North Trail (Cortina Lane to Buffehr Creek)
Distance
4.9 miles (one way)Difficulty
IntermediateCrowds
ModerateClosed April 15-June 20
From the trailhead, walk 1/8 mile to the signed North Trail/Davos Trail junction and take a right onto the North Trail. After 1.3 miles of climbing, keep right on the North Trail. The trail continues to climb gently and then curves around into a drainage of mixed pine and aspen. The trail then reaches the section’s high point. From here the views to the south and west of Holy Cross Wilderness and the Gore Range are excellent. After winding through another drainage, the North Trail begins its descent into Buffehr Creek via a series of switchbacks. At the next signed junction, turn right to continue the descent to Buffehr Creek. Staying left takes you to Red Sandstone Road via the Buffehr Creek trail. At the bottom of the descent, turn left and follow the trail to the Buffehr Creek bridge. Turning right at the last junction allows you to loop back to Cortina Lane via Garmisch Drive.
Trail Adopted By: Vail Public Safety, Vail Recreation District, East West Partners, Town of Vail Employees, Marriott Streamside
Driving Directions
Access: Travel west on I-70 to Exit 173 for West Vail. Proceed north from the roundabout on the north side of I-70. Turn left at the yield sign onto Chamonix Lane. At Arosa Drive, turn right and veer right onto Davos Trail. Take the next right on to Cortina Lane, which will take you to the trailhead. There is limited parking at the end of the road. Please obey parking signage.
Bus to Hike
Take the West Vail Red bus
- Park for free in Vail Village or Lionshead structures and take a free bus to West Vail
- Get off at the Chamonix bus stop
- Walk up Chamonix Lane to Arosa Drive to Cortina Lane for 1 mile
- You will see Davos Trailhead