HIKING
Vail Mountain and Gondola Accessed Trails
Vail Mountain is a great place to enjoy a hike, with trails starting from the base areas as well as the top of Gondola One and Eagle Bahn Gondola (#19).
If you are planning on taking the scenic gondola ride up the mountain to hiking. Purchase your scenic gondola ticket below!
Below, learn about our trails and find the right hike for you! Before you go, download the Vail Summer Trail map.
Please note portions of trails may be closed or rerouted throughout the summer, and we ask that you follow all posted signage.
FREE Guided Nature Hikes
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Join a Walking Mountains Naturalist for an educational hike through the forest atop Vail Mountain beginning at the Nature Discovery Center. For those looking for a more adventurous time, join us for a more strenuous, 2-mile guided hike beginning at the Nature Discovery Center to explore our mountain ecosystems.
VAIL TRAIL DESCRIPTIONS
TRAIL NAME | DIFFICULTY | DISTANCE (MI) | ELEVATION GAIN (FT) |
---|---|---|---|
MEADOW LOOP | EASY | 2.1 | 482 |
GRAND ESCAPE |
MODERATE |
1.3 |
643 |
KINNINKINNICK | MODERATE | 1.2 | 733 |
PTARMIGAN LOOP | MODERATE | 1.0 | 119 |
RIDGE ROUTE | MODERATE | 1.3 | 648 |
STRAWBERRY LANE | MODERATE | 1.3 | 717 |
SUNLIGHT | MODERATE | 0.8 | 304 |
CABIN TRAIL | MODERATE/DIFFICULT | 2.1 | 1,600 |
BERRY PICKER | MODERATE/DIFFICULT | 3.2 | 2,200 |
HIKING TRAILS
TRAIL NAME | DIFFICULTY | DISTANCE (MI) | ELEVATION GAIN (FT) |
---|---|---|---|
MEADOW LOOP | EASY | 2.1 | 482 |
GRAND ESCAPE |
MODERATE |
1.3 |
643 |
KINNINKINNICK | MODERATE | 1.2 | 733 |
PTARMIGAN LOOP | MODERATE | 1.0 | 119 |
RIDGE ROUTE | MODERATE | 1.3 | 648 |
STRAWBERRY LANE | MODERATE | 1.3 | 717 |
SUNLIGHT | MODERATE | 0.8 | 304 |
CABIN TRAIL | MODERATE/DIFFICULT | 2.1 | 1,600 |
BERRY PICKER | MODERATE/DIFFICULT | 3.2 | 2,200 |
Hiking Trails Surrounding Vail
- Bighorn Creek
- Booth Creek
- Deluge Lake
- Gore Creek
- Pitkin Creek
- Cortina Lane to Buffehr Creek
- Buffehr Creek to Red Sandstone
- Red Sandstone to Son of Middle Creek
- Trappers Run
- Upper Piney River
- Lost Lake