Vail Hiking and Backpacking Information

Among the endless variety of Vail family activities, hiking & backpacking in the Colorado Mountains is a strong favorite.

Vail Nature Center Hiking Club

Hiking and backpacking enthusiasts will want to join Vail's Nature Center Hiking Club. Spend the summer wandering the hills of Vail Mountain looking for views, wildflowers and everything else that Rocky Mountain hiking offers.

Join the Nature Center Hiking Club and spend the summer with us as we wander the hills looking for views, wildflowers and everything else that Rocky Mountain hiking offers. Every hiking trail goes to a different destination and all our hikes are educational and informative, making them a great family activity. If you plan on going on more than three hikes with the Nature Center, it pays to join the Hiking Club. Hiking Club membership lets you go on all hikes, plus gives you priority placing on our Hiking Club Eco-Tour Hut Trips.

Hiking Club Eco-Tour Hut Trips

Each summer the Vail Nature Center Hiking Club embarks on three day, two night hikes into the backcountry, staying at one of the 10th Mtn. Hut Association huts. These are wonderful adventures providing lots of hiking, fishing, mountain climbing, socializing or just relaxing on the hut deck.

Adult Backcountry Hikes

Every Tuesday and Thursday during the summer months, we meet early at the Nature Center and head for the hills. These all day hikes range throughout the Holy Cross and Eagles Nest wilderness areas and are led by one or two experienced naturalist guides from the Nature Center. Our Rocky Mountain hikes go at a pace where we can take time to look at the wildflowers, birds and all the other "nature" along the trail. You will get plenty of exercise as well, although we don't push too hard. Most of our Vail hikes are doable by folks in reasonably good condition and acclimated to the altitude.

Adult Half-Day Hikes

The Vail Nature Center leads half-day hikes for folks who don't have the time or just aren't up for a full day in the wilds. A Nature Center naturalist guides these half-day hikes, and we do the same exploration as on our full day hikes. These hikes are easy walks, along trails close to town. Bring rain gear, snacks and sturdy, comfortable footwear.