Denver Orbital Trail

Get excellent information on this trail at the DOT website and at All Trails, which is working with DOT.  AllTrails has an overall map page plus map pages for each segment.  Every AllTrails segment page has route information, photos, maps, and downloadable GPX routes. 

The DOT site FAQ's are especially useful. They supply additional background and offer a printable tracking page for personal use..

The segments can be completed in any order, as a series of out-and-back hikes or as car shuttle trips.  An effort has been made to ensure there parking is available at each end of every segment. Segment 1 starts in Downtown Golden, using Lookout Mountain, and Apex Park.

In addition to the 28 segments, DOT has mapped a number of "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.

Leashed dogs are allowed along most of the route apart for the section through Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge on Segment 18. Likewise, bikes are allowed on much of the loop, but since this is primarily a hiking loop, you might have to make detours to avoid some trails and paths that do not allow bikes (like some of the singletrack trails in Red Rocks and Bear Creek Lake Park on Segments 2 and 3, along with the trails within the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge on Segment 18).

These segment names link directly to AllTrails.

Segment 1: Downtown Golden, Lookout Mountain, and Apex Park

Segment 2: Red Rocks Park

Segment 3: Downtown Morrison and Bear Creek Lake Park

Segment 4: Bear Creek Lake Park and C-470 trail

Segment 5: South Hogback Open Space, South Valley Park, and Deer Creek Canyon Park

Segment 6: Plymouth Mountain, Hildebrand Ranch Park, and Chatfield State Park

Segment 7: Chatfield State Park

Segment 8: Douglas County Open Space

Segment 9: Highlands Point and Big Dry Creek Trail

Segment 10: Bluffs Regional Park

Segment 11: East/West Regional Trail to Cherry Creek Trail

Segment 12: South Cherry Creek Trail

Segment 13: Cherry Creek Trail to Cherry Creek State Park
Segment 14: Cherry Creek Spillway, Horseshoe Park, and Toll Gate Creek Regional Trail
Segment 15: Toll Gate Creek Regional Trail to High Line Canal

Segment 16: High Line Canal, Morrison Nature Center, and Sand Creek Trail

Segment 17: High Line Canal to First Creek Trail

Segment 18: Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge
Segment 19: Northfield Greenways and Neighborhood Parks

Segment 20: Sand Creek to Platte River

Segment 21: Platte River Trail to Riverdale Regional Park

Segment 22: Horizon Tributary Trail to Lee Lateral Ditch and Signal Ditch Trails

Segment 23: Signal Ditch Trail, Hunters Glen Lake, and Big Dry Creek Trail

Segment 24: Big Dry Creek Trail: Front Range Community College to Wadsworth Parkway

Segment 25: Big Dry Creek to Standley Lake

Segment 26: Farmers & Croke Canals Trail through Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge

Segment 27: Majestic View Park, Ralston Creek Trail, and Blunn Reservoir

Segment 28: Fairmont Canal Trail to North Table Mountain, Tucker Gulch to Downtown Golden

• Suitable Activities: Biking, Hiking
• Seasons: Year-round
• Weather: View weather forecast

• Length: 177.5 mi
• Elevation Gain: 12,050 ft
• High Point: 7,545 ft

• Land Manager: Land Manager Varies
• Parking Permit Required: Other
• Recommended Party Size: 12
• Maximum Party Size: 12
• Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 12