BIKING AT VAIL

Vail is an amazing location for mountain biking. Miles of scenic trails are accessible on Vail via the Eagle Bahn and Gondola One - and the adventurous can always ride up the mountain. With plenty of trails for every type of bike rider, Vail mountain offers up adventure, challenge, and enjoyment for families, first timers, experts, and everyone in between.


Trail Information

On Mountain Trails served by the Gondola Bike Haul

A listing of trails for mountain biking in Vail, including the on-mountain trails that can be accessed by riding up the Gondolas and a selection of local trails for the more experienced mountain bikers.
 
Village Trail
  • Rating: Green
  • A two-way dirt road navigating the eastern side of Vail Mountain between Mid-Vail and Vail Village. Beautiful views of the town and Gore Range. 5.8 miles (9.3 km)
Lower Lucy's Loop
  • Rating: Green
  • Beginner bike trail between Mid-Vail and Eagle's Nest. 1.6 miles (2.5 km) round-trip
Cub's Way
  • Rating: Green 
  • Dirt road beginner option connecting Lion Down to Gitalong Road. 1.0 miles (1.6 km)
Gitalong Road
  • Rating: Green
  • A pleasant winding dirt road from Eagle's Nest or Mid-Vail to Vail Village. 5 miles (8 km)
South 6 
  • Rating: Blue
  • This single-track off Village Trail is an option for intermediate bikers - 0.75 miles (1.2 km)
Hank's Hideaway
  • Rating: Blue 
  • A challenging, winding single-track through aspen groves with an option at the end to return to Vail Village (requires some climbing) or Lionshead. 2 miles (3.2 km)
Fred's Lunch
  • Rating: Blue
  • Classic single-track mixing tight, wooded sections with open meadows that leads from Mid-Vail to lower Gitalong Road, providing spectacular views. 2.2 miles (3.6 km)
Grand Traverse 
  • Rating: Blue 
  • Vail's signature single-track traverses the Back Bowls from Eagle's Nest, offering excellent views of Mt. of the Holy Cross. 4 miles (6.4 km) one-way.
Lion Down
  • Rating: Blue
  • Intermediate descending option from Eagle's Nest to Lionshead. This winding dirt road through aspen forests becomes single- and double-track at Gitalong Road. 6 miles (9.7 km)
Mid-Vail Escape 
  • Rating: Blue
  • Open single- and double-track that takes you from the top of Vail Mountain to Mid-Vail with spectacular views of the Gore Range. 2.2 miles (3.5km)
 
FREERIDE BIKING TRAILS:
 
WARNING! Freeride bike trails are not for hiking and cross-country biking. Freeride bikes, equipment and pads are highly recommended for use on freeride-specific trails. These are not the same as cross-country trails. They are more technical and require the use of different equipment and skills.
 
Big Mamba
  • Rating: Blue
  • An exhilarating combination of flowing rollers and smooth switchbacks that will take you across open meadows, into dense pine forests, and through sunny aspen groves. 2.7 miles (4.3 km)
Radio Flyer 
  • Rating: Blue
  • Dozens of banked turns and rollers wind from Eagle's Nest down through Vail's lodgepole pine forests. 1.7 miles (2.7 km)
Magic Forest
  • Rating: Black
  • Starting east of Eagle's Nest, this single-track winds its way through the woods with several drop-offs and challenging terrain features. 0.8 miles (1.3 km)
Mane Lane
  • Rating: Black 
  • Challenging single-track with some technical elements and banked turns. 0.7 miles (1.1 km)
Onza Alley
  • Rating: Black
  • A difficult single-track with narrow, steep sections over roots and rocks. 0.5 miles (0.8 km)
PMT
  • Rating: Double Black
  • Steep, technical, and fast single-track with technical elements descending from Eagle's Nest. 1.3 miles (2.1 km)
Old 9 Line
  • Rating: Double Black
  • Extremely steep and technical with numerous drops and features, startling below Magic Forest. 0.4 miles (0.6 km)
Trail Information

Trails near Vail, not served by Gondolas or Ski Patrol

Along with excellent trails on Vail Mountain, mountain bike trails can be found elsewhere in the Vail Valley in the White River National Forest. These are not located on Vail Mountain and are not maintained by Vail. Here are a few popular trailheads within a short bike ride of Vail Village or Lionshead - for a full list and maps in the area, visit the Vail White River National Forest Mountain Bike Trails page.

 

  • Vail Pass Bike Path - An easy, paved trail from Vail to top of Vail Pass
  • Buffehr Creek - A difficult trail across I-70 from Vail Mountain
  • Davos Hill Climb - Located in West Vail, Davos is a great workout and only moderately technical
  • North Trail Buffehr Creek to Red Sandstone - A popular section of the North Trail system across from Vail Mountain
  • Red Sandstone Road - A 10 mile dirt road leading to Piney Lake
  • Son of Middle Creek - A more difficult section of the popular North Trail system

 
 Experienced mountain biker? Check out the Vail Recreation District's mountain bike race series which runs throughout the summer on Wednesday nights on a variety of local trails, on mountain and off. 

 

Guided Mountain Bike Tours are a great way to explore the mountain and trails for those not comfortable finding your way down the mountain via the trail map.
Join an experienced guide for an exhilarating journey down Vail Mountain’s network of mountain bike trails. Rates are dependent on your needs - visit the ticket offices at the base of either Gondola One in Vail Village or the Eagle Bahn Gondola in Lionshead or call 970-SKI-VAIL (754-8245) to reserve.
Biking

Rentals

Don't have a bike? No problem: rent bikes, helmets, and other gear from the Vail Sports locations in Vail Village and Lionshead or one of many other local shops. To get to the top of the mountain, so you only have to ride downhill, you can purchase a special bike haul ticket for the gondola. Mountain biking around Vail is the perfect way to add a memorable experience to your summer vacation!
  
Vail Sports Locations: