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  • Vail, Colorado

    Looking for the best mountain biking in Vail? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Vail. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

    Top Mountain Biking Spots in and near Vail

    • Frisco, Colorado

      Hike or Snowshoe to Rainbow Lakes

      5.0
      3 mi / 250 ft gain
      You can do this hike two different ways: 1- Start from the Peaks Trail Trailhead for an out and back hike, distance is a little over 2 miles roundtrip. 2- Start along the Summit County Recreational Trail (as marked on this map), also out and back hike, total distance just over 3 miles, and provid...
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    • Silverthorne, Colorado

      Hike to Old Dillon Reservoir

      4.5
      1.7 mi / 137 ft gain
      Today, Lake Dillon is one of the biggest attractions in the Dillon Valley, attracting boaters, anglers, and campers. However, the large reservoir we know today was not the first one in the area.  The Old Dillon Reservoir was built in the 1930s to supply water to the original town of Dillon, which...
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    • Breckenridge, Colorado

      Hike Baker's Tank Loop

      3.8
      6 mi / 645 ft gain
      When the aspens are sporting their golden hues of autumn, Baker's Tank Loop is a perfect fall hike. The trailhead is about ten minutes from downtown Breckenridge. For part of the hike, you may have the world to yourself. But, for the road portion, you'll likely have to share with the leaf peep...
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    • Turquoise Lake, Colorado

      Escape to Turquoise Lake

      5.0
      Turquoise Lake is an 'off the beaten path' gem only 3 hours from the Denver Metro Area. The area surrounding the lake is home to some spacious and tree-shaded campgrounds. If you plan ahead and book early, you'll have your pick of the best spots within close proximity to the lake. The campground ...
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    • Breckenridge, Colorado

      Camp at Boreas Pass

      9 mi / 1500 ft gain
      Boreas pass is a high mountain pass in the Rocky Mountains that sits on the Continental Divide at 11,481'. Forest Service Road 33 goes over the pass and has numerous campsites all along its length, with several near the summit that feature breathtaking views of the Tenmile Range and the Breckenri...
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    • Breckenridge, Colorado

      MTB Boreas Pass

      Boreas Pass is a scenic route that lies between Como (north of Fairplay on Hwy 285) and Breckenridge. It is 21 miles of low maintenance, rough gravel road that follows the Continental Divide and summits at 11,481 feet. Other than the altitude, the ride is not difficult, as the grade is not steep ...
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    • Parshall, Colorado

      Ski or Snowshoe Jones Pass

      4.0
      6 mi / 1600 ft gain
      Its sister trail, Butler Gulch, is an all-time favorite hike (both summer and winter), and since they share a trailhead, I knew Jones Pass would be special as well.Jones Pass is not the type of trail I normally take, since it is actually a 4x4 road that is used for Jeeping in the summer and snowm...
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    • Fraser, Colorado

      Summit Byers Peak

      8.8 mi / 2774 ft gain
      The drive to the start of the trail is okay, having a high clearance vehicle would make the drive easier, but is not necessary.  Free parking is available along the side of the road.The trail starts on a closed service road at a gate and requires you to either hike or bike up the dirt road (2 mil...
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    • Silver Plume, Colorado

      Argentine Railroad Grade

      5.0
      5.35 mi / 863 ft gain
      The Argentine Central Railroad Grade trail is just what it says: it follows the old rail bed of the Argentine Central line. All railway remnants have long since been removed, and in its place is a wide, well-defined trail with an easy grade. With just a 900-foot incline over the course of about t...
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    • Idaho Springs, Colorado

      ATV Leavenworth Creek Road (Guanella Pass)

      16.6 mi / 3655 ft gain
      September is famous in Colorado for clear, deep blue skies,sublimely perfect temperatures, and gold-digging – of the leaf variety, thatis. On September 9, wildflower season was recently past and the best of theleaves were yet to come, but it was the perfect, clear and sunny day to checkout the hi...
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    • Jefferson, Colorado

      Colorado Trail: Kenosha Pass to FR 130

      4.6
      6.81 mi / 938 ft gain
      The Colorado Trail (http://www.coloradotrail.org) is 500 miles long and stretches from Denver to Durango. Perhaps the most-traveled portion of the Colorado Trail is at Kenosha Pass. Kenosha Pass is well-known for its thick, colorful stands of aspen in the fall. During peak leaf season (late Septe...
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    • Leadville, Colorado

      Mountain Bike the Colorado Trail near Mount Elbert

      This is the way to see fall colors if you're into empty trails and endorphins. Grind up the trail starting from South Elbert Trailhead. You'll turn right onto the Colorado Trail at .3 miles and stay here for as long as you like, or 7.3 miles to the Mount Elbert Trailhead. Turn around and go back ...
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    • Twin Lakes, Colorado

      Camp at Twin Lakes' White Star Campground

      4.5
      This area is located on the other side of Independence Pass from Aspen, which is only accessible during the summer, or can be reached year-round via Leadville, which is about 20 miles away along Highway 24. From Twin Lakes Village drive approximately 1.5 miles east on Highway 82 and take the exit...
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    • Aspen, Colorado

      Hike Lost Man Loop

      5.0
      8.8 mi / 1290 ft gain
      This 8.8 mile "loop" is not a true loop and the trail ends 4 miles apart along Independence Pass, so a car shuttle is recommended. I would recommend starting at the west trailhead (closer to Aspen) but will describe both trailheads so you can set up another car or shuttle at the other one.1) West...
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    • Idaho Springs, Colorado

      Chinns Lake Trail

      4.0
      2.7 mi / 741 ft gain
      Chinns Lake Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Idaho Springs, Colorado.
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    • Buena Vista, Colorado

      Hike to the Historical Interlaken Resort

      5.0
      6 mi / 500 ft gain
      Follow Colorado Highway 24 South from Leadville for 14 miles, then turn right onto Colorado 82 towards Aspen. Turn left onto County Road 25, then follow the road for 1 mile to a small parking area for the Colorado Trail. You have arrived!This trail starts near 9,200 feet of elevation and while yo...
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