Vail, Colorado

Top Spots in and near Vail

  • Aspen, Colorado

    Ski the Aspen Highland Bowl

    / 782 ft gain
    Being able to ski or snowboard the Highland Bowl requires a good set of lungs and legs. Accessing the 12,382-foot peak requires taking a couple of lifts from the base of Aspen Highlands Mountain (Exhibition then Loge Peak), then some serious leg work (expect a 30-60-minute hike). Some parts of th...
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  • Idaho Springs, Colorado

    Hiking James Peak (13,294')

    8.3 mi / 3000 ft gain
    James Peak is one of 76 13,000'+ peaks in Colorado's front range. On your way up to the peak you will pass St. Mary's Glacier. It is not an actual glacier yet a permeant snow field that is popular among skiers and snowboarders year round. St. Mary's Glaicer is a very popular destination (though m...
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  • Idaho Springs, Colorado

    Lower and Upper Chicago Lake

    4.7
    9.22 mi / 2270 ft gain
    From the parking lot, stay to the right of Echo Lake and you will run into the Chicago Lakes Trailhead. Follow the switchbacks down and across Chicago Creek. After crossing the creek, follow the sign indicating that the trail follows the dirt road and hang a left; from here, you'll reach the Idah...
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  • Idaho Springs, Colorado

    Echo Lake Park Loop

    4.0
    1.23 mi / 103.02 ft gain
    Located at the base of Mt. Evans Road, Echo Lake sits next to Squaw Pass Road, providing a great jumping-off point for numerous adventures. The park serves as a trailhead for hiking or snowshoeing into the Mount Evans Wilderness, offers picnic areas, and includes a nearby campground with 17 site...
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  • Idaho Springs, Colorado

    Idaho Springs Reservoir via Echo Lake

    4.0
    3.64 mi / 826.12 ft gain
    This is a great hiking area an hour outside of Denver, Colorado. It's still easily accessible in the winter and most of the time it can be hiked without snowshoes. Starting at the Echo Lake parking lot, hike around the right side of the lake until you reach a fork in the trail. Follow the path o...
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  • Idaho Springs, Colorado

    St. Mary's Glacier

    4.3
    1.86 mi / 758 ft gain
    Just West of Idaho Springs on I-70 take the St. Mary's Alice Exit. Take a right and stay on the main road and follow the signs for about 8 miles (watch on the right side of the road for a surprise pink pig). There are two parking lots for the trailhead. The larger one is South of the trail and a ...
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  • Nederland, Colorado

    Hike Rollins Pass to Devils Thumb

    2.1 mi / 622 ft gain
    Corona Lake is an easy, short hike if you're pressed for time. It's scenic, secluded, and will put you in a great spot to hike to Devils Thumb the next day. There are two ways to reach Devils Thumb. This is considered the "easier" route because of the "lack of elevation gain." The sun and wind re...
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  • Evergreen, Colorado

    Bristlecone Loop

    5.0
    0.29 mi / 73 ft gain
    On the way to the summit of Mt. Evans sits a small 160 acre preserve of some of the world's oldest living trees. The Mount Goliath Natural Area protects a rare site of Bristlecone Pines that make excellent photographic subjects. Immediately after parking you're surrounded by a miniature forest f...
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  • Buena Vista, Colorado

    Backpack the Buffalo Peaks Wilderness Loop

    5.0
    11.7 mi / 2000 ft gain
    Starting at the Rich Creek Campground this wonderful moderate hike forms a loop by connecting the Rich Creek Trail and the Tumble Creek trail. in the Buffalo Peaks wilderness. Flanked by the Collegiate Peaks, in Spring and Summer the area is awash with rushing creeks, lush wet lowlands & deep...
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  • Aspen, Colorado

    Ski or Snowshoe to the Maroon Bells

    5.0
    12 mi / 1000 ft gain
    From Aspen drive down Maroon Creek Road until it comes to its winter closure located by T Lazy 7 Ranch. The Ranch offers snowmobile tours and keeps the six mile snow covered road to the Bells groomed. Most popular with cross country skiers, the snow road can also be hiked, fat biked, and skinned....
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  • Aspen, Colorado

    Hike the Mayfly Trail, Snowmass

    0.25 mi
    Located in Snowmass Village CO, this trail is nestled between Brush Creek and Brush Creek Road.Drive your vehicle to Clark's Market (16 Kearns rd Aspen, CO) and park in the lot facing down valley looking towards Woodbridge Condominiums. Along the edge of Clark's parking lot there will be a dirt t...
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  • Nederland, Colorado

    Heart and Rogers Pass Lakes

    4.8
    8.62 mi / 2113 ft gain
    The hike begins at the East Portal Trailhead outside Rollinsville. Start hiking along the South Boulder trail to the right (north) of the very obvious Moffat Rail tunnel. The trail begins with moderate grades past the Forest Lakes cutoff just 1.25 miles from the trailhead. Continue hiking straigh...
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  • Aspen, Colorado

    Ski or Snowboard the Burnt Mountain Glades of Snowmass

    5.0
    3.5 mi
    This is part of the Aspen Snowmass Ski area so you'll have to buy a ski pass to take the lift up, or if you're up for a bigger workout, put some skins on and trek up to the top of Elk Camp. The easiest way to get there is to take the Elk Camp gondola to the Elk Camp lift. Once at the top of the l...
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  • Aspen, Colorado

    Ski the Rocky Mountain High Trail at Snowmass

    This is part of the Aspen Snowmass ski area so you'll have to buy a ski pass to take the lift up. The easiest way to get there is to take the Village Express lift to the top and once you get off turn left. You'll ski down the "blue" trail, Max Park, to Trestle and end at the Sheer Bliss lift. Tak...
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  • Aspen, Colorado

    Downhill Mountain Bike the Verde and Viking Trails at Aspen Snowmass

    3.8 mi / 1900 ft gain
    The Verde and Viking trails at Aspen Snowmass resort are long winding trails perfect for beginners and intermediates. The trails are a combination of open and forest-lined paths varying from 1 to 6 feet wide. They both do a nice job of combining large wide turns where you can keep your speed to e...
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  • Aspen, Colorado

    Camp at Silver Bell Campground

    Escape the bustle of town and head out of Aspen on Maroon Creek Road. Follow the signs to Maroon-Bells Snowmass Wilderness Area. There is a $10 entrance fee (unless you are a national parks pass cardholder) plus an additional fee to camp. Continue down the road to Silver Bell Campground. With a t...
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