Centennial Link Trail

Colorado

1 Reviews

The Centennial Link Trail, parts of which were formerly known as the Little Dry Creek Trail, lives up to its name by providing a useful link between the outskirts of Littleton and Centennial, forming a vital connection in the area's fantastic system of off-road trails. Along it's route, the trail serves numerous local parks and schools, giving residents a safe and pleasant way to move about the suburban landscape.

The trail begins in the west right near the junction of the High Line Canal Trail and the Big Dry Creek Trail in deKoevend Park, offering trail users the chance to continue west towards Littleton or south along the outskirts of Centennial. The trail heads north along University Blvd for a brief jaunt, then turns to the east to travel along a utility corridor through a quiet, residential area. The trail passes next to Peabody Elementary School (a useful feature for local families) before continuing on the side of E Caley Avenue. To the south, the green expanse of the Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens offers a contemplative break from the landscape of suburban homes, before the trail crosses the road and continues north across Orchard Road

At this point, the trail links up with the Little Dry Creek, as well as another portion of the High Line Canal Trail, and begins to follow the path of the small creek as it winds its way to the southeast. The trail passes through Heritage Village Park and the adjacent Lois Lenski Elementary School, and continues east to the wide-open grassland of Holly Park. Stay to the right to cross Arapahoe Road, where the trail continues along the sidepath on the south side of the roadway behind quiet suburban cul-de-sacs. Users may also head south alongside Homestead Parkway on the Willow Creek Greenbelt Trail, which continues on deep into the southern reaches of Centennial. Following the road is not the most scenic of routes, but the trail eventually returns to the path of the creek, coursing southeast past Walnut Hills Elementary School before coming to an end in Walnut Hills Park.

An important recent addition to the area's trails system, the Centennial Link Trail may not offer much in the way of natural beauty, but it offers a highly convenient means of accessing local parks and schools, and helps to connect the communities of Centennial and Littleton.

Parking and Trail Access

Parking is available at the trail's western end inside deKoevend Park off of University Blvd, at Heritage Village Park off of E Fair Drive, and at Holly Park off of S Krameria Way. Additional on-street parking may be available along the trail's route; be sure to obey any posted signs and warnings.

To reach the western trailhead at deKoevend Park from the direction of Denver, take I-25 south towards Centennial. Follow signs for Exit 205 to University Blvd, and stay right to continue south onto University Blvd. Continue south along University Blvd through the University of Denver and proceed for several miles until you cross E Orchard Road. The parking lot for the park will be on your left across from the intersection with E Weaver Ave.