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Beginner Guide

Beginner Hiking Trails in Denver, Arapahoe County, Colorado

New to hiking in this city? We filtered the 131 mapped trails in Denver, Arapahoe County, Colorado down to those rated easy — capped at six miles for the routes with a mapped distance — 131 trails that prioritize a good first experience over mileage or elevation.

← Beginner Guide for Arapahoe County

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best beginner hiking trail in Denver, Arapahoe County, Colorado?

12 Mile Trail (closed) is our top beginner pick in Denver, Arapahoe County, Colorado — easy difficulty, short and gentle enough for a first hike. 130 more beginner-friendly options are listed below.

What makes a trail beginner-friendly?

Easy OpenStreetMap difficulty classification (gentle terrain, well-marked, no technical sections) combined with a shorter distance — long enough to feel like a real hike, short enough to finish comfortably without prior conditioning.

Is hiking in Denver, Arapahoe County, Colorado good for beginners?

Yes — with 131 mapped easy, short trails, Denver, Arapahoe County, Colorado has more beginner-friendly options than a lot of areas get credit for.

How many beginner-friendly trails are there in Denver, Arapahoe County, Colorado?

131 of Denver, Arapahoe County, Colorado's 131 mapped trails are rated easy difficulty and six miles or under — see the full list below.