Pedal Through Paradise: Discovering the Best Bike Trails in Vail Valley

The Vail Valley, nestled in the heart of the Colorado Rockies, is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, and biking is no exception. With its diverse terrain and stunning scenery, the region offers trails for riders of all skill levels. In this blog post, we’ll explore the most popular bike trails in the Vail Valley, broken down by difficulty, to help you plan your next two-wheeled adventure. Plus, we’ll highlight some other notable trails from around Colorado that are worth a visit.

Beginner Trails: If you’re new to biking or prefer a leisurely ride, the Vail Valley has plenty of beginner-friendly options. Here are some favorites:

Eagle Valley Trail (Vail, Avon, and Edwards)
Vail Bike Path (Vail)
Gore Valley Trail (Vail)
Beaver Lake Trail (Beaver Creek)
Nottingham Lake Loop (Avon)
Wyse Way (West Avon Preserve)
Pool & Ice Rink Loop (Eagle Ranch Trails)

Eagle Valley Trail (Vail, Avon, and Edwards): This paved, multi-use trail runs alongside the Eagle River and stretches from Vail to Dotsero, passing through Avon and Edwards. The trail is perfect for beginners, as it offers a gentle terrain with beautiful views of the river, mountains, and surrounding communities.
Vail Bike Path (Vail): The Vail Bike Path is a paved path that winds through the heart of Vail, connecting to the Eagle Valley Trail. It’s a great option for beginners looking to explore the town and enjoy the scenery, with gentle inclines and easy navigation.
Gore Valley Trail (Vail): The Gore Valley Trail is a mostly paved, 12-mile (19.3-km) path that follows Gore Creek from the eastern end of Vail to the western end. This scenic trail is mostly flat with a few gentle inclines, making it ideal for beginners.
Beaver Lake Trail (Beaver Creek): The Beaver Lake Trail is a beginner-friendly, out-and-back hiking and biking trail that starts at the base of Beaver Creek Mountain and leads to the picturesque Beaver Lake. The trail is approximately 6 miles (9.7 km) round trip with a moderate climb, making it suitable for beginner riders who are up for a bit of a challenge.
Nottingham Lake Loop (Avon): This easy, flat trail loops around Nottingham Lake in Avon, offering beautiful views of the water and surrounding mountains. The loop is approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) long and is perfect for beginners or families with children.
Pool & Ice Rink Loop (Eagle Ranch Trails, Eagle): This beginner-friendly trail features smooth, rolling terrain and beautiful views of the town and mountains. The loop is approximately 1.7 miles (2.7 km) long and can be accessed from the Eagle Pool & Ice Rink parking lot.
Wyse Way (West Avon Preserve, Avon): Wyse Way is a beginner-friendly singletrack trail with a moderate climb and fun descent, offering beautiful views of Beaver Creek. The trail is approximately 2.3 miles (3.7 km) long and can be combined with other trails in the West Avon Preserve for a longer ride.

These are just a few of the beginner-friendly trails available in the Vail Valley. Be sure to consult local trail maps and resources to discover more options.

Moderate Trails: Intermediate riders or those seeking a bit more challenge will enjoy the Vail Valley’s moderate trails. Check out these popular options:

Village-to-Village Trail (Beaver Creek)
Boneyard Loop (Eagle Ranch Trails, Eagle)
Grand Traverse (Vail Mountain)
Lee’s Way Down (West Avon Preserve, Avon)
Radio Flyer (Vail Mountain)
Berry Creek Trail (Edwards)
Saddleridge Loop (West Avon Preserve, Avon)

Village-to-Village Trail (Beaver Creek): This moderate trail connects Beaver Creek, Bachelor Gulch, and Arrowhead, offering a mix of singletrack and doubletrack with beautiful views. The entire loop is approximately 7 miles (11.3 km) long and features a gradual climb with some technical sections.
Boneyard Loop (Eagle Ranch Trails, Eagle): A popular intermediate trail with a mix of singletrack and doubletrack, providing a great workout and rewarding views. The loop is approximately 6 miles (9.7 km) long, with a moderate climb followed by a fun descent.
Grand Traverse (Vail Mountain): A classic cross-country trail that traverses Vail Mountain, providing stunning views of the Gore Range. This intermediate trail is approximately 6.2 miles (10 km) long and features a mixture of climbs, descents, and flat sections.
Lee’s Way Down (West Avon Preserve, Avon): An intermediate to advanced downhill trail that provides a mix of berms, jumps, and technical rock gardens. The trail is approximately 1.8 miles (2.9 km) long and can be accessed via the Saddleridge and Our Back trails.
Radio Flyer (Vail Mountain): An intermediate trail offering swooping berms, rollers, and small jumps for a fun descent. This flowy downhill trail is approximately 2.2 miles (3.5 km) long and is accessible via the gondola or chairlift.
Berry Creek Trail (Edwards): A challenging, steep climb followed by a technical descent through the forest and along the creek. This intermediate to advanced trail is approximately 6 miles (9.7 km) long and can be combined with the June Creek Trail for a longer ride.
Saddleridge Loop (West Avon Preserve, Avon): A scenic loop that combines a gradual climb with a flowy descent, perfect for intermediate riders. The loop is approximately 4.4 miles (7.1 km) long and provides beautiful views of the valley.

These moderate trails offer a mix of terrain, scenery, and challenges for riders looking to explore the Vail Valley’s diverse landscape.

Advanced Trails: Experienced riders looking for challenging and technical terrain will find plenty of advanced trails in the Vail Valley. Here are some top picks:

Two Elk Trail (Vail Mountain)
Bowmans Shortcut (Vail)
Commando Run (Vail Pass)
Paulie’s Plunge (Beaver Creek)
Redneck Ridge (Eagle Ranch Trails, Eagle)
Lee’s Way Down (West Avon Preserve, Avon)
World’s Greatest (Vail Mountain)

Two Elk Trail (Vail Mountain): This challenging backcountry trail offers a mix of steep climbs, technical descents, and stunning views. The trail is approximately 10 miles (16 km) long and connects Vail Pass to the top of Vail Mountain, crossing the Two Elk Pass.
Bowmans Shortcut (Vail): This advanced trail starts from Vail Pass and offers a steep climb followed by a technical, rocky descent. The trail is approximately 5.6 miles (9 km) long and can be combined with Two Elk Trail for a challenging loop.
Commando Run (Vail Pass): The Commando Run is an advanced ride that starts at Vail Pass and follows a mix of singletrack and doubletrack trails, culminating in a challenging descent down the backside of Vail Mountain. This ride is approximately 15 miles (24 km) long and features steep climbs, technical descents, and stunning alpine scenery.
Paulie’s Plunge (Beaver Creek): This advanced downhill trail starts near the top of the Cinch lift and offers a steep, technical descent through aspen groves and dense forest. The trail is approximately 1.7 miles (2.7 km) long and features tight switchbacks, rock gardens, and roots.
Redneck Ridge (Eagle Ranch Trails, Eagle): This advanced singletrack trail offers a challenging climb followed by a steep, technical descent. The trail is approximately 4.4 miles (7.1 km) long and features tight switchbacks, rock gardens, and roots.
Lee’s Way Down (West Avon Preserve, Avon): Although it is rated as intermediate to advanced, the technical features and challenges make this trail suitable for experienced riders. The trail is approximately 1.8 miles (2.9 km) long and provides a mix of berms, jumps, and technical rock gardens.
World’s Greatest (Vail Mountain): This advanced trail is located on Vail Mountain and offers a steep, technical descent with tight switchbacks, rock gardens, and roots. The trail is approximately 1.5 miles (2.4 km) long and is accessible via the gondola or chairlift.

These advanced trails in the Vail Valley provide experienced riders with challenging terrain and a thrilling experience. Always consult local trail maps and resources to ensure you choose a trail that matches your skill level and preferences. Additionally, make sure to check the trail conditions and any seasonal closures before setting out.

Other Notable Trails in Colorado: Beyond the Vail Valley, Colorado offers countless opportunities for bikers to explore. Here are some of our favorite trails from around the state:

Blue River Trail (Silverthorne)
High-Desert Biking (Eagle)
Maroon Creek Road (Aspen)
Mineral Belt Trail (Leadville)
Monarch Crest Trail (Salida)
Fruit & Wine Byway (Palisade)
Olde Stage Road (Boulder)
Cherry Creek Trail (Denver)

Blue River Trail, Silverthorne: The Blue River Trail is a picturesque, multi-use trail running alongside the Blue River in Silverthorne, Colorado. The trail offers easy, paved terrain for biking, walking, and jogging, and it provides scenic views of the Gore Range and the surrounding wetlands.

High-Desert Biking, Eagle: Eagle, Colorado, is home to some of the best high-desert mountain biking trails in the state. The area boasts a diverse range of trails, from beginner-friendly to expert-level, with a unique mix of singletrack, flow trails, and technical descents. Popular trail networks include Haymaker, Boneyard, and Pool & Ice.

Maroon Creek Road, Aspen: Maroon Creek Road is a stunning 10-mile (16-km) paved road that starts at the roundabout in Aspen, Colorado, and leads to the Maroon Bells Scenic Area. Biking along Maroon Creek Road offers breathtaking views of the Elk Mountain Range, aspen groves, and Maroon Lake.

Mineral Belt Trail, Leadville: The Mineral Belt Trail is an 11.6-mile (18.6-km) paved, ADA-accessible loop that encircles the historic mining town of Leadville, Colorado. This trail offers a unique biking experience, combining stunning mountain views with a glimpse into the area’s rich mining history through interpretive signage and old mining structures.

Monarch Crest Trail, Salida: The Monarch Crest Trail, starting near Salida, Colorado, is a world-renowned, high-alpine mountain biking trail. This epic ride combines the Continental Divide Trail and the Silver Creek Trail, offering around 35 miles (56 km) of exhilarating singletrack, challenging descents, and breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.

Fruit & Wine Byway, Palisade: The Fruit & Wine Byway is a series of three separate, picturesque cycling loops that showcase the beauty of the Grand Valley in Palisade, Colorado. The byway offers a mix of paved roads and easy-to-navigate terrain, taking riders through vineyards, orchards, and the Colorado Riverfront. Riders can also visit wineries and fruit stands along the way.

Olde Stage Road, Boulder: Olde Stage Road is a popular cycling route in Boulder, Colorado, providing a challenging hill climb and rewarding views. The road stretches approximately 4.5 miles (7.2 km) and features a steep ascent up to the top of the ridge, where riders can enjoy panoramic views of the Front Range and the city of Boulder.

Cherry Creek Trail, Denver: The Cherry Creek Trail is a 42-mile (67.6-km) paved, multi-use trail that runs through the heart of Denver, Colorado. The trail starts at Confluence Park, where Cherry Creek meets the South Platte River, and follows Cherry Creek southeast to Franktown. It is popular among cyclists, joggers, and walkers for its accessibility and the opportunity to enjoy both urban and natural scenery.

No matter your skill level or riding preferences, the Vail Valley and the rest of Colorado offer a plethora of biking trails to suit your needs. So, gear up, hit the trails, and discover the beauty of the Colorado Rockies from the seat of your bike. Happy riding!