Ridgway Area Trails
(RAT)
Crystal Merrill
WORLD-CLASS SINGLETRACK WITH INCREDIBLE VIEWS
The Ridgway Area Trails (RAT) is a network of singletrack trails that are maintained and managed by the RAT crew – a group of dedicated volunteer mountain bikers and beer enthusiasts. The RAT chapter has built a comprehensive trail system with over 40 miles of trails between the RAT Trails and the Dennis Weaver Trail systems.
Trail Systems | News & More | Maps | Events | History
Committee Members
Edward Hines, Chair
Bill Hall
Parker Macabery
Andrew Merrill
Crystal Merrill
Andy Persio
Tim Swann
Jimmie Vaughan
David Veenstra
Nick Brown
Andy Michelich
Chapter Contact: rat@copmoba.org
Social Media: Keep up with the chapter by following Ridgway Area Trails on Facebook.
Photo by Joey Early
Programs & Projects
Ridgway Area Trails has a variety of projects in the works and future programs planned. Find information on all of our major programs and events below.
NEW TRAILS ALERT!
RAT is psyched to announce that we're working with the BLM to finalize plans for up to 5 new miles of trail at RAT. Our goal is to add new stacked loops to improve flow and rider density, add an advanced alt Big Cheese descent, and make a green loop for little shredders and beginners near the main trailhead parking lot, and more! Trail construction will likely begin at the start of next season.
If you’d like to support RAT and our trail advocacy, please consider making a donation today.
2024 RAT RACE
Results from the 6th annual RAT Race are live!
CHAPTER EVENTS
Here’s a listing of upcoming RAT chapter events. To see everything we’ve got planned, CLICK HERE for our event calendar with events from all four of COPMOBA’s chapters.
Ridgway Area Trail Systems
Please ride with the trails with respect. In addition to riders, we have hikers, runners, and horses. Maintain your distance from others. The RAT trails are closed from December 1 to May 1 annually.
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Seasonal closure is from December 1 to May 1.
The RAT trails offer a diverse and exciting riding experience, ranging from beginner-friendly to technical riders. With stunning views of the surrounding mountains, the RAT trails offer unique riding and breathtaking views of the San Juan mountains.
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The Dennis Weaver trails offer beginner-friendly trails and stunning views of the surrounding landscape of Ridgway.
Map PDF (coming soon)
Chapter Blogs/News
RAT History
To a mountain biker, singletrack exemplifies the highest quality riding experience. In 2004, Richard Durnan, searching for quality riding experiences, approached the Ridgway State Park and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) with a proposal to develop a multi-use trail system in Ridgway Colorado on adjoining parcels of land these agencies manage. Identifying this land, which resides on the outskirts of the Town of Ridgway, as having ideal terrain, trail connectivity, and access, the process of obtaining permission for this project began. The goal of the project was to develop a well-designed, sustainable, trail system that will enhance the quality of recreation in Ouray County. The trail was intended to be available to a variety of non-motorized users such as trail runners, hikers, walkers, and horseback riders.
Building on Richard Durnan’s vision RAT has created a highly accessible trail system in and around Ridgway. Since 2011, trails have been completed in Weaver Park and on BLM land north of town. The RAT project was approved by Ridgway Town, Ouray County, BLM, and Colorado State lands, allowing for over 30 miles of single trail to be constructed. In 2013 and 2014, RAT added about 8 miles of new trails, and in 2015, a $200,000 grant from Colorado Parks and Wildlife allowed for an additional 7.5 miles of trail to be added. Another $200,000 grant in 2016 funded the construction of 7.5+ miles of new trail on BLM land.
Photo by Joey Early
Community Partners
COPMOBA's business partners play an important role in supporting our mission, and we are so grateful for their support. Our partnerships include:
Funding for operations and specific projects
In-kind donations
Co-hosted events
Social media and promotions
Volunteer trail work days
To explore partnership opportunities and the prospect of supporting our western slope trails, please reach out to trails@copmoba.org. Thank you for your support!
Follow @ridgwayrat ON INSTAGRAM
