Heart-Pumping (and Not-So-Heart-Pumping) Hikes around Castle Pines

Anyone who lives at The Canyons™ will tell you that there’s no better place to be if you want to walk out your door and immediately hit the trails. We’re immensely proud of the community we’ve built that exists within nature and preserves its features, but you’ll find a whole lot more to explore if you’re willing to venture out a little further. Read on for our recommendations of nearby hiking spots fit for trailmasters and toddlers alike! 
 
Challenge Hill
Want to get your sweat on but only have a minute? We’ve got just the prescription: Challenge Hill. A smaller version of the famously grueling incline in Manitou Springs, don’t let its mere 200 steps fool you — The Challenge is deceptively difficult. Halfway up the incline the stairs narrow and get steeper, forcing you to push that much harder to reach the top. Don’t worry — once you summit, the effort will be more than worth it when you’re rewarded with a breathtaking view in every direction. 

The Trails at Phillip S. Miller Park
Though Challenge Hill is certainly the most extreme trail to be found at Phillip S. Miller Park, it’s far from the only one. With 10.5 miles of trails criss-crossing the ecologically diverse park, you’ll discover something skill-level appropriate for every hiker. More than two miles of the trails nearest the Miller Activity Center are paved and therefore more accessible for those with mobility aids, and the remainder of the options provide enough for many afternoons full of exploration. Consider cooling down from Challenge Hill on the Blue Loop or link some (or all) of the Blue, Red, Green, Gold and Purple Loops together to traverse up to seven miles of beautiful single-track pathways.

Daniels Park Trail
You don’t need to be committed to intense exercise to enjoy the trails around The Canyons™. The Daniels Park Trail is an ideal option for everyone from families with young children in strollers to serious trail runners looking for an easier day. The nearly six-mile out-and-back trail rarely exceeds a gentle 5% grade and provides access to the unique beauty that crops up where neighborhoods and nature come together. At the 1.6 mile mark be sure to keep an eye out for the bison grazing near the trail’s edge!

The Trails at Castlewood Canyon State Park
About 20 minutes away from The Canyons™ by car, Castlewood Canyon State Park will take (just a little) more effort to explore (but it’s totally worth the schlep). We recommend that you check out the Creek Bottom Trail for a trail that ends at a destination. After following Cherry Creek for two miles, the trail officially “ends” when it joins the Dam Trail — but it’s here that you’ll find the remains of a dam that failed nearly 100 years ago, flooding the surrounding area and letting loose enough water to eventually flood Denver. You can hike the Creek Bottom Trail out and back, or you can turn it into a loop by combining it with the Rim Rock Trail.

We love nothing more than being in nature, a philosophy we’ve let direct us every step of the way while constructing The Canyons™. If our love of nature aligns with your family’s needs, don’t hesitate to visit our community and model homes, so you can get into your perfect home!