The mountains around Park City offer numerous trails for hiking and mountain biking. For a short hike with a variety of terrain and good views of both mountains and town, try the 1 1/2-mile Sweeny Switchbacks Trail, accessible from the base of the town lift.
The 30-mile Historic Union Pacific Rail Trail State Park hiking and biking path follows the old Union Pacific railroad bed from Park City to Echo Reservoir. It offers wonderful views of meadows, the volcanic crags of Silver Creek Canyon, the Weber River, Echo Reservoir, and the steep walls of Echo Canyon. You might spot deer, elk, moose, and bald eagles along the trail. An end-of-the-trail pickup service is available from Daytrips (tel. 888/649-8294; www.daytrips.com).
More than 30 miles of dirt roads and single-track trails at Park City Mountain Resort (tel. 800/222-7275 or 435/649-8111; www.parkcitymountain.com) are open to hikers and mountain bikers, who can ride the PayDay chairlift up and then bike or hike down. Tickets cost $11 for a single ride, or $18 for an all-day pass. Deer Valley Resort (tel. 800/424-3337 or 435/649-1000; www.deervalley.com) offers more than 50 miles of panoramic trails for both hikers and bikers, with chairlift access in summer ($12 a ride or $20 a day). As you might expect, the terrain is steep and beautiful.
For a good description of several other area trails, pick up a copy of the free Park City Hiking & Biking Trail Map at either visitor center and at sporting goods shops.
