Heil Valley Ranch, Boulder

• Distance: 8 miles out and back

• Elevation gain: 800 feet (trailhead starts at 5,900 feet)

• Difficulty: Moderate

• Time: 21/2 to 3 hours

• Getting there: From the intersection of 28th Street and Canyon Boulevard in Boulder, drive north on U.S. 36 for 8.3 miles and turn left onto Canyon Road. Go seven-tenths of a mile to Geer Canyon Drive and go 1.2 miles to the parking lot on the right.

• Highlights: Rated as one of Boulder's best hikes, it is a beautiful journey high into the foothills through dense stands of ponderosa pines, open meadows with tall prairie grasses, spring wildflowers and views north to Mount Meeker (13,911 feet) and Longs Peak (14,255 feet).

Heil Valley Ranch consists of 4,923 acres of backcountry. The 1.3-mile Lichen Trail is open only to pedestrians. Two new multiuse trails opened in the past year: the 2.5-mile Wapiti Trail and the 2.6-mile Ponderosa Loop Trail. They are open to hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians.

• Restrictions: Because of its importance as a wildlife habitat, dogs are not allowed on this open-space property.