Piney River Road above Vail

This 12-mile, unpaved old forestry road climbs from Vail to the stunning Piney Lake and the historic Piney River Ranch. The road — which does not require all-wheel drive or high clearance — starts as Red Sandstone Road and Forest Service Road #700.

The trails that spin off the road — like the Lost Lake Trail, Son of Middle Creek and the scenic Upper Piney River Trail that winds through wildflower-choked meadows and aspen groves beneath stunning views of the Gore Range to a cascading waterfall — are gems for Vail area hikers. This road explodes with color in the fall as the aspens change.