The well-known and loved Berry Picker Trail offers an exhilarating hiking experience with stunning alpine scenery. If you are looking for a challenging yet rewarding hike in the Vail area, the Berry Picker Trail is an excellent choice.
Let’s hike up a ski hill! Mentally, this sounds incredibly daunting (Especially since my favorite part of skiing is literally the ride uphill) but the Berry Picker Trail is one of my favorites and I can’t recommend it enough.
Trail Overview
Berrypicker Trail hikes up Vail Mountain to Eagle’s Nest from Lionshead Village. The trail steeply winds through meadows of wildflowers (which are the ski runs during winter), aspen groves, and pine stands.
The hike is often done as a one-way with help from the Eagle Bahn Gondola taking the return journey.
Living Local - Berry Picker Trail - Vail, CO
Getting to the Trailhead
The hiking trail starts just over the bridge at the base of Vail Mountain in Lionshead Village.
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Route Description for Berrypicker Trail
This trail could be done from the top of the Eagle Bahn Gondola coming down or walking up from the Village and taking the Gondola back down. This description is for walking up from Lionshead Village.
From Lionshead Village, cross the bridge beside the Eagle Bahn Gondola that passes over Gore Creek. Beginning at the base of the Lionshead gondola, the trail winds its way up the east side of the Bwana ski run before delving into the tranquil woods.
The trail starts out with a steep 0.5 km ascent up the side of a grassy field (a ski run during winter). When you start this hike don’t be discouraged! The hardest part is the first several hundred feet which feels almost straight up hill.
As the trail flattens you will cross a wide mountain bike trail. Be sure to look both ways and cross safely towards the Berrypicker trail sign. The trail resumes its ascent up the mountain for 1.6 km, but the incline is much more gradual.
After that you wind through the Aspens (bookmark this trail for fall!) and then cross the ski runs. The trail zig-zags through shady sections of aspen and pine trees. Walking across a spot you know a few months from now will be way over your head with snow and people will be skiing down - is very cool.
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3.2 km in, the trail meanders through another meadow offering brilliant views of the Gore Range across from Vail Mountain. Next, you’ll be on an open ski-trail meadow that is a black diamond run during the ski season.
One last final push and you’re on top of Vail Mountain! The last 0.5 km of trail has podium stands with information about native wildlife and plants. The trail ends on the bottom left side of Eagle’s Nest, where Vail Mountain offers numerous fun activities at “Epic Discovery”.
Follow the trail back through the ski runs and aspen and pine stands, or you cam take the gondola back to Lionshead Village to finish your hike! My favorite way is to hike up because taking the gondola down at the end is so satisfying.
Things to Note
Despite its initially challenging start, hikers are rewarded with captivating views of the Gore Range as they ascend through rooted and rocky terrain, crossing streams and encountering vibrant wildflowers along the way. Be mindful of trail junctions with service roads and downhill bike routes.
A wuick note on parking in Vail, while it’s expensive during the winter it’s free at the lots for daytime parking in the summer. Vail Village, which is east of Lionshead Village, is home to Yeti’s Grind which has all the caffeine drinks necessary to get you energized for the hike while Vail Brewing Co.
Read also: Comprehensive Vail Resorts Overview
The gondola offers free rides down the mountain until 4:30pm.
Trail Etiquette and Environmental Responsibility
Exploring Vail goes hand in hand with caring for our beautiful natural environment.
- Stash it until you can trash it - anything you bring with you, you must pack back out.
- Do pick up the doo - pack out all dog poop.
- Give them space - observe wildlife from a distance and do not follow or approach them.
- Take the trail less traveled - there are more than 100 miles of hiking trails in the Vail area!
Dogs are allowed in the White River National Forest, but may not be on permitted in certain areas of Vail Mountain Resort. Please adhere to any posted signs.
Other Trails to Explore in Vail
Here are some other trails in the Vail area you might enjoy:
- Gore Valley Trail: A picturesque, mixed-use paved path stretching from Dowd Junction to East Vail, predominantly following the serene Gore Creek. This 12-mile trail includes dedicated pathways as well.
- Lost Lake Trail: Offers a scenic and moderately challenging hike suitable for trail runners and mountain bikers alike. The trail starts at the Lost Lake West Trailhead and spans 6.8 miles.
- Shrine Ridge Trail: Begins at the trailhead located off I-70, leading hikers through lush alpine meadows adorned with vibrant wildflowers during the spring and summer months.
- Upper Piney Trail: Located near Vail, Colorado, is a 6-mile out-and-back route that offers a moderately challenging hike with diverse scenery. Starting at Piney Lake, one of Vail’s most picturesque locations.
- Meadows Loop Trail: Offers a scenic 2.5-mile journey through alpine meadows and forests. Purchase a Scenic Gondola Ticket and ride Gondola One from the Village up to Mid-Vail.
Enjoy your hike!