The RAT Trails in Ridgway, CO: A Must-Ride Trail System in Western Colorado!

Female mountain biker riding bike on singletrack trail in Ridgway Colorado

Trail sign at the RAT trails in Ridgway Colorado

I’ve ridden the Ridgway Area Trails (affectionately known as the RAT system) twice now and both times left me immensely impressed. With over 30 miles of trail, this network dishes out smooth flow, mellow climbs, some chunky tech if you seek it out, and grin-inducing descents, all with gorgeous views of the surrounding San Juans. It’s awesome.

The first time I visited (which was honestly by accident — we were just passing through), we liked the RAT trails so much that we scrapped our original plans to head to Fruita the next day and stuck around to explore the rest of these cleverly named trails: Ratical, Big Cheese, Rat Trap, etc…

My second visit was equally fun. A few new trails had been added to the network (though I didn’t find them quite as memorable), but the core of the system was still a blast. The RAT trails are definitely worth a stop if you’re riding in western Colorado! Here’s what you need to know.

Quick Tips

For mountain biking the Ridgway Area Trails in Ridgway, CO

E-bikes are not allowed
Many of the trail signs suggest which way to ride a trail – look for ‘most fun direction’
Trails are multi-use — watch out for runners and hikers
The trails get up to about 7,600 feet, so take it slow if you’re not acclimated
There’s easily 2 days of riding here!

TWW Take

Please note that these are my personal opinions – you may argue otherwise! And if so, state your case (politely) in the comments 🙂

Fun-ness Factor

Trail Variety

Average Difficulty

Mountain biker on singletrack trail in Colorado with mountains in background and fall foliage colors

What I like about the RAT Trails

Fast rolling singletrack with great flow and features
Beautiful views of the surrounding San Juan mountains and Ridgway Reservoir
Lots of ways to link up trails – no two rides need to be the same
Ridgway is a great little Colorado mountain town

What I don’t

It can be confusing to know how to best link trails together since some are best ridden one-direction
I wasn’t super impressed with the new trails: Trail D and Trail C (also, what’s with the generic names?)

Photo out over front of mountain bike handlebars onto trail

Planning your RAT trails rides

Best trails to hit

All the RAT’s are worth riding, in my opinion. I wasn’t overly impressed with the newer stuff (Trail D and Trail DC namely), but they were fine if you’re looking for extra miles. Here are my favorite trails, though:

The Big Cheese (intermediate – a climb trail, but well-built)
Ratical (intermediate)
Rat Trap (intermediate)
Splinter (intermediate)
The Plaugeround (intermediate)
Big Cheese DH (advanced)

Tip: Read the trail signs to see if they say ‘more fun this direction’ or ‘more fun other direction’

Route recommendations

Rat Pack Loop (intermediate) – This is usually my first ride when I visit Ridgway. It’s got a lot of fast flow and reward for a moderate amount of climbing. The route ends at a dirt road, which you can take down to the parking area. Otherwise, you have quite a bit more climbing to return via trail.
Ratical Ride (intermediate+) – If you’re looking fora the best descents, this is your ride. Ratical, Trail E, Splinter, and Big Cheese DH are all a blast. Add Plaugeround to make it a bit longer. (This route doesn’t include Rat Trap, which is worth doing on a separate ride).

Ridgway Area Trails Map

Female mountain biker taking a selfie with mountain views in the background

Mountain biker riding off small jump on trail

FAQs for riding Ridgway Area Trails

Got questions? I’ve got answers! Here are some helpful tips for riding the RAT trails outside of Ridgway, Colorado.

No, e-bikes are not allowed on the Ridgway Area Trails.

There are a few places to park and access the RAT trail network, but the main parking area (and where I park) is off of County Road 10 at the base of the Big Cheese Climb.

You can also park higher up on CR-10B if you want to explore more of the upper trails without a big climb.

Finally, there’s parking off Highway 550 across from Ridgway State Park that gives quick access to the Karni Mata Loop. I’ve never parked here, but it seems like a good option.

Yes, even though TrailForks rates most of the trails here as blue/intermediate, I’d say it’s still suitable for newer riders. The climb up Big Cheese will probably be a challenge, but once you get to the top, the grades mellow out. Check out this 6-mile loop for a good intro ride at the RAT Trails.

There’s a Port-a-Potti at the Big Cheese Trailhead but no water.

It’s fine. I didn’t find it to be amazing — I prefer the other trails in the network, but if you’re looking for more miles or you have another day to explore the RAT trails, it’s worth checking. Expect a decent climb and then a fast-rolling decent. Ride it counter clockwise.

Yes, the trails are well-signed and there are trail maps at most major intersections (although some aren’t very readable any more). I always recommend having TrailForks or MTB Project downloaded to your phone.

I’ve ridden here in mid-September and mid-July and both were great. Mid-July was low 70’s and mid-September was 60’s with beautiful fall colors. Depending on the year, I’d say the RAT trails are rideable between June and late October.

Ridgway State Park is right across from the RAT trails and it has really nice campground overlooking the Ridgway Reservoir.

Need gear recs?

Head over to my gear closet! I’m always testing out new pieces of bike gear and if I really like them, they earn a place on this page.

See my gear favorites

Whether you’re passing through western Colorado or planning a dedicated mountain bike trip, I think the Ridgway Area Trails are absolutely worth checking out. I didn’t have high expectations the first time I rode there (honestly, I hadn’t even heard of the RAT system before that trip) but it ended up being one of the highlights. The mix of smooth, flowy singletrack, optional tech, mellow climbs, and sweeping views makes for some really enjoyable riding. Plus, it’s not nearly as crowded as other spots in Colorado, which for me, adds to the appeal.

Both times I’ve ridden RAT, I’ve left feeling stoked that I made the stop. It’s a little under-the-radar in the best way and I’ll definitely be returning anytime I’m in the area. If you’re looking for quality trails with a cool vibe and great scenery, I highly recommend making time for a few laps!

What are your thoughts on the Ridgway Area Trails (RAT)? Have you ridden them? Are they on your bike-it list? Leave a comment!

The RAT Trails in Ridgway, CO: A Must-Ride Trail System in Western Colorado!

Quick Tips

TWW Take

What I like about the RAT Trails

What I don’t