Shrine Mountain Trail
Shrine Mountain Trail
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
64 reviews
Excellent
45
Very good
16
Average
2
Poor
1
Terrible
0
aicia
Wolcott, CO1 contribution
Jul 2021 • Couples
Beautiful moderate trail with so many wildflowers! We have done this trail in both the fall and spring and it is magnificent each time. Don’t let all the cards in the lot scare u off, a long trail and plenty of room for people to be on their own.
Written September 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Magictravelnow
Dallas, TX424 contributions
Jun 2020
Lovely walkable hike with magnificent views and wild flowers. You could just stand in one place for hours it is so gorgeous. If you want a short hike or a long hike it is perfect to capture one of the prettiest views I have seen in the Vail area.
Written April 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Annette
13 contributions
Jul 2020
I'm an inexperienced hiker but motivated by the astounding beauty of Colorado. Of all the hikes we've done during our stay this was by far my favorite. The views are spectacular. Mount of the Holy Cross being the focal point. There was still a little snow on the ground and the kids had fun having a snowball fight in their shorts and tshirts!
Written July 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David V
1 contribution
Jul 2020 • Family
If this is easy to get to, I would hate to see hard to get to. You have to drive down a one lane narrow dirt (and very rugged) road for over two miles. Do not attempt this without 4 wheel drive and high clearance. We unfortunately did not get to see the trail because we had to turn around in our minivan about a mile in due to the condition of the road.
Written July 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JaimeMexico
Santa Fe New Mexico205 contributions
Sep 2019
Easy to get to the trailhead at about 10,700'. Then you go down for a quarter mile and then up all the way to the ridge. Well worth the hike for the beautiful vistas and flora. Had a moonrise which was a bonus.
Written September 23, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lauren O
New York City, NY16 contributions
Aug 2019
the shrine ridge trail - is magnificent. when you reach the end - you see 360' panoramic views - which is overwhelmingly beautiful!! the wildflowers are also really nice along the hike! many dogs on trail as well. it's about a 3 hour round trip hike. - moderate -
Written September 13, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Irving22
Sarasota, FL42 contributions
Aug 2019
Shrine Mountain is a very popular hike for good reasons. Easy to get to; just get off at Vail Pass exit and continue up packed dirt road that any vehicle can handle. Large parking lot is on the left a mile or so in and fills up quickly so arrive early. There is parking on the road for overflow.
Hike is reasonable with some elevation gain, mostly in the sun. Trail is often quite muddy, especially early in the season and the mosquitoes can be quite bothersome. The trail comes to a fork at the top of a crest where you can see the Mountain of the Holy Cross. Unlike Yogi Berra who when he came to a fork, “ just took it”, take a right. This leads up a hill and keep to your right. At the top there is a beautiful rock formation and areas to sit down and have a snack. If you take the left fork, it will lead you up a nice climb with some beautiful mountain views.
On the way down, approximately 1/3 to 1/2 of the way, there is a signpost without a sign on the left and a trail that angles up. You can take this as an alternate way back and it will lead past a couple of cabins and an outhouse. The trail leads back to the lot around a gate. Should take 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours. Enjoy!
Hike is reasonable with some elevation gain, mostly in the sun. Trail is often quite muddy, especially early in the season and the mosquitoes can be quite bothersome. The trail comes to a fork at the top of a crest where you can see the Mountain of the Holy Cross. Unlike Yogi Berra who when he came to a fork, “ just took it”, take a right. This leads up a hill and keep to your right. At the top there is a beautiful rock formation and areas to sit down and have a snack. If you take the left fork, it will lead you up a nice climb with some beautiful mountain views.
On the way down, approximately 1/3 to 1/2 of the way, there is a signpost without a sign on the left and a trail that angles up. You can take this as an alternate way back and it will lead past a couple of cabins and an outhouse. The trail leads back to the lot around a gate. Should take 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours. Enjoy!
Written August 26, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Weiming B
Wailea, HI3 contributions
Aug 2019 • Couples
A perfect trail for us in terms of length, ease to walk, and of course, beautiful sceneries along. The wild flowers in early Aug. bloomed in orange, blue and yellow colors, with background of mountains topped with snow, leaves an unforgettable picture in our days.
Written August 10, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Suzysmack
Stillwater, OK14 contributions
Aug 2019 • Friends
Go during the week. Went on a Saturday and the trail is like being a Disneyland there are so many people. You start above treeline so wear a hat and wear sunscreen and for gosh sake...wear mosquito protection. Mosquitoes are big and everywhere!!!! So be prepared. Snow at the top. When and if you arrive at the top, head over to the right and yes...UP again to see the magnificent Rock formation. Save enough energy for the downhill. It’s hard on the knees. Trail is muddy in places. I would not attempt this hike unless you have no proper shoes ie no flip flops, etx
Written August 7, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christy M
Dallas, TX73 contributions
Jul 2019 • Family
Our family of 6 (including kids ages 18, 16, 13, and 10) started this hike at around 10:00. It took us 1.5 hours to get up and 1 hour back down (but it seemed much quicker). Beautiful hike with some streams and great flowers. At the top, there is still some snow to walk through but not much. Plan on your shoes getting quite dirty and always plan for weather changes. It was a truly beautiful hike! It was a little strenuous in parts but all of us made it and were very happy we did! About a 45 minute from Vail and requires a short bumpy dirt road drive.
Written August 1, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bernardo MN
Valle de Bravo, Mexico9 contributions
Is the trail already open for the summer season? Planning to visit late june/early july 2021
Magictravelnow
Dallas, TX424 contributions
Hi, I was just there a week ago and it had not opened yet. I would call the concierge at Sonnenalp Hotel to ask as I love that hike.
Nancy H
3 contributions
How long is the Shrine mountain trail?
KEHarris2014
Dallas, TX42 contributions
it's 4 miles round trip (2 up/2 down). It's an easy-moderate trail. The last 1/4 mile is steeper but so worth it! The views are amazing! I saw all level hikers on the trail - from toddlers to senior citizens. I think it took us about 2.5 hours to hike it and that included almost an hour on top enjoying the views and walk around the area (make sure you go out on the farthest rock point to the right when you get to top!
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Claim your listingSHRINE MOUNTAIN TRAIL: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Shrine Mountain Trail
- Hotels near Shrine Mountain Trail:
- (0.12 km) Shrine Mountain Inn
- (12.40 km) Frisco Inn On Galena
- (12.68 km) Frisco Lodge
- (11.42 km) The Green Bridge Inn
- (2.37 km) Gore Creek Campground
- Restaurants near Shrine Mountain Trail:
- (15.74 km) Swiss Chalet - Vail
- (12.76 km) Butterhorn Bakery and Cafe
- (12.66 km) Vinny's Restaurant
- (15.70 km) Bully Ranch Restaurant
- (13.00 km) Peppinos Pizzas & Subs