Biking

In the heart of Vail Valley, Arrowhead provides central access to some of the most beautiful views of the Rocky Mountain Range accessible through road and mountain biking.

The trail system in Arrowhead consists of several multi-use trails that facilitate both hiking and mountain biking. For mountain bikers, these trails were professionally built as single-track and maintained as such. It is important to note the mountain bikers must always yield to hikers, and downhill riders must yield to uphill riders. 

The mountain biking trails present some technical challenges to mountain bikers in the form of steady and sometimes steep climbs, as well as banked hairpin curves on the switchbacks. The trails are otherwise not extremely technical, as tree roots, stumps and boulders have largely been cleared from the single-track. Riding these trails requires a certain level of cardio fitness due to vertical differences between top and bottom. The trails should be considered to be Intermediate-level trails, and should only be ridden using mountain bikes with functional suspensions and tires.  Beginners can certainly enjoy riding the trails, but because of the climbs and the sharp turns, most beginners may find themselves walking their bikes on certain stretches.

Bicyclist Code

To ensure the wellbeing of all and the continued ability to offer these recreational opportunities within Arrowhead, everyone is expected to follow the Cyclist Policy when biking in Arrowhead:

• Bicyclists, Drivers, and Pedestrians must comply with State of Colorado laws regarding vehicles and traffic.

• Guests bicyclists must enter the Arrowhead community only at the main Arrowhead Drive entrance and check-in with a public safety officer.

• Bicyclists, Drivers, and Pedestrians should obey all posted signs along the roads and trails, with the exception that Cyclists may treat stop signs as yield signs when no traffic is present.

• Bicyclists are advised to ride single file when possible.

• Bicyclists should remain as close as possible to the right-hand curb or edge of the road or trail to the degree it can be done safely.

• Bicyclists should signal the intention to turn or stop on all roads and trails within Arrowhead.

• Everyone should take extra care on Cresta Road to stay in their lane and follow speed limits, especially when descending. Bicyclists should follow the green symbols on the road for the proper lanes and refrain from cutting corners into other traffic lanes.

• When passing a Bicyclist, Drivers must allow at least three feet of space between the widest point of the right side of the vehicle (including mirrors and trailers) and the widest point of a Bicyclist in accordance with Colorado law.

• Anyone using the trails in Arrowhead must respect the trails, refrain from littering or otherwise generating waste, remain on the established trails and respectfully share the trails with others.

• Hikers have the right of way.

• Mountain Bikers are asked to refrain from accessing excessively wet and/or muddy trails due to the risk of trail subsidence or inadvertent trail enlargement. “A muddy trail is a closed trail”.