The High Line Canal is an old ditch turned long shady trail

One of the longest walks in the Denver area follows the bank of a canal that is more than a century old.

The High Line Canal was dug in the 1880s to carry river water for irrigation. It curves gently across the landscape because it follows the high ground and drops only a little each mile, letting gravity move the water. Denver Water owned and ran the canal for generations, and its banks have become a long trail that winds through many cities and neighborhoods across the metro area. In recent years, ownership and care of parts of the corridor have been shifting to local government partners, so the agency in charge can differ from one stretch to the next.

The path is mostly flat and shaded by old cottonwood trees, which makes it a calm route for walking, running, and biking. Because it crosses so many jurisdictions, not every mile is paved or open in the same way.

One thing to know: the canal does not always carry water anymore, and where it does, flows can be limited or seasonal. The corridor now also helps catch stormwater.

Why care: it is a quiet, low-effort way to get outside without leaving town.

For maps and access, start with Denver Water’s High Line Canal information.