Summer Hiking at Arapahoe Basin
If you're looking for a beautiful Colorado hike, look no further than A-Basin. Hikers are treated to breathtaking views with every step as they ascend through pine trees up to open meadows of wildflowers and an uninterrupted backdrop of mountains blanketed in bright green. Visitors can quickly feel like they’re away from it all thanks to A-Basin’s more remote setting apart from multiple roads and towns. Finish your day with a meal and cold drink at the 6th Alley Bar & Grill.
Don't miss the stunning, new Half-Moon Vista Trail!
Beginning July 12, 2021, join us on select Mondays for Arapahoe Basin's guided wildflower hikes around our beautiful mountain to learn more about this unique, high-alpine environment. Visit our event calendar to learn more.
Hiking Trail Info
NEW! Half Moon Vista Trail
Don't miss this short-but-spectacular hiking trail that begins at mid-mountain and leads you to a stunning overlook of our terrain and the Continental Divide.
- Distance: 0.5 miles (one-way). Descend the Upper Summer Road for a 0.8-mile loop hike
- Ascent: 340 feet
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Hiking: Both directions
- Biking: Not allowed
Half Moon begins at Black Mountain Lodge and leads you to Half Moon Vista. The first half of the hike is very easy and suitable for everyone. The final climb to Half Moon Vista, one of the mountain’s most stunning overlooks, is more difficult with a 340 foot vertical ascent. As you climb to the alpine tundra at timberline, enjoy lush meadows and dramatic views of the Continental Divide and the East Wall along the way.
Retrace your steps for a 1-mile outing, or create a loop by descending 0.3 miles on the Upper Summer Road back to the lodge. This is a great hike to pair with a Black Mountain Express chairlift ride. More experienced hikers can combine Half Moon Trail with Argentine North Fork for a 5-mile, out-and-back hike with 1,000 feet of ascent and descent.
Argentine North Fork Trail (ANFT)
- Distance: 2 miles (one-way)
- Ascent: 700 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Hiking: Both directions
- Biking: Both directions
Argentine North Fork is A-Basin’s primary singletrack trail. It begins near Mountain Goat Plaza in the base area and ascends to Black Mountain Lodge at mid-mountain. Hikers and bikers will find wildflowers, scenic vistas and crystal-clear streams along the way. Hike it both ways to work up your appetite for lunch at the 6th Alley Bar & Grill, or ride the chairlift to mid-mountain for lunch on the lodge deck and a hike back down to the base area.
Summer Road, Upper & Lower
- Distance: 2.6 miles combined (one-way)
- Ascent: 1,676 feet total
- Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
- Hiking: Both directions
- Biking: Both directions
Summer Road is a steep and rocky service road running from top to bottom. The 1.3-mile Upper Summer Road takes you well above treeline and is currently the only way to access the summit at 12,456 feet. Enjoy stunning views of A-Basin, Loveland Pass, multiple 14’ers and our resident mountain goat herd. We recommend using ANFT on the lower half of the mountain. Please watch for vehicles!
Pali Road
- Distance: 0.6 miles (one-way)
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Hiking: Both directions
- Biking: Both directions
Pali Road is a very steep service road that takes hikers and mountain bikers from the Upper Summer Road (just above mid-mountain) to the top of Pallavicini Lift. From there, enjoy dramatic views of The Beavers and Pallavicini ski terrain. You can hike to Pali Road via ANFT or take the Black Mountain Express chairlift.
BE PREPARED
Our terrain is steep, challenging and at very high elevation. Afternoon thunderstorms with lightening and hail can be daily occurrences in the summer, and can materialize without much warning. Come hike in the morning and work up your appetite to enjoy BBQ on the deck of Black Mountain Lodge, or lunch and a beer in the 6th Alley Bar & Grill.
TRAIL-USE RESTRICTIONS
Arapahoe Basin sits entirely on U.S. Forest Service land. Trails are open to hikers, mountain bikers and well-behaved animals. Please pick up after your pet! Poop bags are available in the base area; please pick one up before your hike.
While the land is open to public exploration, there are several ecologically-sensitive areas that are best left undisturbed. Please consider the potential impacts to the environment before venturing off our trails.
