Vail Mountain Activities

Hiking

This is one of the Vail Valley's most popular summer activities. It's free, as easy or strenuous as you want to make it, and the views are unprecedented. Hiking trail maps will guide you along marked trails, or take one of the guided nature hikes with expert local guides for all ages and ability levels. Hiking on Vail Mountain is Awesome.

Ride the Vail chair lift or gondola up and hike around Vail Mountain or venture outside the Vail Valley to tackle one of Colorado's famous fourteeners. Even though the altitude can take some getting used to, the Vail Valley has trails for beginners, children, and elderly hikers.

Just make sure to pile on the sunscreen, bring lots of water, and pack an extra layer for when the sun goes down.

View the 2012 Vail Summer Trail Map.

Vail Mountain Hiking Trails:

Eagle's Loop: Green-- Short ridge-top loop with great views of Mount of the Holy Cross - 1 mile (1.6 km), 15-20 minutes
Lower Fireweed: Green-- Beautiful wooded trail between Eagle's Nest and Mid-Vail - 1 mile (1.6 km), 30-40 minutes, loop with Upper Fireweed - 2.2 miles (3.5 km), 1 - 1.5 hours
BerryPicker: Blue-- Starting at Lower Fireweed, this intermediate trail winds down from Mid-Vail or Eagle's Nest to Vail Village or LionsHead, picnic at Minnie's Deck along the way - 4.6 miles (7.4 km), 2-3 hours.
Kinnickinnick: Blue -- A wooded trail connecting Ridge Route at Wildwood and heads to Mid-Vail - 2 miles (3.2 km), 2 hours, combine with Ridge Route - 3.4 miles (5.5 km), 3.5-4 hours
Ptarmigan Loop: Blue -- Scenic trail through shaded woods connecting with Ridge Route at Wildwood to Ptarmigan Point and back - 1.2 miles (1.9 km), 30-40 minutes, loop with Ridge Route - 4 miles (4.2 km), 2.5-3 hours
Ridge Route: Blue -- Intermediate ridge climb from Eagle's Nest to Wildwood and back with spectacular views - 2.8 miles (4.5km), 1.5-2 hours
Sunlight: Blue -- Beautiful trail connecting Ridge Route and Kinnickinnick at Wildwood finishing at Patrol Headquarters - 1.5 miles (2.4 km), 1 hour, length with connecting trails varies - 3.5-4.5 miles (5.6-7.2 km), 2.5-3 hours
Bad Simba: Black -- Steep side trail formerly part of LionsHead Loop - .75 miles (1.2 km)

View Vail's mountain safety information here.

Mountain Biking

Colorado offers some of the best mountain biking in the country, with trails for first time riders up to experienced mountain bikers. The amazing Vail scenery and Colorado sunshine make this summer activity a favorite for tourists and locals alike.

Vail has hosted two Mountain Bike World Championships and offers some of the most interesting and challenging trails around.

Families enjoy riding the gondola or chairlift and exploring the forest on bike. Guests can also add a mountaintop picnic as part of their daytime Colorado adventure.

Vail hosts a plethora of bike shops with experienced technicians available to set you up with the appropriate gear to rent or buy.

See our chairlift rides page for pricing and information on bike haul tickets.

View the 2012 Vail Summer Trail Map

vail mountain biking trails

Eagle's Loop: Green.Great for the beginner biker with scenic vistas and access from the Eagle Bahn Gondola - 1 mile (1.6 km)
Upper Fireweed: Green. A beautiful bike trail for beginners from Adventure Ridge to Mid-Vail - 1.2 miles (1.9 km)
Cub's Way: Green. Gravel road connecting Fred's Lunch to Lion Down - 1.5 miles (2.4 km)
Village Trail: Green. Longest and most pleasant route on the mountain - a winding gravel road that traverses the mountain in a descent - 7 miles (11.3 km)
Gitalong Road: Blue - due to high traffic. An alternative to Village Trail with a pleasant winding gravel road most of the way - 5 miles (8 km)
Fred's Lunch: Blue. An alternating single and double track path that leads from Mid-Vail down the mountain, providing spectacular views - 3.2 miles (4.8 km)
Grand Traverse: Blue. Vail's signature trail crossing the Back Bowls, starts easy and becomes more difficult, accessed from Adventure Ridge or the Wildwood connector - 5.3 miles (8.5 km)
South 6 Escape: Blue. This single track off Village Trail is a challenging option for intermediate bikers - .75 miles (1.2 km)
Lion Down: Blue. Downhill all the way from Adventure Ridge on this beautiful, winding single track through groves of Aspen trees - 6 miles (9.7 km)
Mid-Vail Escape: Black. Challenging single and double track that takes you from the top of Kloser's Klimb to Mid-Vail with spectacular views of the Gore Range - 2.2 miles (3.5 km)
Kloser's Klimb: Black. A grueling 1,000 foot climb from Adventure Ridge to Patrol Headquarters - 2.4 miles (3.9 km)
Onza Alley: Black. Most difficult loop with single track, 4x4 roads, steep descents and a 1,000 foot climb - 4 miles (6.6 km)

The following are Downhill biking trails:

Magic Forest: Black. Startes at Adventure Ridge nad works its way down to Cubs Way. This single- track winds its way through the woods with several drop-offs and challenging terrain features- 1.2 miles (1.9km)
Mane Lane: Black. Formerly part of the Lionshead Loop, this is a steep single track which can be used as a side route on Lion Down- 0.6 miles (1km)
PMT: Double Black: Steep rhythmical single- track with some technical elements - 1.2 (1.9km)
Old Nine Line: Double Black. Very steep and technical with varied terrain and lots of rhythm. Downhill gear necessary- 0.75 miles (1.25km)
'94 Downhill: Double Black. The 1994 World Cup Dodwnhill race course is a difficult, steep and technical single-track, Experts only- 3.8miles (6.1km)

View Eagle County Mountain Biking Trails Here

Visit Vail Velo, a new website and local organization dedicated to providing up to date information on road and mountain biking in the Vail Valley.

For mountain bike riders of all ages and abilities, visit Vail Mountain Bike Camps homepage to find out information on summer camps. Participants learn the basics of mountain biking, safety, and bike maintenance while making new friends all in the beautiful Colorado wilderness.

Bike Rentals

Call our friendly concierge to make a reservation today: 970-476-0882

Chairlift Rides

Vail opens the Eagle Bahn Gondola out of Lionshead Village and the Vista Bahn out of Vail Village during the summer months. The gondola takes you to Eagle's Nest where guests can enjoy dining, Adventure Ridge, a frisbee golf course, hiking, and biking trails. The Vista Bahn takes guests up to mid-Vail for a variety of hiking and biking trails.

Summer 2012 Lift & Bike Haul Ticket Pricing

Scenic Rides:

Adult 1 Day Scenic Ride (13-64 years old) - $22
Child 1 Day Scenic Ride - Free*
Senior 1 Day Scenic Ride (65+) - $15

Twilight Scenic Ride (All ages 4pm-9pm Thurs - Sat) - Free Or $15 with $10 credit (good at Talon's Deck or Adventure Ridge)

Please note: Unlimited rides for the day. All winter Passholders get free Scenic Rides.
*Max. 3 children per paying adult.

Guests can also haul their mountain bikes up the chairlift for easy access to all the upper biking trails on Vail Mountain.

Bike Haul Products:
(Bikes are not allowed up the gondola after 4:00pm)

Adult 1 Day Scenic Ride and Bike Haul - $27 ($11 for winter passholders)
Child 1 Day Scenic Ride and Bike Haul - Free* or $20 (Free* or $11 for winter passholders)
Senior 1 Day Scenic Ride and Bike Haul - $20 ($11 for winter passholders)

Please note: Unlimited rides for the day.
*Max. 3 children per paying adult.

Ride and Rent Packages :

Adult 1 Day Ride & Full Suspension Bike Rental - $57
Child 1 Day Ride & Bike Rental with adult - $16
Adult 1 Day Ride & Full Suspension Bike Rental & Lunch - $67

Ride and Lunch Packages:

Adult 1 Day Scenic Ride and Lunch (includes $15 lunch voucher at Eagle's Nest or Spruce Saddle) - $27
Adult 1 Day Scenic Ride, Lunch, and Bike Haul (includes $15 lunch voucher at Eagle's Nest or Spruce Saddle) - $32