The Berry Picker Trail is 3.1 miles one way, rated advanced by Discover Vail, and climbs about 2,200 feet from the base of the Lionshead gondola. Here's the route, when hiking season runs, and how to plan around the gondola and the mountain's rules.
Berry Picker Trail at a glance
| Detail | Discover Vail's figure |
|---|---|
| Distance | 3.1 miles, one way |
| Difficulty | Advanced |
| Beginning elevation | 8,120 feet |
| Ending elevation | 10,300 feet |
| Elevation gain | 2,200 feet |
| Crowds | Moderate |
| Trailhead | Base of the Lionshead gondola |
The trail climbs the east side of the Bwana ski run before entering the woods, with a steep initial pitch. Rooted and rocky ground gives way to open views of the Gore Range as hikers gain elevation, with a few stream crossings and wildflowers along the way. Watch for trail junctions with service roads and downhill bike routes as you climb. The Berrypicker Trail listing and the Lionshead Village listing cover the trailhead area.
Is it the right hike for your group?
An advanced rating and a 2,200-foot gain mean this is a work-for-the-view hike, not a stroller walk or a first outing at altitude. Vail sits around 8,150 feet on average, and the trail tops out above 10,000, so the guide to how high Vail is is worth reading before a first-day hike. For an easier day, the comparison table in the guide to hiking in Vail gives Discover Vail's distances and difficulty for other trails, and the Booth Lake Trail listing covers a different hike near Vail.
Season, gondola and getting down
Hiking season in Vail runs May through November. Some trails have seasonal closures to protect wildlife during fawning season, so follow posted signs and reroutes where they're in place. Snow-free dates for the Berry Picker vary by year; check conditions at a Vail Welcome Center, which also hands out trail maps, before you go.
The trail begins at the base of the Lionshead gondola, known as the Eagle Bahn Gondola. At the top, hikers can either walk back down the same path or ride the gondola back to the base. In 2026, Vail Mountain's summer season runs June 12 to September 27, open daily through September 7 and then Friday through Sunday; Gondola One in Vail Village opens June 12, and the Eagle Bahn Gondola opens June 19. Children 12 and under ride free with an adult scenic-ride ticket, and gondola-accessed hiking depends on weather and snowmelt, so ask at the ticket office about a one-way downhill ride before you start up. Check Vail Mountain's site for current-year dates.
What to bring and trail manners
Pack water, a backpack, waterproof rain gear, sturdy waterproof shoes or boots, SPF 30 or higher sunscreen, food, a hat, sunglasses, a map or GPS, a first aid kit and dry extra layers. Stay on the trail, pack out trash, give wildlife space and never feed animals. Dogs are allowed in the White River National Forest but may not be permitted in certain areas of Vail Mountain Resort, so follow the posted signs and keep dogs leashed. Moose, coyote, mountain lion and elk are present in the area. For a fuller dog-by-trail rundown, see dog-friendly activities in Vail.
The Berry Picker race
The Vail Recreation District's trail race named for the route, the Vail Berry Picker, is set for August 1, 2026, starting at 8 a.m. at the base of Gondola One in Vail Village. Runners climb the 1.3-mile Strawberry Lane Trail, an alternative beginning of the Berry Picker Trail from the Vail Village side that meets the Lionshead-based route at a junction, then continue up Berry Picker before turning onto Lower Fireweed to finish at Mid-Vail — a longer, steeper start than the 3.1-mile hiking figure above. The race's own numbers do not agree on total distance: the course description gives 4.6 miles at an average 14 percent grade, while the course-stats panel gives 4.3 miles. Race date, time and course are subject to change, and dogs and bikes are not allowed on the gondola during the race.
For other summer ideas near the trailhead, see the guide to things to do in Vail in summer.
