North Trail

North Trail offers riders in the Vail area a good aerobic workout in a relatively short amount of time. North trail climbs and levels out several times as it ascends the mountainside, allowing riders here a brief bit of relief from the grind uphill and making the experience just a bit more pleasant.

The summit views of the North Trail are grand, with excellent vistas of Vail Resort and surrounding peaks. The downhill portion of the trail features intermediate level singletrack, a great reward to the climbing to get there! There are a multitude of spur trails that split off the North Trail, allowing riders to turn a visit here into an epic all day affair or to bail early if the climb becomes too much.

Riders on North Trail should follow right of way protocol when meeting other recreationalist groups. North Trail is high elevation and can experience sudden weather shifts, so riders should bring appropriate warm layers in anticipation of this. In addition, riders should be prepared with a stocked repair kit and first aid kit. A trail map of the area, available local sporting goods shops in Vail, could come in handy, as there are mazes of trails in the area.

From I-70 take the West Vail Exit. Go around the round-a-bout and get on the North Frontage Road. Follow to Arosa Drive. Take a right on Arosa Dr. Go two blocks and take a left on Trail Road. The trail starts here. Once on the trail there are several Y intersections. At the first take a right. At the second take a left. Trail eventually empties back to Arosa Drive.