Novato’s Indian Valley Open Space encompasses trails that meander through a narrow valley and wind over hills, through ravines and circle around a freshwater pond.

For a moderately strenuous 5.5-mile loop that tours the open space preserve, follow the Indian Valley Fire Road, Ad Schwindt Trail, Buzzard Burn Road, Witzel Trail, Waterfall Trail and Pacheco Pond Fire Road.

The main access to this open space is from the Indian Valley College parking lot. Drive into the campus and follow the main street until it dead-ends at the campus security office near the ball fields.

Begin the hike by walking past the baseball diamonds and continue through the open space gate. Turn right and walk up the Ad Schwindt Trail. This path winds through a dense forest of bay trees with maidenhair ferns.

Walk briefly on the Indian Valley Fire Road, and then turn right onto the Buzzard Burn Road and cross the stream. This is a wide stream and the crossing can be difficult immediately after a heavy rain. The hike up the Buzzard Burn Road is a steep climb. While you’re stopping to catch your breath, watch for white milkmaids, yellow buttercups and irises.

Turn left onto the Witzel Trail and continue through stands of manzanita and madrone trees. This winding path continues downhill through mixed forest. It skirts deep ravines carved by seasonal streams as it snakes all the way to the valley floor.

Cross the footbridge, turn right and walk briefly on Indian Valley Fire Road. Turn right again, cross another footbridge and follow the Waterfall Trail.

The stream usually funnels into a waterfall that slides over a large boulder dropping the catch pool, but this spring its trickling flow is rapidly disappearing.

Continue uphill on the Waterfall Trail as it parallels the creek. Watch for red larkspur near the waterfall and irises, mission bells and blue larkspur along the upper switchbacks.

After the trail passes the saddle in the hill, it descends via switchbacks through tall madrone trees and continues down to Pacheco Pond. Sunny areas on the hillsides are sprinkled with buttercups and milkmaids.

The trail passes the Indian Valley Organic Farm and Garden near the baseball diamonds. Students from College of Marin work in the farm and garden. The yield includes an interesting variety of fruits, vegetables and flowers.

To reach Indian Valley Open Space, leave Highway 101 at the Ignacio Boulevard exit. Follow Ignacio Boulevard into the Indian Valley College campus. Continue to the end of the main road and park near the Campus Security Office and ball fields. A parking fee is required on weekdays.

Tacy Dunham is the author of several trail guide books. For more information about her books, e-mail cottonwoodpress4ca@hotmail.com. For past columns, go to www.marinij.com/outdoors.