Vail and its neighboring mountain Beaver Creek are best known as wintertime ski destinations, but these scenic Rocky Mountain peaks just west of Denver are a hotbed for outdoor recreation year-round. This means there’s fantastic running in Vail, with a great combination of multi-use paths and trail running opportunities. Our guide to the area includes the broader Vail Valley area, including Vail, Beaver Creek, Avon, and Edwards.
A number of flat, paved pedestrian/bike paths — Eagle Valley Trail, Gore Creek Trail, Vail Pass Trail, and the North Recreation Path — stretch through the Eagle Valley, providing some lovely runs right through the main village areas. There’s also great lift-serviced trail running on the mountains of Vail and Beaver Creek. Runners can find a unique route, using summer chairlifts to access routes like the Kinnickinick Trail, or traveling between Beaver Creek’s main residential areas on the Village to Village Trail. Other paths such as the Boneyard Trail, Ice Rink Trail, and Eagle-Vail Trail offer good opportunities for not-too-technical jaunts on scenic singletrack.
A free public bus system makes getting around the Vail area easy and economical. Additionally, many hotels offer local shuttle services to and from the major mountain areas. Note that Vail’s altitude is at 8,000 feet, so use caution and make sure to hydrate.