Hiking on Open Space
 Below are some trails to explore year-round. Specific trail maps are
available at park kiosks near the trailhead/parking lot. Trails are
multi-use unless otherwise noted. Dogs are allowed at all open space
parks, except Caribou Ranch, Hall Ranch and Heil Valley Ranch.
For more information on guided tours and other natural and cultural
history events at Boulder County, please visit our
Parks and Open Space Program
Calendar.
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Bald Mountain Scenic Area
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At Bald Mountain,
a one mile Pines-to-Peak Loop trail (190' elevation gain) takes
you to the summit where you can see views of the Continental
Divide and eastern plains.
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Carolyn Holmberg Preserve at Rock Creek
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The 1.5-mile Mary Miller and the 1.3-mile Cradleboard trails at
the Carolyn Holmberg
Preserve take you to Stearns Lake and alongside active
agricultural land.
Stearns
Lake is part of
an historic irrigation system. The reservoir is stocked with
largemouth and smallmouth bass, tiger
muskie and channel catfish.
Boating is not permitted. There is a small
permanent closure to protect the wetlands along the western shore.
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Heil Valley Ranch
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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. Dogs are not permitted at this
park.
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Moderate Hikes (more elevation gain)
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Betasso Preserve
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The 3.2-mile Canyon Loop Trail (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. |
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Caribou Ranch
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The DeLonde Homestead Trail and the Blue Bird Loop (160' elevation
gain) at Caribou
Ranch in Nederaland 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. Dogs are not permitted at
this park.
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Rabbit Mountain
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The Eagle Wind Trail is a 3-mile loop (340' elevation gain) at
Rabbit Mountain 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).
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Moderate to Difficult Hikes (longer trails or steeper terrain)
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Hall Ranch
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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.
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Heil Valley Ranch
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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.
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Walker Ranch
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The Walker 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.
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