Most people come to Vail for the skiing. What they do not always realize is that the mountains are just as good in the summer — and free. No lift ticket, no crowds, no lines. Just trails through aspen groves, wildflower meadows, and ridgelines with views that stop you mid-step.
I lived in Vail for three seasons and hiked more than I can count. I took my family, my friends, my coworkers, and plenty of people who had never hiked a day in their lives. These are the trails I kept coming back to — what they are actually like, who they are right for, and what I remember from them.
Berry Picker: or Butt Kicker
Distance: 8 miles out and back (4 miles if you only go up or only go down)
Duration: 2 to 3 hours up, 1.5 to 2 hours down
Level: Intermediate
Views: 9 out of 10
Trailhead: Left of the Lionshead Gondola, Vail Mountain
Parking: Lionshead Transportation Center, free in summer
It took me almost two years of living in Vail before I actually did Berry Picker. I knew it was a serious hike and I kept putting it off. When I finally went — before a work shift, thinking I would knock it out — I understood immediately why people call it Butt Kicker.
You cross a bridge at Lionshead and the trail goes directly up. No warmup, no gradual lead-in. Within ten minutes you are stopping to catch your breath and wondering what you signed up for. The first section is relentless. Midway through it opens up a bit — you cross some meadows, the grade softens — and then when you think you are almost done it pitches back up again for the final push to the top. When you finally see the signs for the summit you feel genuinely relieved.
The views at the top are worth every step. You are at the top of Vail Mountain. The gondola is right there which means you can hike up and ride down, which is honestly the smarter choice — the descent is steep and hard on the knees (and its free to take the Gondi down, just research the hours its running).
I turned Berry Picker into a personal workout challenge the summer after I first did it, trying to get faster each time. I also used it as a test before taking friends on 14ers. People would show up confident and Berry Picker would humble them quickly. If you cannot make it up Berry Picker without stopping repeatedly, a 14er is going to be a much longer, much harder day. The altitude here takes you to around 10,000 feet, which is enough to feel it if you are coming from sea level.
One important note: this is Vail Mountain, which means mountain bikers share some of the trails. When you cross a service road or another trail intersects, give riders the right of way — they come down fast. Pack water and snacks before you head up. There is a bathroom at the top of Lionshead where you can refill water, but if you need to buy anything on the mountain expect to pay a premium. I bought a Gatorade once and I am pretty sure it cost me $15.
Good for: People who want a real workout, anyone training for altitude, hikers who want to earn their gondola ride down.
Not ideal for: First-time hikers, anyone with bad knees, anyone who was not warned what they were getting into.
Lions Head Rock: The One I Take Everyone On
Distance: About 6 miles
Duration: 3 to 5 hours depending on pace
Level: Advanced Beginner
Views: 8 out of 10
Trailhead: Dead end of Taylor Street, Minturn
Parking: A few spots at the trailhead where Taylor Street ends
Directions: Coming into Minturn, turn left at the saloon onto Main Street, right onto Railroad Avenue, right at the fork onto Taylor Street. Follow to the dead end.
I worked in Minturn before I even really knew this trail existed. Once I heard about it I went solo to check it out and immediately understood why people kept recommending it. Lions Head Rock is the hike I have taken more people on than any other in the area, and the list includes my brother and his wife who famously made it five minutes up a different trail before declaring it ridiculous, my sister, and my twelve-year-old niece.
It works for all of them because it is challenging without being brutal. There are switchbacks that break up the climbing, the trail is well-shaded through most of the ascent which matters a lot on hot summer days, and the navigation is simple — there are no confusing forks or side trails to worry about. You just go up.
The view from the top is a genuine payoff. You look out over the town of Minturn and the surrounding valley and it feels proportional to the effort you put in. I have eaten more lunches up there than I can count, packed sandwiches and sat on that rock and felt like the hike had earned the food.
One thing to know: at the top you will see the trail continues. It eventually connects all the way to Vail Mountain and is a popular mountain biking route. Do not follow it unless you are prepared for a full day excursion with proper planning. Turn around after the lookout.
The beginning of the trail runs along private property. Be respectful and stay on the path. There are no bathrooms at the trailhead — the nearest public restroom is in Minturn at the intersection of Toledo Street and Eagle River Street.
After the hike, eat in Minturn. It is a small authentic Colorado mountain town with good restaurants and the post-hike meal tastes better when you have earned it.
Good for: Anyone, including beginners and kids. People visiting who are not regular hikers but want something with a real view. Groups of mixed fitness levels.
Beaver Lake and Turquoise Lake: The Beaver Creek Side
Distance: 6.5 to 7 miles out and back to Beaver Lake / 15 miles out and back to Turquoise Lake
Duration: 3 to 4 hours for Beaver Lake / 6 to 8 hours for Turquoise Lake
Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Views: Beaver Lake 7 out of 10 / Turquoise Lake 9 out of 10
Trailhead: Navigate through Beaver Creek Village to the side trail running next to Elk Track Road
Parking: Public Beaver Creek lots, free in summer
A coworker who had spent years working at Beaver Creek introduced me to this trail. She had a dog named Samson and we started going on long walks together, which is how I ended up exploring the Beaver Creek side of the mountains more than I ever had before. There is a funny tribalism in the Vail valley — Vail people hike Vail, Beaver Creek people hike Beaver Creek, and rarely do they cross over. Having a friend who knew the other mountain opened things up for me.
The trail to Beaver Lake has the steepest climbing early on, then levels out and becomes more manageable as you continue toward Turquoise Lake. The lakes are genuinely beautiful — Beaver Lake is a solid payoff for a half day out, and Turquoise Lake at the end of the full 15 miles is one of the more stunning places I have seen in the area.
If you are not sure which to aim for, start hiking and see how you feel when you reach Beaver Lake. There is nothing wrong with turning around there. It is still a good day.
Bring bug spray. There are muddy patches depending on the season. The trail can get crowded since it starts right from the village.
Good for: Anyone who wants a lake destination, day hikers looking for something more substantial, people who want to see both mountains on one trip.
Eagle-Vail Stone Creek Trail: My Solo Trail
Distance: 5 miles round trip to the lookout, but can extend significantly
Duration: About 3 hours at a moderate pace
Level: Beginner with some elevation gain
Views: 8 out of 10
Trailhead: Above the Eagle-Vail Golf Course clubhouse on Eagle Drive
Parking: Small lot at the trailhead, arrive early during busy weeks
This trail became mine when I worked at the Eagle-Vail Golf Course. I lived walking distance from the trailhead and on my days off I would just start hiking and see where the trail took me. Sometimes it was a quick two miles. Sometimes I would connect into the Beaver Creek trail system, come out on top of the mountain with a view, walk down into Avon, and end up with an eight-mile loop that fed me right back to where I was staying.
The trail starts just past the golf course — you can hear the golfers when you are starting out, and you cross near the course briefly, but you are not in the way of anything. Once you are past that it opens up. There is one fork not far in where you want to stay on Stone Creek rather than Eagle-Vail Trail — just go left if the signs are not obvious.
What I love about this trail is the flexibility. You can make it as short or as long as you want. If you want a quick morning hike before whatever else the day holds, three miles and back to the first good lookout is enough. If you want a full adventure, keep going and let it connect you somewhere.
For visitors I like this trail because it is accessible from Avon and gives people a taste of the mountains without being in the heart of the resort. It feels a little more local and a little less crowded.
Wildridge Service Road: The Hidden One
Distance: About 3 miles to the best lookout, can extend further
Duration: 1 to 1.5 hours
Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Views: 8 to 10 out of 10
Trailhead: By the Wildridge Playground near the dog park on Old Trail Road, Avon. Follow Old Trail Road to the dead end, turn right onto June Creek Trail.
Parking: By the playground at the dead end of Old Trail Road
Most people who live in Vail have never been to Wildridge. It is a neighborhood up the mountain above Avon and unless you live there or know someone who does, you probably have not thought to drive up. My boyfriend at the time lived there and we spent two summers taking evening walks through the neighborhood, and once his roommates started exploring on dirt bikes we found trails that turned into regular hikes.
The trail is mostly a service road. You might share it with ATVs, dirt bikes, and the occasional off-road vehicle, but it is never crowded and the atmosphere is quiet and remote. The terrain has a reddish quality to it at sunset that is unlike anywhere else in the area.
About 1.2 to 1.5 miles out there is a natural stopping point — a small rock where you can sit and look out over Avon and Edwards. That view is consistently one of my favorites in the whole valley. A different angle on a place I knew well.
A few things to know: this trail gets full sun. Do not go at noon in July. Early morning or late afternoon is ideal. Bring sunscreen and water. The trail actually runs all the way through to Edwards if you keep going, so know where you are or you will come out in a different neighborhood than where you started.
Good for: People who want something quiet and off the beaten path, sunset hikers, anyone staying in Avon who wants a local hike without driving somewhere.
A Note on Altitude
All of these hikes are in the Vail valley which sits at around 8,000 feet at the base. Some trails take you significantly higher. If you are coming from sea level, your body is going to notice. You may feel winded faster than usual, get headaches, or feel more tired than the distance would suggest.
The fix is simple: drink a lot of water, take breaks without embarrassment, do not try to prove anything on day one. Most people acclimate within a day or two. The hikes will be there. Give your body time to adjust before you push it hard.
