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A group of people walkthrough a grassy meadow with mountains in the background. The setting sun creates a golden glow on the grass.

At A Glance

Months:

May - Nov

Hiking in Vail

Hiking in Vail, Colorado, reveals a network of scenic trails that wind through meadows, follow rushing rivers and ascend to panoramic alpine overlooks. From gentle, wildflower-lined paths to strenuous 14er routes with rewarding summit views, there’s a trail suited for every type of adventurer. Many routes are accessible right from Vail’s neighborhoods and villages, making it easy to step into nature without straying far from town.

Before heading out, stop by a Vail Welcome Center to pick up a trail map and chat with knowledgeable staff. If beginning your journey from Vail Village or Lionshead, you can explore local routes or take the scenic gondola for quicker access to Vail Mountain trails.

Keep in mind that summer trail conditions may change due to maintenance or conservation efforts. Please observe all posted signage and reroutes to help preserve the landscape and keep everyone safe on the trail.

Some trails have seasonal closures. Please respect these closures so we can protect our wildlife during their fawning season.

There is no parking at the Booth Lake Trailhead for the 2025 season. Parking is also prohibited in the surrounding neighborhood, park and school. Violators will be towed. See information on the free Vail shuttle below.

Vail Hiking Trails

Difficulties:

Bus it to Hike it

Please park at the Vail Village or Lionshead parking structures — both offer free daytime parking. From there:

• If you park in Vail Village, head to the west end of the top level of the Vail Village Transportation Center to catch a bus to the trailheads.

• If you park in Lionshead, take the in-town shuttle to the Covered Bridge stop in Vail Village, then transfer to a trailhead bus from the Transportation Center.

All trailhead buses depart from the west end of the top level of the Vail Village Transportation Center. For seasonal schedules and route maps, visit vailgov.com/bus-schedules or grab a printed schedule at the Transportation Center.

Bus It to Hike It Map

 

More Transportation Information

Hiking with Dogs

On all trails that enter the Eagles Nest Wilderness, as well as on the North Trail, dogs are required to be on a physical leash. There are four main reasons for this:

PROTECTING YOUR DOG FROM WILDLIFE
Many wildlife — such as moose, coyote, mountain lion and elk — see your dog as a threat and may attack your dog to protect their young or themselves.

PROTECTING WILDLIFE FROM YOUR DOG
Remember you are visiting wildlife’s home while on your hike. Many of these species are very sensitive and often doing all they can to survive. Being chased, or even feeling threatened, by a dog can have long-lasting negative effects on our wildlife populations.

PROTECTING YOUR DOG FROM OTHER DOGS
Keeping your dog on a leash will minimize the likelihood of a negative encounter with another dog.

PRESERVING THE EXPERIENCE FOR OTHER TRAIL USERS
Not all trail users are fond of dogs. Keeping your dog on a leash will ensure that other users do not feel threatened or anxious about encountering your dog.

If you would like to hike with your dog off leash, there are several areas you can go. Trails that do not enter the Eagles Nest Wilderness often allow off-leash dogs under voice control as well as dog parks within the Town of Vail. Remember that no matter where you are, when in public, your dog needs to be under verbal control. Also please remember to pick up and carry out all dog waste — even if it’s in a biodegradable bag.

Dog-Friendly Guide to Vail

What To Bring

Whether you’re heading out for a short stroll or an all-day alpine trek, having the right gear can make your hike safer, more comfortable and a lot more enjoyable. Be sure to pack these essentials before you hit the trails in Vail:

  • Water
  • Backpack
  • Rain protection (waterproof jacket/pants)
  • Sturdy, waterproof shoes or hiking boots
  • Sunscreen — 30 SPF minimum
  • Food/snacks
  • First aid kit
  • Cell phone/camera
  • Compass/map/GPS
  • Hat/baseball cap
  • Sunglasses
  • Flashlight/headlamp
  • Extra clothing (e.g., dry layers, socks)

Eagles Nest Wilderness

Many trails near Vail lead into the Eagles Nest Wilderness, a protected area established in 1976 as part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. This rugged alpine landscape is carefully managed to preserve its natural beauty, quiet atmosphere and opportunities for challenge and solitude.

As a guest in this protected environment, please treat the land with care and respect. Special rules are in place to help protect the wilderness — you’ll find these posted at trailheads.

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.