MD-11
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Human-Machine Interface; Situational Awareness
Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT
Flight Crew FLC complied w / Automation / Advisory
Human Factors; Procedure; Environment - Non Weather Related; Airport; Chart Or Publication
Arriving from the southeast we reported the field in sight. Denver Approach cleared us for the visual Runway 35L; Runway 35L elevation is 5;434 so we descended to 7;000 MSL thinking it would give us 1;500 AGL ground clearance. Leveling at 7;000 MSL and about 5 miles from DYMON we noticed 1;000 AGL on the radar altimeter while; at the same time; Approach advised us his minimum vectoring altitude in that area was 7;200 MSL. We climbed to 7;200 and intercepted the glideslope at DYMON.Rising terrain southeast of the field; high field elevation; lack of terrain awareness.If on a visual approach check terrain to ensure there is not a conflict with your altitude and terrain when not on a portion of a published approach.
Given vectors off of a STAR for the ILS 35L; then direct DYMON [the FAF]; maintain 210; 8;000.  ATC asked us to call the field in sight more than once. We noticed a false glideslope; commented that we were not going to follow it; and then called the field in sight. ATC said; 'Cleared for the visual 35L; maintain 210 for now.'  Between ATC keeping us fast; and showing above the false glideslope; I figured losing a little energy would be good; so I went [to idle thrust and descended] to 7;000 MSL. The ILS 35L [altitude at the] FAF/DYMON is 7;000 FT (>1500 AFE). We noticed the terrain was a little higher out [where we were]; but [we believed we] would still have 1;000 AGL. ATC said LOW ALT ALERT; MVA 7;200. We climbed to 7;200 to stop ATC alerts. We never got below 1;000 RA; but looking at charts; might have been within 1;000/5 miles of a tower.More awareness of terrain features; better awareness of energy management as we could have remained at 8;000 MSL longer and still made a safe approach. Trying to fly a CDA [Continuous Descent Angle] would have been a better solution.
An MD-11 flight crew cleared for a night time visual approach to Runway 35L at DEN descended prematurely and generated a low altitude alert/below MVA from ATC.