Hiking Trails in Vail, CO
Don’t forget to pack your hiking boots! Vail’s mountain location makes it the perfect place to explore the great outdoors on foot. There are enough hiking trails Vail, CO has to offer to keep any hiker satisfied, whether you’re looking for a quick warm-up jaunt to start your day or a full trek to round out the afternoon.
Vail Mountain offers trails that start at the base of the mountain as well as trails starting from the top that are accessible by taking the Eagle Bahn Gondola. Trails at Vail Mountain include:
- Berrypicker: A 3.2 mile (5.1km) intermediate trail starts at Lower Fireweed and heads down into Vail Village or LionsHead.
- Eagle’s Loop: a one-mile (1.6 km) loop with spectacular views of Mount of the Holy Cross.
- Fireweed: a one-mile (1.6 km) trail connection between Adventure Ridge and Mid-Vail.
- Grand Escape: Beautiful views on this 1.5-mile (2.4 km) trail and can be paired with Ridge Route for a loop hike.
- Ptarmigan Loop: 1.2-mile trail through the shade that connects with Ridge Route. This loop is as close to the summit of Mount of the Holy Cross that you can get.
- Ridge Route: Intermediate 1.5-mile climb from Adventure Ridge to Wildwood.
Trails with connections to Ridge Route can extend the length of these trails by more than four miles. If you’re staying on the trails in Vail Mountain, enjoy a morning hike and end with lunch at Talon’s Deck at Eagle’s Nest, in Adventure Ridge, and soak up the views of the 14,000 ft. Mount of the Holy Cross!
Vail Resort offers guided hiking tours of their trails at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. with hikes lasting about three hours. You can purchase a hiking only tour for $20, or combine the tour with a lift ticket for $37, or buy the tour, lift ticket and boxed lunch for $50 per person. Advanced reservations are recommended and can be made by calling (970) 754-8245.
Other trails in the East Vail area, like Bighorn Creek and Deluge Lake, can be accessed by the town’s free bus system. For a more complete description of the area and to view current conditions, we recommend consulting Trails.com or arranging a guided tour with a local business like Paragon Guides.
Be sure to bring sturdy shoes, sunscreen, and a sweater or raincoat as the temperature at the top can be at least 10 degrees cooler than the weather at the base.
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