The Harrell Forest Community Trail system, a 238-acre recreational area outside of Bigfork, is now open to the public.

The Flathead Land Trust, in partnership with the Trust for Public Land and Montana Land Reliance, officially opened the trail system on Sept. 22, allowing access to several loops of hiking and biking trails with round-trip treks of up to seven miles.

“We're really excited because it's been such a cool project in collaboration with several different organizations,” said Jen Guse, the communications, outreach and special projects coordinator at the Flathead Land Trust.

Alan Horn and Cindy Harrell Horn donated the property to the Trust for Public Land in 2020 after the area was slated for the development of 17 new residential lots. The Trust for Public Land, a national organization dedicated to preserving land for public use, then reached out to the Flathead Land Trust for a local partner.

While the planning has been going on for years, trail builders began constructing the trails in early spring.

In December of last year, the Flathead Land Trust became the sole owner of the land — the group’s first time owning land long-term. Both the Flathead Land Trust and the Trust for Public Lands collaborated with the Montana Land Reliance to place a conservation easement on the rest of the property, effectively stopping development in perpetuity.

“It's not just a recreation project, it's a full conservation project,” said Paul Travis, executive director of the Flathead Land Trust.

The trail, accessible when finished via Bigfork Stage Road, will be open to the public for hiking and biking. No motorized vehicles will be allowed on the trail system — including electronic bikes. Due to its relatively small acreage, the system is unable to accommodate horses.

For more information and to download a map of the Harrell Forest Community Trails, go to www.flatheadlandtrust.org/places-we-protect/harrell-forest.

Reporter Kate Heston can be reached at [email protected] or 758-4459.