Ridgway Area Trails Opens May 1 with Expanded Trail System
Opening Day Celebration Set for The Sherbino in Ridgway
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill Hall, RAT Chapter Chair, rat@copmoba.org
Ridgway, CO (April 24, 2026): Ridgway Area Trails (RAT), a chapter of the Colorado Plateau Mountain Bike Trail Association (COPMOBA), will reopen Friday, May 1, following its annual seasonal closure. The reopening coincides with the completion of new trails added as part of RAT's Trail Expansion Project, which were finished ahead of the December 1 closure.
The expansion added just over six miles of new trail across nine new segments. The project is a culmination of thousands of volunteer hours and the dedication of local trail builders, community partners, and public land agencies. Crews and volunteers contributed more than 2,000 hours of work to bring the new trails to life.
To celebrate the reopening, RAT will host its annual Opening Day Celebration on May 1 at The Sherbino in Ridgway. The event begins at 5 PM. Tickets are available at sherbino.org.
“After more than five years of dedication and a lot of dirt digging by our incredible partners, volunteers, and the Ridgway community RAT is excited to kick off the 2026 riding season with some new fresh trails. We hope you'll come out and celebrate with us on May 1,” says Crystal Merrill, committee member of RAT.
The RAT trail system is an integral part of the Ridgway community, attracting mountain bikers, hikers, families, and equestrian riders from across the region and beyond. The trails see an average of more than 30,000 users during the seven-month operating season. The expansion was designed to create a more balanced experience for all trail users, with new technical trails, improved options for adaptive riders and beginners, and safer alternatives to reduce two-way congestion.
R.O.U.S. (Rodents of Unusual Size) provides access for adaptive riders, beginners, and kids. Handcycles with e-assist are welcome on adaptive trails.
Cheese Grater, Lab RAT, and Rat-a-tat-tat add more technical, feature-rich riding for advanced users.
Gouda Gulch and Smoked Gouda expand cross-country options with additional mileage.
In the North zone, Carne Asada, Karni Mata Escape, and alternate lines for Exterminator, Gnaw & Order provide new terrain and improved flow.
Heidi's Way, a connector trail off Big Cheese linking to 10B, has been reopened. The trail crosses private land and is named in honor of beloved Ridgway Elementary School Principal Heidi Hanssen.
RAT will continue to work with BLM UFO to improve the system through updated wayfinding signage, trail maintenance, and long-term stewardship efforts
Riders are encouraged to enjoy the new trails responsibly. Trail users should be courteous to others, and note that e-bikes are not permitted at RAT except for those with a reasonable modification and adaptive riders. Trail users are also asked to be respectful of nearby residents. No camping is permitted at RAT except for BLM-approved trail crews
The Trail Expansion Project would not have been possible without the collaboration and support of the following partners and volunteers:
Colorado Plateau Mountain Bike Trail Association (COPMOBA); Bureau of Land Management, Uncompahgre Field Office; Colorado Parks & Wildlife; Town of Ridgway; Ouray County; Ridgway-Ouray Community Coalition; Sweet & Sustainable Singletrack; Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado; Western Colorado Conservation Corps. Southwest Colorado Conservation Corps; Apex Trails; Dirt Mermaids; Ridgway State Park; RAT volunteers and committee members, including trail crew regulars Dan and Jacob Weglin, Kristin Arnold, Doran Geise, John Straus, Tim McGough, Uschi Hall, Jimmie and Jessie Vaughn, and many others who dedicated countless hours to building and maintaining the system; and Andrew Merrill, RAT Trail Crew Lead.
RAT is a chapter of the Colorado Plateau Mountain Bike Trail Association (COPMOBA) dedicated to building and maintaining sustainable trails in the Ridgway area. To support local stewardship, visit https://www.copmoba.org/ridgway to become a member or make a donation.
Photo: Women’s Dig Day event; Credit: Crystal Merrill