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The Eagle Valley Trails runs between Dotsero and Vail in three disconnected segments. The 42-mile route passes through multiple towns along the I-70 corridor, offering scenic mountain and river views. The paved trail is well-maintained and suitable for a multitude of uses.
About the Route
The Eagle Valley Trail leaves off from its western endpoint on the eastern outskirts of Dotsero and soon enters the Duck Pond Open Space which offers boating and fishing access, picnic areas, and restrooms. After about 4 miles the route enters Gypsum and meanders through residential neighborhoods. Once in town, the trail forms a loop with the upper leg continuing to follow US 6 and the lower leg paralleling Cooley Mesa Road. The loop offers access to local schools, businesses, the library, and the recreation center. On the way out of Gypsum, the trail borders Eagle County Regional Airport and then once again follows US 6 eastward. Here, the trail also parallels active railroad tracks.
As the trail approaches the community of Eagle, it traverses the Brush Creek Confluence Open Space, a popular fishing spot. The trail runs through downtown Eagle, lining the route with numerous restaurants and shops. From downtown, the trail continues for about 7 miles northeast, nestled between US 6 and I-70. The western segment of the Eagle Valley Trail ends just before reaching Wolcott.
The middle segment of the Eagle Valley Trail runs between Edwards and Eagle-Vail. The western endpoint of the trail sits just off US 6 by Calvary Chapel Vail Valley. Parallel to US 6, the route continues through the trendy and boutique-filled downtowns of Edwards, Avon, and Eagle-Vail. The eastern endpoint of this trail segment sits just before the town end of Eagle-Vail.
The western endpoint of the eastern segment of the Eagle Valley Trail sits at the entrance to Kayak Court just off US 6. Heading eastward the trail is sandwiched between US 6 and the Eagle River before the route takes a slight left and runs alongside I-70 and Gore Creek. This segment of the route runs through “mini-Switzerland,” or the town of Vail, and sits along the bottom of the Vail Ski Resort with easy access to downtown Vail. The trail runs eastward out of Vail, passing by the Vail Golf Course and entering one of the more quiet and secluded parts of the Eagle Valley Trail. The easternmost endpoint for the Eagle Valley Trail sits at the entrance of a subdivision at the intersection of Big Horn and Bridge Road.
Trail History
The development of the Eagle Valley Trail was part of Governor Hickenlooper’s Colorado the Beautiful initiative. The Eagle Valley Trail is one of 16 trails included in Governor Hickenlooper’s “16 in 2016,” an initiative to improve vital trail systems in Colorado that allows Coloradans to have easy access to trails or open spaces.
The Eagle Valley Trails runs between I-70 Frontage RD (Dotsero) and Aspen Meadows RD (Wolcott), between US 6 (Edwards) and US 6 (Eagle-Vail), and between Kayak Court (Eagle-Vail) and Bridge Rd (Vail) with parking options along the entirety of the route.
Parking is also available at:
Please see TrailLink Map for all parking options and detailed directions
Although not mentioned in the trail description there is another section of the Eagle Valley Trail from the west end of Edwards towards the east to the intersection of the Gore Valley Trail east of the small town of Eagle-Vail. Additionally, they are actively working on the trail to the east of Eagle with about 6 miles completed. Will ride that section before long and report on progress.
Started this section of the trail in Edwards. Parked in the free underground parking garage at the Riverwalk shopping area. Easy trail access from the garage. (Major construction on the Edwards Access Road and Hwy 6 intersection.) Starting at the garage avoided having to ride through construction zone. Rode east to the Gore Valley Trail (0.0 mile marker is at the intersection of Gore Creek and Eagle River) and then another 5 miles to the Lionshead parking garage in Vail. This was a steady gradual uphill climb to Vail. Nothing bad but is uphill.
The trail is good condition and with some cracking. It is a wide path for the most part and well marked, better than the section in Eagle and Gypsum. For a Wednesday morning there was a lot of traffic (bikers, runners, boarders, walkers, etc.) on much of the trail. Easy enough to get around but do need to watch going around blind corners.
The trail follows closely along the Eagle River, past condos, golf courses, riparian areas, etc. There are some sections alongside Hwy 6 and the portion through Eagle-Vail is on the main road with wide shoulders. Portion of the Gore Valley Trail is also along the Frontage Road but not a lot of traffic.
Overall I enjoyed this trail and would do it again.
Future adventure will be to ride from Lionshead parking garage east to the top of Vail Pass. Will be lots of uphill on that trail.
Make sure you have access to a trail map before starting this one. There is some signage but very little and not enough to figure out the trail route.
Started on the West end of trail at Duck Pond (near Dotsero) and rode into Eagle to where the trail seemed to just end, no signage indicating which direction to go. Had gone far enough to call it quits at that point.
First part of trail followed along the river with a good trail surface. Got misplaced in Gypsum and had to back track some. No signage in town at all. From Gypsum to Eagle trail condition was ok with some cross trail cracking and short section of construction at end of airport runway.
Not a flat trail but no steep grades either. Didn’t realize the elevation gain from Dotsero end to Eagle until the return trip.
Worthy of a check when in the area.
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