Vail, CO
Home MenuVail Mountain Trails
Town of Vail Hiking Information for Trails on Vail Mountain
Length: Varies Difficulty: Varies Crowds: Varies
Vail Mountain offers many miles of hiking trails that are both accessible from Vail Village and Lionshead, as well as from Mid-Vail and Eagles Nest/Adventure Ridge.
See the Vail Mountain Hiking Website for more information.
Booth Lake Trail
Trailhead Parking Re-Opens Oct. 11
Length: 4.5 miles (one way) Difficulty: More Difficult
Trail Highlights: The trail climbs steeply from the trailhead through aspen groves for the first mile. Then, the trail climbs more gradually following along Booth Creek. Early season hikers may encounter snow patches as the trail winds through conifer forests and meadows filled with wildflowers. Above 10,000 feet the trees thin and the terrain changes offering views of the Gore Range. The last 1/4 mile to Booth Lake is steep and rocky.
To avoid trampling sensitive vegetation and to prevent soil erosion, please stay on the trail at all times. Dogs are permitted but must be kept on a leash in order to protect wildlife and the hiking experience of other trail users. This trail enters the Eagles Nest Wilderness – regulations are posted at the trailhead.
Crowds: This is a very popular trail at certain times of the season. Please consider other hiking trails listed on this page if this trail is likely to be very busy.
Access: Trailhead parking is closed for 2021 summer. Please take the FREE bus from the Vail Transportation Center. The free East Vail blue line shuttle, runs every 30 minutes from the Vail Transportation Center to the Booth Falls stop. Walk up Booth Falls Road a 1/4 mile to the trailhead. The parking closure is a pilot program to address the negative impacts of overcrowding on the Eagles Nest Wilderness such as a build-up of waste, trail erosion, and other safety concerns (speeding, illegal parking, emergency vehicle access, etc.) that impact nearby residents and guests as well.
Details: Including directions, a map, and other information can be found on this printable Recreation Quicksheet from the Forest Service.
Trail Adopted By: Vail Mountain School
Gore Creek Trail
Town of Vail Hiking Information for Gore Creek Trail
Length: 7.0 miles (one way) Difficulty: More Difficult
The first 4 miles of the trail climbs alongside Gore Creek. There are some short steep sections along the way. The trail winds through meadows and aspen groves which change to conifer stands as the elevation increases. At mile 4, the trail forks; crossing Gore Creek leads you over Red Buffalo Pass to Summit County (7 miles from the trailhead to Red Buffalo Pass), the left fork goes to Gore Lake (6 miles from the trailhead to Gore Lake). From the fork, both forks climb steeply though spruce and fir forest into the alpine tundra.
To avoid trampling sensitive vegetation and to prevent soil erosion, please stay on the trail at all times. Dogs are permitted, but must be kept on a leash in order to protect wildlife and the hiking experience of other trail users. This trail enters the Eagles Nest Wilderness – regulations are posted at the trailhead. For a map of the trail, please visit Hiking Project.
Crowds: This is a very popular trail at certain times of the season and parking can be very limited. Please consider other hiking trails listed on this page if this trail is likely to be very busy.
Access: Parking is very limited at the trailhead; do not park in undesignated areas. We strongly encourage taking the free East Vail blue line shuttle, which runs every 30 minutes, from the Vail Transportation Center to the Main Gore / Bighorn stop. Walk east 1/3 of a mile up Bighorn Road (under the overpass) and you will see the Deluge Lake Trailhead first, then Gore Creek Trailhead farther down the road.
Details: Including directions, a map, and other information can be found on this printable Recreation Quicksheet from the Forest Service.
Trail Adopted By: Eagle River Water & Sand District
Bighorn Creek Trail
Town of Vail Hiking Information for Bighorn Creek Trail
Length: 3.4 miles (one way) Difficulty: More Difficult
The first 1/2 mile of the trail climbs steeply out of the Vail Valley, then more gradually climbs up through stands of aspen and pine. The trail passes beaver ponds and the remains of old mining camps as well as Bighorn Falls. Near mile 2, the views of Vail and Bighorn drainage are exceptional. Around mile 3, the trail passes through open meadows and stands of subalpine fir and Englemann spruce, offering a chance to see the Grand Traverse, a continuous 12,000 foot ridge connecting all the peaks and high drainages of the Gore Range. The trail ends at a recently-refurbished homestead cabin located on private property. Please respect private property rights.
To avoid trampling sensitive vegetation and to prevent soil erosion, please stay on the trail at all times. Dogs are permitted, but must be kept on a leash in order to protect wildlife and the hiking experience of other trail users. This trail enters the Eagles Nest Wilderness – regulations are posted at the trailhead. For a map of the trail, please visit Hiking Project.
Crowds: This is a very popular trail at certain times of the season and parking is extremely limited. Please consider other hiking trails listed on this page if this trail is likely to be very busy.
Access: Parking is extremely limited at the trailhead. Do not park in undesignated areas; there are only four designated parking spaces. We strongly encourage taking the free East Vail blue line shuttle, which runs every 30 minutes, from the Vail Transportation Center to the Columbine stop. Walk north ¼ mile up Columbine Drive (under the overpass) to the trailhead.
Details: Including directions, a map, and other information can be found on this printable Recreation Quicksheet from the Forest Service.
Trail Adopted By: Howard Head Sports Medicine
Pitkin Creek Trail
Town of Vail Hiking Information for Pitkin Creek Trail
Length: 4.8 miles (one way) Difficulty: More Difficult
The first mile of the trail is strenuous as it climbs steeply out of the Vail Valley. Fallen trees along the trail are evidence of past avalanches. The grade levels out somewhat as the trail passes through mature aspen groves and spruce-fir forests and a series of moraines from an ancient glacial retreat. After about 2.5 miles, steep switchbacks reveal the first of two waterfalls on Pitkin Creek about 200 yards to the east. After a number of false summits, the trail reaches Pitkin Lake, nestled beneath an arc of gray granite in the alpine tundra.
To avoid trampling sensitive vegetation and to prevent soil erosion, please stay on the trail at all times. Dogs are permitted, but must be kept on a leash in order to protect wildlife and the hiking experience of other trail users. This trail enters the Eagles Nest Wilderness – regulations are posted at the trailhead. For a map of the trail, please visit Hiking Project.
Crowds: This is a very popular trail at certain times of the season and parking can be very limited. Please consider other hiking trails listed on this page if this trail is likely to be very busy.
Access: Parking is very limited at the trailhead. Do not park in undesignated areas; there are only fifteen designated parking spaces. We strongly encourage taking the free East Vail blue line shuttle, which runs every 30 minutes, from the Vail Transportation Center to the Falls at Vail bus stop. Walk up Fall Line Drive a ¼ mile to the trailhead.
Details: Including directions, a map, and other information can be found on this printable Recreation Quicksheet from the Forest Service.
Trail Adopted By: BG Buildingworks