Golden’s paved trail system just got even more memorable with a new suspension bridge the restoration of a wooden flume, new trailheads and more.
The Gateway Segment of Clear Creek Canyon Park, the much anticipated 1.75 miles of new paved biking and hiking trail along Clear Creek in Golden, Colo. recently opened.. Visitors will now be able to walk, run and bike this spectacular new trail, which clings to rock cliffs as it travels up into scenic Clear Creek Canyon.
You will find:
- Nearly two miles of new trail
- Three new bridge crossings over Clear Creek (including an exciting pedestrian-only suspension bridge)
- The restoration of a half-mile of the historic Welch Ditch wooden flume
- Two new trailheads with parking for 177 cars, two new public restrooms
- A new lookout/observation point and the widening of Hwy. US 6 to include turn lanes to access parking areas.
The new trail will start at the pedestrian Grant-Terry Bridge and follow the creek 1.75 miles into Clear Creek Canyon up to Tunnel 1. Here, the first pedestrian suspension bridge in Jefferson County will connect to the Clear Creek Trail and offer an additional half-mile hiking-only trail along a rock cliff following the restored historic Welch Ditch wooden flume. “Clear Creek flows through the center of historic downtown Golden and has always been the focal point of the town, but now we can offer a total of more than 5 miles of roundtrip, car-free, paved hiking and biking trail along the creek up into a gorgeous canyon,” said Rick Muriby of Visit Golden. “The new trail is just an easy stroll from Golden’s many outdoor cafes, beer gardens, restaurants, food halls, one-of-a-kind shops, live music venues and museums.”
The new trail is an important addition to the Peaks to Plains Trail, a legacy project that will one day be a 65-mile paved trail along Clear Creek running from the junction with the South Platte Trail in Denver all the way to the headwaters of the creek at Eisenhower Tunnel. Eventually, the trail will gain 5,600 feet in elevation, connecting four counties and seven cities. The trail already runs from Denver to Golden and will now extend from the plains up into Clear Creek Canyon. An additional section of 4 miles of paved trail in Clear Creek Canyon opened in 2016-17, 11 miles west of Golden on Hwy. 6.
NEW GATEWAY TRAIL IS THE THIRD NEW ADDITION NEAR GOLDEN’S CLEAR CREEK IN 2021
The new trail addition and 170-space parking area is the third big project along Clear Creek in Golden to open in recent months. In April 2021, the Golden Mill opened on the banks of the creek. The multi-level food hall offers four dining options ranging from sushi to BBQ, ice cream to international chicken with indoor and outdoor tables, live music, and stunning views of the creek and North and South Table Mountains. In July 2021, the Eddy Taproom & Hotel opened a stone’s throw from Clear Creek with 49 hotel rooms, a restaurant, and an outdoor beer garden overlooking the creek. Try some amazing barbecue and milkshakes from their Truck Eddy, easily accessed from the Clear Creek Trail.
Additional Ways for Colorado Kids to Get Outdoors
Denver’s Best Hikes for Families
South Platte River Trail’s 25+ best parks, trails, restaurants and museums
Colorado’s best farm tours and U-pick farms
Your guide to Denver’s best street art
Author: Mile High Mamas
