Berrypicker Trail

What a great hike. Starting at the bottom of Vail mountain and ending at the top of the mountain. This trail is great for someone who lives in the mountains or someone who is just visiting. The trail is not very hard but he vertical rise is quite a bit, getting to the top is about a 2300 foot again in altitude, when you get to the top you will feel it in you legs. Trail runners will really like this trail as it is not very steep. The trail works it’s way back and forth across the mountain, keeping the vertical to a minimum and never to strenuous. Would recommend this trail for kids, however getting a little one to the top might be a challenge with the 4 miles of hiking it will take you to get to the top. Overall I have completed the trail in about 3 hours, but I have seem other complete the hike in less time and others need more time.
The reward when getting to the top is the free gondola ride back down. If you where to buy a lift ticket and ride the gondola from the bottom it would cost you around 30 dollars.
Highly recommend for all hikers.

This is a great hike! It’s all up hill which makes a great workout and the views are amazing.

Wow steep and in the woods. Intimidating to see all the locals hiking up and down without any water at all! You don’t get the spectacular views at the top but it is a wonderful walk through meadows and forests. it is steep downhill, so just make sure to bring sturdy shoes and tie them tight so you don’t get toe jam.

The Berrypicker Trail is a 4.5 mile path that starts at the base of Vail Mountain in Vail Village and then winds its way up to the top via a number of switchbacks.
The first half of the trek weaves through thickly wooded patches of aspen trees which are gorgeous with their greenish-​gold coin leaves flapping in the wind. You also cross a number of small creeks and blue/​white Columbines (Colorado’s state flower) are easy to spot along the route. The last half of the trail zig zags you up through grassy open meadows and the scenery is, of course, breathtaking no matter where you look.
It took my girlfriend and me 2 ¼ hours to reach the top where the Eagle’s Nest complex is located but my fit husband dashed ahead and made it in 1 ½ hours.
From a practical perspective, the Berrypicker Trail is well marked although there are no indications of distance either coming or going which would have been nice. You see the Gondola and get your hopes up that you’re near the top but you still have a ways to go. Once you get to Eagle’s Nest, there is a restaurant, bar, restrooms, etc… and the best beer you will ever taste in your life. Make sure to go out to the wooden deck which is grand spot for photo ops and has telescopes for viewing the mountain range. Last of all, a very welcome perk is the free Gondola ride down!