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A family of four hikes amongst wildflowers with evergreens and mountains behind them in Vail.
Dirt path through aspen trees
Woman hiking in the mountains in Vail, Colorado in the fall, surrounded by trees with golden leaves

Meadows Loop Trail

Distance
2.5 miles (round trip)
Difficulty
Intermediate
Crowds
High
Beginning Elevation
10,228 ft.
Ending Elevation
10,630 ft.
Elevation Gain
402 ft.
Back to Map

Meadows Loop Trail offers a scenic 2.5-mile journey through alpine meadows and forests. Purchase a Scenic Gondola Ticket and ride Gondola One from the Village up to Mid-Vail. The trailhead will be on your right. Hikers, bikers, and trail runners can enjoy wildflowers, tranquil lakes, and panoramic views of Holy Cross Wilderness.

Keep an eye out for wildlife like deer and eagles. With a mix of gentle paths and switchbacks, this trail suits all skill levels. Don’t miss this unforgettable exploration of Rocky Mountain beauty.

Care for Colorado: Leave No Trace

Exploring Vail goes hand in hand with caring for our beautiful natural environment. Here’s how you can do your part!

Stay on the Trail

No shortcuts — going off trail compromises trail construction, kills the vegetation, increases soil erosion and may result in reduced water quality.

Pack Out Trash

Stash it until you can trash it — anything you bring with you, you must pack back out. Trash can hurt wildlife and contaminate water ways.

Dog Do's and Don'ts

Do pick up the doo — pack out all dog poop. Don’t let dogs off leash to protect them from wildlife and protect wildlife from them.

Respect Wildlife

Give them space — observe wildlife from a distance and do not follow or approach them. Never feed animals as it can alter their behavior.

Plan Ahead

Take the trail less traveled — there are more than 100 miles of hiking trails in the Vail area! Use the trail guide to discover area trails and, whenever possible, ride a bike or take a free Town of Vail bus to the trailhead.

Find More Leave No Trace Tips

Getting There

Take the free in-town bus or park at the Vail Village Transportation Center. Once in Vail Village, purchase a ticket for a scenic gondola ride that takes you up to Mid-Vail. You can access the trailhead from here.

 

Dogs & Leashes

Dogs are allowed in the White River National Forest, but may not be on permitted in certain areas of Vail Resorts. Please adhere to any posted signs. We recommend that you keep your dog on a leash when you are in Vail Resort and around other forest users, other dogs, or are in bear country. Dogs are not permitted on either Gondola from Vail Village.

Useful Links

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