Trip ideas while visiting Vail in Colorado
Vail isn’t just famous for skiing; it also offers amazing hiking trails. If you have a car, you can drive to Eagles Nest or Holy Cross, two wilderness areas with impressive trails perfect for backpackers. For those who prefer staying closer to town, Vail Mountain has several trails accessible from the top of the Eagle Bahn Gondola. These trails vary in length, with options like Eagle’s Loop and Fireweed offering short 1-mile hikes, while Berrypicker and Ridge Route are more suitable for intermediate trekkers. Keep in mind that there is a fee of $36 for adults (children accompanying a paying adult go free) to ride the gondola, but accessing the hiking trails is completely free.
If you don’t want to pay for the gondola, there are several hikes in the Vail area that you can access through the free bus system provided by the National Forest Service. These hikes include Bighorn Creek, Booth Creek, Deluge Creek, Gore Creek, and Pitkin Creek, among others. One hike that recent visitors loved is the Booth Falls Trail. It’s located just over a mile from Interstate 70 in East Vail. Although it’s a steep trail, many travelers enjoy it because of its beautiful wildflowers, waterfalls, and views of the Gore Range. If you prefer a guided hike, you can also join an interactive hiking expert. For more information, you can check the Vail resort website.