Vail Pass Path
Breckenridge, CO, 80443
The Vail Pass Path is a bicycle pathway that cuts through the Vail Pass, between Vail and Copper Mountain. A popular way to see the area around Breckenridge, the path runs about 15 miles (24 kilometers), though cyclists can extend their ride when continuing on the Vail Pass National Recreation Trail.
The basics
You could drive the Shrine Pass roadway to cut through the Vail Pass, but cycling is often the mode of choice for travelers who want to explore the area. The Vail Pass Path requires a nearly 9-mile (14-kilometer) ascent from Vail before offering a bit of thigh relief with a downhill coast to Copper Mountain. Technically, you can access the path from Glenwood Canyon, as well, with a connection via Frisco.
Things to know before you go
The elevation of the path hits 10,666 feet (3,251 meters).
In cooler months, be aware that snowfall and ice can hit the pathway.
The eastern side of the Shrine Pass is always for nonmotorized traffic in the winter.
How to get there
You can either access the Vail Pass Path from Copper Mountain or from the outskirts of Vail. From Copper Mountain, ride the Ten Mile Canyon National Recreation Trail west to the Vail Pass Bike Path. From Vail, you’ll take I-70 to exit 180 and then follow the road just past the Gore Creek Campground.
When to get there
It’s best to tackle the Vail Pass Path in the shoulder seasons, when temperatures are more favorable yet the summer and winter crowds have dwindled down. The full ride shouldn’t take the experienced cyclist more than 2 hours, though most people get an early start so they can stop along the way or plan activities in Copper Mountain or Vail.
Mountain biking galore in Breckenridge
If you’re interested in testing your cycling skills on unpaved trails, Breckenridge has plenty only a pedal away. The Boreas Pass is a 22-mile (35-kilometer) unpaved road that’s generally quiet and better for beginners. Experts should attempt Segment 6 of the Colorado Trail: a 33-mile (53-kilometer) route from Kenosha Pass down into Breckenridge.
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