Think you need to have the best gear, tons of time and your own car to experience Colorado’s great outdoors? Think again! Denver has a fantastic network of trails for hiking, walking, jogging and snowshoeing within city limits--most of which are easily accessible without a car. Denver Urban Hikes will introduce users to more than 80 miles of trails easily within reach from downtown Denver for quick and not-so-dirty jaunts during a lunch break or a layover. And although these routes are much more humble than the extreme backcountry peaks that Colorado is commonly known for, what they lack in elevation gain, sweeping vistas and physical demand they make up for by offering the simple pleasures of fresh air and nature to the masses on a daily basis.

Each hike includes trail GPS coordinates and waypoints, detailed hike descriptions, maps, and easy-to-find trailhead directions, along with excellent color photos and travel tips. Hit the trail (or the pavement) and explore Denver!

Katie Hearsum has been a freelance writer and adventure-curious Denver local for more than a decade. An avid hiker and snowshoer, she has explored everything from the well-groomed paths of Denver’s local and mountain parks to the rugged trails of Colorado’s famous “fourteener” routes, and even sections of the 3,100-mile Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. Along the way she has contributed articles about travel and the outdoors for a multitude of publications.