There are over 100 miles of trail to explore on open space property. Here are some of our most popular hiking trails.
Hiking
Bald Mountain Scenic Area
At Bald Mountain Scenic Area, a one mile Pines-to-Peak Loop (190′ elevation gain) takes you to the summit where you can see views of the Continental Divide and eastern plains.
Carolyn Holmberg Preserve at Rock Creek Farm
The 1.5-mile Mary Miller Trail and the 1.3-mile Cradleboard Trail at the Carolyn Holmberg Preserve at Rock Creek Farm take you to Stearns Lake and alongside active agricultural land.
Heil Valley Ranch
The 1.3-mile Lichen Loop pedestrian-only trail (250′ elevation gain) at Heil Valley Ranch offers views of meadow and forest, and a variety of trees and plants along the way.
Betasso Preserve
The 3.2-mile Canyon Loop (410′ elevation gain) at Betasso Preserve is popular because of the variety it offers – open land and forest, ponderosa pines and Douglas fir trees, squirrels and deer. This trail is closed to mountain biking on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Caribou Ranch
The DeLonde Homestead Trail and the Blue Bird Loop (160′ elevation gain) at Caribou Ranch in Nederland take you on a 4.5-mile round trip through the montane life zone. Closed April 1 to June 30 to protect spring wildlife activities.
Ron Stewart Preserve at Rabbit Mountain
The Eagle Wind Trail is a 3-mile loop (340′ elevation gain) at the Ron Stewart Preserve at Rabbit Mountain that has a 360-degree view of the foothills and neighboring agricultural lands.
For a glimpse of the valley below, take the 1-mile Little Thompson Overlook Trail (380′ elevation gain).
Hall Ranch
The Bitterbrush Trail (3.5 miles one-way, 920′ elevation gain) and the Nelson Loop (2.3 miles, 320′ elevation gain) at Hall Ranch complete a 9.3-mile trek through wide-open meadows, cool forests, rocky trails and varied ecosystems.
The Nighthawk Trail (4.1 miles one-way, 1240′ elevation gain) is open to hikers and equestrians only.
Heil Valley Ranch
The Wapiti Trail and Ponderosa Loop at Heil Valley Ranch complete a 7.6-mile round trip journey (830′ elevation gain) through pines and firs, with scenic views and signs of wildlife.
Walker Ranch
The Walker Ranch Loop takes you through a variety of ecosystems (7.6-miles round-trip, 890′ elevation gain). The diverse landscape at Walker Ranch and steep staircase conditions on the east leg of the loop make this trail a favorite and challenging route for many visitors.