United States
Colorado (CO)
Beaver Creek
Things to Do in Beaver Creek
Beaver Lake Trail
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Beaver Lake Trail

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Beaver Lake Trail
4.5
About
Moderate-to-difficult hiking trail that extends 6.6 miles from the Mitchell Lake Trailhead, beginning at 10,500 feet up to 11,300 feet elevation.
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Restaurants
75 within 3 miles
Grouse Mountain Grill
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0.2 mi$$$$ • American • Contemporary • Vegetarian Friendly
Golden Eagle Inn Restaurant
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Splendido at the Chateau
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0.3 mi$$$$ • American • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Blue Moose
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0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • American • Pizza
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Hooked
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0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Seafood • Sushi • Vegetarian Friendly
Alpine and Antlers
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0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Bar
Beaver Creek Chophouse
274
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • Steakhouse • Seafood • Gluten Free Options
8100' Mountainside Bar & Grill
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Coyote Café
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0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Mexican • American • Southwestern
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Attractions
21 within 6 miles
The Vail Church
1
213 ftChurches & Cathedrals
Beaver Creek Ski Area
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0.3 miSki & Snowboard Areas
Beaver Creek Nordic Center
49
0.2 miCross-country Ski Areas
Vilar Performing Arts Center
64
0.3 miTheaters
Vail / Beaver Creek Resort
419
0.3 miSki & Snowboard Areas
C. Anthony Gallery
4
0.3 miArt Galleries
Beaver Creek Tennis Center
7
0.4 miSports Camps & Clinics
Walking Mountains Science Center
168
2.8 miSpeciality Museums
Avon Recreation Center
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2.4 miSports Complexes
Art of the Valley Gallery
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2.1 miArt Galleries
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
123 reviews
Excellent
71
Very good
38
Average
6
Poor
5
Terrible
3
deborah k
Weatherford, TX13 contributions
Nice hike and definitely a “moderate” hike rating.
Jul 2020
This was a nice hike but make no mistake, it is a hike and not a casual walk. We went this last Saturday when the lift opened at 10. We saw only about 6 people on the way up, which was surprising since it is supposed to be a well-traveled trail. But once we got to the top there were about 20 people. It really wasn’t bad considering it was a Saturday and we didn’t go until mid-morning. Three of us went—two of us over 55 years old and one teenager. The teen had no problems nor did my husband (who runs 3+ miles every day). I, on the other hand, only had a problem about the last mile coming back. We did Royal Elk trail in and out. Coming back was a gradual climb and I am out of shape. Really not bad that I only had difficulty the last mile since I haven’t been to the gym in 2 years. Plus, I am from Texas so the altitude affected me. It is a beautiful hike and the lake is spectacular! Well worth the exhaustion on that last mile. We hung out at the lake for about 30 minutes and ate lunch, but had to quickly gather our belongings because of the sudden rain. We did not take our rain coats b/c it did not look like it was going to rain when we left the village. Big mistake that we know better than to make. Take the rain coat no matter what! We took the lift up and down. Just make sure you get back by 4:30 if you plan on taking the lift back down. It was not too hot at this time. I recommend hiking boots and poles because of all the rocks, but saw lots of people in just tennis shoes.
Written July 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
srvtx
San Antonio, TX201 contributions
No words capture the beauty
Jun 2020 • Couples
Stayed at Beaver Creek resort. Walked up from resort. Trail starts by fire station. Its a moderate to difficult hike. About 2 hours up and 1 1/2 hrs down. We took water and light snacks and stopped maybe 3 times going up. Last 20 minutes of trail are rocky and pretty steep. Take your time and pace yourself. The lake up top is well worth the hike and the scenery along the trails cant be described. Absolutely beautiful. 2 50+ yr olds made it without too much trouble. If you have any health conditions you might not want to try this.
Written June 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
frnklw
Providence, RI172 contributions
A great trail
Aug 2020
Read all of the reviews so we got an early start. Parking was not that clear, but make sure you drive all the way to the trailhead. There is only very limited parking! Parking at the school down the road was prohibited when we were there. The trail is moderate, at bit trying because of the elevation. The other benefit of going early, besides the parking, is that there was hardly a soul on the trail, but that changed as we returned and passed quite a few hikers.
Written August 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Steve S
Tulsa, OK139 contributions
Great hike and view!
Aug 2020 • Couples
This is an awesome hike. The lake is beautiful. Take a fishing pole. I will next time. Take a backpack with water and snacks. It is not an easy hike so avoid if not in reasonable shape. The lake is worth the effort. Almost seven miles roundtrip from BC village.
Written August 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Clayton-W-Scott
Memphis, TN62 contributions
Take the lift and use Royal Elk
Jul 2017 • Family
Beaver Lake Trail is a pretty serious up hill hike to the lake. An easier option (although maybe little longer) is to take Centential lift up to the Royal Elk trial and hike over to Beaver Lake. We had the whole trail to ourself and had beautiful views the whole hike. The hike over to Beaver Lake on Royal Elk is almost flat (except for the last .25 mile) so it is pretty easy. And then we used the Beaver Lake Trail to hike back down to town center. I would highly recommend this route. The lake itself is beautiful and peaceful. Our round trip was 6 miles. Kids could easily do this hike since it mostly flat and then downhill on the way back.
Written August 9, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
johnandbabette
Weston, Fl193 contributions
A Wonderful Day
Aug 2015 • Friends
We took the guided tour offered by the Beaver Creek Hiking Center and we are very glad that we did! Our guide Nick was very knowledgeable, charming, good company and an excellent instructor. It was the first time that we had hiked with a guide and found it well worth the cost as we learnt about the area, the wildlife, the ski run management, the flora and the fauna. We started at Spruce Saddle then took the Royal Elk trail to Beaver Lake, it cuts across the Birds of Prey runs before ascending to the lake. It is a beautiful and, at least for us, sometimes challenging trail. After a very welcome and adequate picnic lunch at the lake, provided by the Hiking Center, we made our way down the Beaver Lake trail, not nearly as pleasant as Royal Elk. Our thanks to the folks at the Hiking Center and most of all to Nick for a fabulous day in the mountains! We can recommend them and Nick without hesitation or reservation
Written August 27, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Michael G
Westminster, CO29 contributions
Stunning
Jul 2015 • Friends
We hiked to beaver lake from Bachelor Gulch over the village to village connect trail. This a long hike, you can shorten it up by busing over to Beaver Creek and then up the Beaver lake trail. The village connect trail is beautiful once you get off the ski trails and into the woods. It is moderate up down and flat through the pines and aspens. The wild flowers were popping the weekend we were there. The junction with beaver lake trail is 90 minutes from the Ritz Carlton moving at a good pace. From the junction to Beaver lake is about an hour over single track and old mine road it, it is all up along beaver creek. Once you get to the Holy Cross wilderness sign you are about 15 minutes from the lake. Once at the lake keep heading south to the lake inlet. You have to hike down to it but the reward is no people and a stunning view. We took off our shoes and wadeded across, only about knee deep and muddy bottom, and hiked around the west side of the lake. This is a path less traveled and you will have to bush whack a little. There is a single log crossing the outlet to get you back to the main trail. Back down we took Royal elk trail across to the centennial express, that portion is 55 minutes to cover. At the top of the lift grab a cold one and enjoy the views of the Gore range and the ride down. It's a free ride down.Total time; 4.5 hours and 7 miles. There are a lot of trails all well marked and lots of signs to guide you, if you just do the Beaver lake out and back you will not be sorry.
Written July 25, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
maturetraveler9
Houston, TX98 contributions
Not an attractive hike
Oct 2014 • Couples
We took a hike on this trail today based on the various reviews on Trip Advisor. This was an extremely disappointing hike:

1. Beaver Creek is a gated winter resort not geared toward hiking or nature walking. Parking is very controlled and limited. Info for hikers are hard to find. Sign posts to trailheads non-existent. Hikers need to park at the Village Center as the resort prohibits parking elsewhere and many roads are marked for residents only. All of this means one has to hike along road paths up the hills, then on to a gravel road through many muddy construction sites (parking along this gated road are for a large number of constructions or for services folks only - no trailhead parking ). After 25 minutes of hiking along civilization, one would get to the trailhead.

2. After the trailhead, the trail is along a small gravel road along the Beaver Creek into the ski area. On the other side of the creek is another larger gravel road for construction vehicles. Evidence of past constructions are everywhere.

3. After 1.30 miles and a few hundred feet of additional elevation, one would arrive near another ongoing busy construction site.

4. The trail continues along the creek in the forest. One can still hear the construction pounding for another 15 minutes. There is no opening vista or scenery, no meadow clearing, only artificial clearing due to ski trail maintenance.

Why should any hiker endure 2.75 miles uphill hike to see human development and hear construction / man made noises before one get to a more natural area?

Comparing with hikes at other ski resort area Aspen (Maroon Bell, Independent Pass Area), Jackson Hole, Lake Tahoe, Taos etc.. and national parks, this hike deserves a 2 star only. This is a hike to avoid for nature lovers.
Written October 22, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
TheOpsDoctor
Springboro, OH558 contributions
Not for the faint of heart
Aug 2019
First, here's the info on the trail head. Follow village road to the church and go past it. If you follow the sidewalk by where the church members park you will see the sign for the 5 senses trail. It parallels Village Road all the way to the trail head. My advice is to skip the senses trail and stick to the road.

The trail is pretty much up hill the entire way. Because of this it requires more exertion than people who are less than fully fit might be willing to commit.

After making it to the lake, we then cut over on the Royal Elk Trail because other reviews stated it was flat and would lead to a free gondola ride down. This is only partly true. The R.E.T. is very steep for the first 0.8 miles. It is more demanding in many placed than the Beaver Lake trail. One key thing no one mentioned.... Free gondola ride down stops at 4:30. If you miss it, its a REALLY long way down.
Written August 9, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Karen A
Norfolk, NE49 contributions
OMG, We almost DIED!!!
Jul 2018
This was told to us as being a moderate hike. The first part was, the 5 senses hike, piece of cake. Then we went on toward Beaver Lake hike. Way hard! But we were to far in so we forged on. Took some hikers advice and was going to cut across and eventually ride the Gondola down. Well, talk about treturous! Death defying drop offs, steep rocky terrain, narrow horrific paths! So we went along thinking we could make it, more hikers said we were STILL 2 MILES AWAY from this fabled gondola ride so we had to turn around and hike BACK FROM WHERE WE CAME FROM. We are from Nebraska, low elevation and flat. We seriously about had a heart attack.
In summary, take tons of water, walking sticks, nerve pills and don’t be old or even slightly overweight,
Written July 18, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Beaver Lake Trail (Beaver Creek) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Frequently Asked Questions about Beaver Lake Trail