest, and more. A true adventure. Something for everyone. |
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How hard is it?
The segments vary in difficulty. Over three-quarters of the segments are rated easy or moderate, according to the difficulty calculations that the National Park Service uses. These difficulty ratings are based on how long the route is, and how much elevation gain you'll encounter.
Many segments are flat and entirely rely on paved greenways. Some have a few challenging spots. Some are very challenging, involving hikes up mountains over uneven surfaces with steep ascents/descents and large drop-offs. If you walk the whole thing, you will have climbed more than 12,000 feet in elevation over 177 miles.
Most segments will be dry year-round. Some might get muddy and slippery.
Each segment is different. To help get a sense of what you're signing yourself up for, we've provided full descriptions to go with each segment on the 28 Segments page.
The DOT is not hazardous, but you should use good situational awareness of other people, animals, and your surroundings, noting things such as steep drop-offs or uneven surfaces. (We encountered a few snakes, coyotes, and other animals when we walked the DOT, for example).
We can't guarantee the current status of the trail, and we can't guarantee you won't encounter roadblocks. We can only describe what the trail was like when we walked it, and we've done our best to do just that.
As always, be sure to consult local regulations before walking. For example, Deer Creek Canyon Park is currently closed (Read more here). Do not try to walk through parks that are closed!
Many segments are flat and entirely rely on paved greenways. Some have a few challenging spots. Some are very challenging, involving hikes up mountains over uneven surfaces with steep ascents/descents and large drop-offs. If you walk the whole thing, you will have climbed more than 12,000 feet in elevation over 177 miles.
Most segments will be dry year-round. Some might get muddy and slippery.
Each segment is different. To help get a sense of what you're signing yourself up for, we've provided full descriptions to go with each segment on the 28 Segments page.
The DOT is not hazardous, but you should use good situational awareness of other people, animals, and your surroundings, noting things such as steep drop-offs or uneven surfaces. (We encountered a few snakes, coyotes, and other animals when we walked the DOT, for example).
We can't guarantee the current status of the trail, and we can't guarantee you won't encounter roadblocks. We can only describe what the trail was like when we walked it, and we've done our best to do just that.
As always, be sure to consult local regulations before walking. For example, Deer Creek Canyon Park is currently closed (Read more here). Do not try to walk through parks that are closed!
Can you walk the DOT year-round?
Many segments will be accessible year-round. Conditions will vary, of course, and you'll encounter different experiences and challenges over the course of the year.
In the winter, snow doesn't really stick around, and many of the neighborhood greenway segments will be perfectly fine for walking. Some of the mountain segments will be icy, slippery, and muddy. Jefferson County closes some of its parks when it gets very muddy for visitor protection, and you might encounter trail closures as a result. We recommend checking the webpage for the park in question, such as Matthews / Winters Park for up-to-date trail information before heading out. That said, we've walked many segments successfully year-round.
During the summertime, many of the segments are pretty unshaded, so you might like to start early and avoid walking on the hottest days.
In the winter, snow doesn't really stick around, and many of the neighborhood greenway segments will be perfectly fine for walking. Some of the mountain segments will be icy, slippery, and muddy. Jefferson County closes some of its parks when it gets very muddy for visitor protection, and you might encounter trail closures as a result. We recommend checking the webpage for the park in question, such as Matthews / Winters Park for up-to-date trail information before heading out. That said, we've walked many segments successfully year-round.
During the summertime, many of the segments are pretty unshaded, so you might like to start early and avoid walking on the hottest days.
How can I learn more about the accessibility of each segment?
We haven't specifically kept track of the accessibility of each segment. One thing that may be helpful, however, is that we've pulled together Google Photos albums of every picture we took on each segment. This should give a pretty comprehensive look at everything you'll encounter on your journey, at least as of the time we walked it. Take a look here.
We can't guarantee the current status of the trail, and can't guarantee you won't encounter roadblocks. We can only illustrate what the trail was like when we walked it, and we've done our best to do just that.
We can't guarantee the current status of the trail, and can't guarantee you won't encounter roadblocks. We can only illustrate what the trail was like when we walked it, and we've done our best to do just that.
The segments all start and end in different places. What do you recommend?
We recommend a couple things for you here.
When we walked a segment alone, we relied on RTD connections wherever possible. We've included transit directions to the start and end points with each segment on the 28 Segments page.
When it wasn't possible, we used Uber/Lyft to get back to the start/end point. Another option would be to walk half the segment and double back to where you started.
When we walked with others, we parked one car at the start and one car at the end of a segment.
Another option to consider is our "Sub-orbital" trails, or shorter loop walks that are half on the DOT and half off it, allowing for an easier introduction to the DOT. We've mapped dozens of sub-orbitals all around the DOT. We haven't walked all of them and can't vouch for their quality, but you might be interested in trying them! If you do, let us know how it goes here.
When we walked a segment alone, we relied on RTD connections wherever possible. We've included transit directions to the start and end points with each segment on the 28 Segments page.
When it wasn't possible, we used Uber/Lyft to get back to the start/end point. Another option would be to walk half the segment and double back to where you started.
When we walked with others, we parked one car at the start and one car at the end of a segment.
Another option to consider is our "Sub-orbital" trails, or shorter loop walks that are half on the DOT and half off it, allowing for an easier introduction to the DOT. We've mapped dozens of sub-orbitals all around the DOT. We haven't walked all of them and can't vouch for their quality, but you might be interested in trying them! If you do, let us know how it goes here.
Did I see you in the media?
Yes! We're so grateful for local media for highlighting the DOT. You may have seen us on...
Outside Magazine: Instant Urban Hikes Are Popping Up in U.S. Cities
Fox 31 news: This 177-mile trail circles the entire Denver metro; Golden resident with a love of walking creates 177-mile trail orbiting Denver
9 News: Denver Orbital Trail offers a way for people to walk 177-mile circle around the metro area
Westword: Urban Hikers Can Circle the City on the 177-Mile Denver Orbital Trail
GearJunkie: 177-Mile ‘Denver Orbital Trail’ Offers City-Accessible Thru-Hike
The Lakewood Informer: Exciting New Hiking Network Unveiled – The ‘Denver Orbital Trail (DOT)’ Encircles Entire Metro!
Outside Magazine: Instant Urban Hikes Are Popping Up in U.S. Cities
Fox 31 news: This 177-mile trail circles the entire Denver metro; Golden resident with a love of walking creates 177-mile trail orbiting Denver
9 News: Denver Orbital Trail offers a way for people to walk 177-mile circle around the metro area
Westword: Urban Hikers Can Circle the City on the 177-Mile Denver Orbital Trail
GearJunkie: 177-Mile ‘Denver Orbital Trail’ Offers City-Accessible Thru-Hike
The Lakewood Informer: Exciting New Hiking Network Unveiled – The ‘Denver Orbital Trail (DOT)’ Encircles Entire Metro!
What inspired it?The DOT is very much the result of many earlier efforts.
We're indebted to the work of organizations promoting other orbital trails, including the London LOOP and Greater Manchester Ringway, both in the UK. The Ouray Perimeter Trail is a bit closer to our neck of the woods! In the US, urban hiking is enjoying a new renaissance. The San Francisco Crosstown Trail and the Boston Walking City Trail are both exciting efforts to showcase how enjoyable it can be to explore a city on foot. We sincerely hope the DOT can do the same for you! |
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Who are you grateful for?
We are grateful to the Denver Community Active Living Coalition (a partnership of Denver Streets Partnership and Department of Transportation and Infrastructure) for providing a generous grant to support the development of the DOT.
Our logo is by Courney LaPointe. See her portfolio here. She's great!
We're also grateful to many partners and organizations who own and maintain the trails that the DOT uses. You can read more on each organization's website:
Our logo is by Courney LaPointe. See her portfolio here. She's great!
We're also grateful to many partners and organizations who own and maintain the trails that the DOT uses. You can read more on each organization's website:
- Jefferson County Trails
- Denver Mountain Parks - Red Rocks Park
- City of Lakewood - Bear Creek Lake Park
- Colorado State Parks
- Douglas County Open Space and Trails
- High Line Canal Conservancy
- City of Aurora Trails
- Sand Creek Regional Greenway
- Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge
- City of Thornton Parks, Open Space, and Trails
- City of Westminster Big Dry Creek Trail
- City of Westminster Standley Lake Regional Park
- Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge
- City of Arvada Trails