Boulder Creek Path with a loop

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Difficulty: Easy
Length: 7.1 miles / 11.4 km
Duration: 1-3 hours

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Overview: In a town that loves its trails and alternative forms of transportation, the Boulder Creek Path is the perfect defining landmark. This trail also symbolizes the state of Colorado since it start in the plains and ends in the mountains; it also runs through both rural and urban landscapes.

This trail is also commonly known as the Boulder Bike Path and gets fairly heavy use by bicyclists, trail-runners, and walkers. If you prefer lots of social interaction, then you'll love this trail on weekends when it is quite busy, especially in the downtown Boulder area. If you prefer peace and quiet, stick to the eastern end of the trail, and try to make it on weekdays; although it gets quite a bit of use as a commuting trail all week long.

This trail offers great access to parks, shopping, Boulder Creek activities, seasonal fairs, the library, a museum, Boulder Canyon, and the University of Colorado. It also makes a great trail for walking dogs, inline skating, recumbent riding, and people-watching.

Tips: If you ride this trail from east to west, you'll get to enjoy the downhill portion on the second half of your trip.
The Boulder Farmers Market is located on 13th Street between Arapahoe and Canyon and is next to Central Park in downtown Boulder. It is located very close to the trail and on some days actually spills over onto the trail. It is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays from early April to early October.
If you walk a dog on this trail, please be sure to keep it on leash.
If you are biking this trail, please keep your speed in check. It is a heavily used path and there are many twists and turns.
Pay close attention to the trail markings as there are certain areas where the path is separated into pedestrians only and bikers only.

Points of Interest

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loop junction

At this point, you can go east and do the short loop portion of the trail or go west to continue on the main Boulder Creek Path.

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resting spot

This nice little rest area has benches and a drinking fountain.

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side paths

Small side paths abound on this trail including separate trails for pedestrians and bicyclists in some areas.

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30th Street underpass

Even though this trail goes through a major urban corridor, all road crossings are via underpasses so that trail users don't have to cross any major streets.

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Safeway access

If you need trail munchies, you can reach a grocery store by leaving the trail and heading north at this point. There is also a bike shop in the same strip mall area as the grocery store, in case you are having bicycle issues.

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Millennium Harvest House Boulder

This hotel is located right next to the trail. There are also tennis courts here.

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University of Colorado

This part of the trail runs through a portion of the CU campus. The athletics practice field is to the north and the main campus is to the south. You can find two different spur paths in this area for accessing the campus.

trail rest bench near Boulder Creek.jpg Photo

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The Connecting Point

This is a good trail spot to access Boulder High School, downtown Boulder, and the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art.

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Boulder Public Library

At this point, you actually cross under a portion of the Boulder Library. This is also a good place to rest, relax, and people watch.

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Boulder Canyon

You are now in the Foothills of the Colorado mountains as you enter Boulder Canyon and follow Boulder Canyon Drive. From here to the western end of the trail, the trail alternates between concrete and gravel with more of the latter.

Boulder Creek Path gravel portion.jpg Photo

Boulder Canyon Drive underpass.jpg Photo

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Western Terminus of Trail

This is the far western end of the trail. You will probably either start or end you ride/hike/run at this point. There is limited parking here just off Boulder Canyon Drive. There are also portable restrooms here.

Boulder Creek Path western trailhead.jpg Photo

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doggy junction

For you dog lovers, you'll probably enjoy seeing plenty of pooches at this point. A small spur trail that comes from the Boulder Valley Humane Society joins the trail here. Volunteers from the "Tails on Trails" program can often be seen w/ the leashed recipients of their benevolence.
The trail passes between Pearl St. and a small pond at this point.

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Stazio Fields

Stazio Fields are located in East Boulder and can be accessed from either Valmont Road or Arapahoe Avenue. There is usually ample parking here unless there is a major tournament or some other event taking place.

eastern end of Boulder Creek Path.JPG Photo

Pictures in this guide taken by: trailsnet, www.trailsnet.com

How does this work?

This is such a great guide! And always great to see so much love for the Boulder Creek Path - for locals and our guests - here's another article - http://bit.ly/cJ29Ur

by boulderareabicycleadventures on Sep 14, 2010

Boulder Area Bicycle Adventures looks like an awesome company for those of you looking for fun bike rides in the Boulder, CO area. Check out their website.

by trailsnet on Sep 14, 2010