There are currently 13.5 miles of bike-legal trails at Heil Valley ranch, but in order to ride all of them at once you’d have to do at least 23-24 miles of pedaling. The trail system is basically laid out with a figure 8 around the top of the mountain/ridge, and an out-and-back trail running up to it from the north and one from the south. The trailhead location given here, and one of the most popular rides, is to ride from the southern trailhead, up the 2.5-mile trail, around some of the trails on top, and back down. The out-and-back trail coming in from the north is 5.5 miles one-way, so riding from the northern trailhead would make for a longer ride… and riding absolutely everything would make for a grueling experience with tons of climbing.
But all of that climbing is worth it, though! The trails here sport that characteristic Front Range rockiness, with plenty of chunk to pedal through on the climb up and around the upper trails. However, there are a few buff sections of trail thrown in at random, and none of the rocks are seriously big. It is all very easy to pedal through, and by Front Range standards is probably only intermediate in difficulty.
Once at the top, be sure to take in the amazing views of the Front Range! Then get ready to descend. The descent back down is what it’s all about, and despite all of the rocks these trails sport some serious flow! All of the undulations, grade reversals, and swooping turns are just perfect, allowing you to carry some serious speed. But since both of the trails climbing to the top are ridden out-and-back, be sure to watch for oncoming traffic and to always ride in control. This trail is very popular, so keep your eyes peeled and don’t get too crazy… but have fun, because the bomb back down is awesome!
 | Picture Rock Trail |   | 11 mi |
| Ponderosa Loop | | 3 mi |
| Wapiti Trail | | 5 mi |
| Wild Turkey Trail | | 3 mi |
Currently closed.
| ThankTerrific trail system with something for everybody. Long technical climbs, nice down hills and epic views. Facilities are top notch and they even have an easy green trail with skills course built in for beginners.
| ThankAmazing climb and even better descent. Such a great ride. Though it was my first ride at elevation first day in CO, and the 1.5h climb took me almost 3 hours. The trip down was much shorter (~15 mins).
| ThankGreat ride. The rock gardens were a bit rough for me, but overall had a good time. Will ride again
| ThankBe ready to bust your butt, miles of up hill then 30 minutes rush down hill. Tons of fun, but bring a full camelbac if you go during the Summer. Some great views and a ton of fun.
| ThankLots of rocks, but a good trail. Well maintained.
| Thankalways a good trail, you need to learn the line to enjoy the downhill
| ThankUphill is hard if you do not have enough body english to hover over the rocks
This was a pretty sweet ride. Lots of climbing, but lots of flowing sections as well. Like most of the other reviews say, this is a pretty rocky ride, and although I did conquer it on my hard-tail, my gluteus maximus would have much more preferred a full suspension ride. But regardless, was still the work out and ride I was looking for.
| ThankGreat ride, weather, and scenery
| ThankI rode this trail in 2012 and gave it 4 stars. I rode it again yesterday, and I'm going to change my rating to 5 stars. They've done an AMAZING job rebuilding several parts, and it's as fun to ride as any trail at Buffalo Cr. The flagstone "boardwalks", the bermed switchbacks, the retaining walls, really are works of art! Rides like a 17 mile bike park...
| ThankWell worth the drive from Denver.
If you've never ridden here, or if you haven't recently, put this on your must-ride list.
Fun trail that has grown and seen some routing changes over the years. It used to be even rockier than it is, which if you've ridden the trail is hard to fathom, since it's still pretty rocky compared to other trails. Nice climb up to the loop at the top, with a great view from the overlook, and a fast, fun descent to the parking lot. Hell Ranch is a great choice for longer rides where you can link it to Hall Ranch via the Picture Rock connecter trail, or even link it to a long ride from Boulder or Longmont via mostly dirt roads.
| ThankQuite a strenuous ride for me (fat). But the views are great and the ride down on a fat bike is fun as H - E - double hockey sticks.
| ThankThis is a beautiful trail! The first 3 miles is a gradual climb that's not too hard. Then once you reach the top there are 3 loops you can choose from. I rode both outer loops and the scenery were just beautiful. Pictures does this trail no justice. I rode this trail early in the morning and saw about 7 turkeys still out foraging. The trail is well marked and has a sign and map at each intersection so you won't get lost. On this particular weekend there were horses on the trail so be courteous and don't spook them. And don't forget to yield to hikers/runners and since trail runs both ways yield to riders going uphill. I really enjoyed this trail and definitely come back again to ride next time I visit family in Denver.
| ThankGood trail with great views, but ROCKY as sin!!! Continuous up hill which will smoke you legs for about 5 miles. Did I mention very rocky.....not too many smooth parts and not flowing up to the top. The only good part was the down, hill.......hold on and don't fly off the mountain. It is a screamer downhill.....a ton of fun, but the rocks will test your sanity.
A good thing to see was trail maintanance was being performed, and they admitted no one has been around to up-keep the trail for a while. He said the recent rains had made it worst.
Fun trail full 2 hours of cardio. Bring a full-suspension bike. We had hardtails and it drove you to drink!
| ThankMy wife and I rode this last year and came back to ride it again. This is just a wonderful trail.
| ThankSuper fun! Not too techie or steep. Kept thinking the whole time that the wife would enjoy this trail.
| ThankVery fun trail. Can be accessed either off Hwy 7 in Lyons to start with Picture Rock trail (5.2 miles of unremitting uphill but with some nice views) or off Hwy 36 closer to Boulder and heading up Wapiti Trail (2.5 miles of rockier trail but more fun and what I would recommend). Once at the top, there are 3 interconnected loops. At the end of Wapiti, if you head left and go clockwise you'll Ponderosa Loop first. The trail builders have done an EXTRAORDINARY JOB - dips and berms with a few rocks and roots thrown in. After about a mile, there is a beautiful lookout. You can head right onto Wild Turkey (nice but rocky) or continue on Ponderosa. Continuing on, you hit a fantastic, fast section through the trees which eventually dumps you onto the rocky but more fun section of Wild Turkey. You can then do Picture Rock as an out and back or keep stacking loops and take Wapiti back down.
I really enjoy this trail. It may not be for everyone but, IMHO, the section of Ponderosa is about as much fun as anything Monarch Crest or Trail 401 has to offer (only lacks their breathtaking beauty).
| ThankI'm visiting the area and I'm on a steel hard tail...so I hated this trail the first time out...super rocky and a serious and literal PITA. However, now that I've done it a few times I'm having lots of fun on the trail and it is an excellent challenge to clear everything and brave the knarly bits at speed. This trail brings all my bike handling skills into play from fast and flowy turns just nipping past tree trunks to fairly technical 'pick the right line or yer done for' climbs and descents. I have to be paying attention the whole way or chaos will ensue!
| ThankOverall, this was a pretty fun trail. When we rode it, it was a bit wet (we turned around just past the 3 mile mark). Even with the shortened ride, it was still a good ride. On the way down there is some great flow which later turns into some great chunk.
It can get a bit crowded on the trail as the day wears on.
| ThankVaried, fun trail. A little bit of everything good.
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