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Seize the Cheese

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate Intermediate
 4.8 (80)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Southwest Rockies
  4. …Ridgway
  5. Ridgway Area Trails
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“A sample ride of some of the most scenic, buff, and fun singletrack you'll ever ride. ”

Tom Robson
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Map Key

20.1

Miles

32.3

KM

100%

Singletrack

7,692' 2,344 m

High

6,958' 2,121 m

Low

1,813' 552 m

Up

1,823' 556 m

Down

3%

Avg Grade (2°)

15%

Max Grade (8°)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Not Allowed

Trail system closed Dec 1st - April 30th for wildlife habitat.

Overview

This newly-built trail system is simply begging for more riders... And with great views, amazing trails, and flow for days, you'll be happy you made the trip!

Need to Know

Visit the Ridgway Wrench (no affiliation) in Ridgway for a copy of the latest map of the trails. Ridgway Adventure Sports also has Ridgway Area Trails (RAT) maps as well as a full service bike shop to meet all your pre or post ride needs.

Description

The RAT system is currently a work in progress, continually evolving with ongoing construction of new trails.

In the spring of 2013, after eight years of administrative review by BLM and constant advocacy from COPMOBA/RAT, BLM issued its final Environmental Analysis and Travel Management Plan for the RAT trail network. Construction began almost immediately and, to date, volunteers and paid professionals have constructed about seven miles of rockin' new singletrack.

To start, this ride takes you up the main entrance trail; The Big Cheese. Take this trail all the way up past Speedy Gonzales and Exterminator to an intersection with Rattus Maximus, Rat Trap, and Ratical. Turn right, then right again on Speedy Gonzales. Take this trail for a short distance and then stay left on Splinter.

Splinter is a mostly downhill trail with some awesome views of the surrounding Big Blue Wilderness and Courthouse Mountain. At its end, turn right onto Speedy Gonzales which will take you back up to the "Four Corners" intersection. Turn right here again and head down Ratical.

Ratical is an easy and flowing singletrack that has some really fun undulations. Let 'er rip on this trail but don't blow past the intersection with The Plagueround. Turn right here and enter this aptly named playground. As one of the few trails that exits the trees, this trail does get hot. However, it's very easy, fun, and is great for wide open speed. Stay right when you hit the next junction to eventually reach the newest addition to this trail system.

This new trail brings you across a bridge and up a beautifully built switchback trail. While the dirt can be loose, the going is never too steep, so you should have great traction. At this trail's top, check out the views of the surrounding San Juan mountains as well as the Big Blue's. From here, the trail descends rapidly in, around, and through a creek drainage.

From this drainage, you'll be back on the bridge and onto The Plagueround. Stay right here again and head up Double Crosser. At the end of Double Crosser, turn left onto Rattus Maximus, shortly thereafter turn right onto Rat Trap. Ride the switchbacks and whoopdeedoos on Rat Trap; this trail is super fun!

From the bottom of Rat Trap, stay right onto Rattus Maximus Spur. This trail brings you to the road, which you should turn right onto. At the road, dive right onto The Maze, the last trail of your journey. From the end of The Maze, stay left to hit the parking lot you started in.

Contacts

Local Club: RAT - Ridgway Area Trails

Land Manager: BLM Colorado - Uncompahgre Field Office

Shared By:

Tom Robson with improvements by Andy Persio and 1 other
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.8 from 80 votes

#1

in Ridgway Area Trails

#54

Overall
  4.8 from 80 votes
5 Star
80%
4 Star
15%
3 Star
5%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Ridgway Area Trails

#16

in Colorado

#54

Overall
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21,938 Since May 30, 2017
Intermediate Intermediate
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Photos

The views and riding won't disappoint!
Jun 21, 2017 near Ouray, CO
There are awesome views of the San Juans along Splinter.
Jun 21, 2017 near Ouray, CO
Great vista of Ridgeway State Park. And all fun on the way down from here! Speedy Gonzalez!
Sep 25, 2016 near Ouray, CO
The Rod of RODent with Marcus
Feb 14, 2016 near Ouray, CO
A speedy jump on the Speedy Gonzales Trail.
Feb 14, 2016 near Ouray, CO
Incredible views at the RAT
May 24, 2018 near Ridgway, CO

10 Comments

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Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 47 days ago
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Check-Ins

Oct 13, 2024
Sheri Vernier
Jun 6, 2024
Joel Larner
Great loop, thanks for recommending it. Gave an out-of-towner a great sampling of the area trails.
Oct 11, 2023
tooTALLtim
Such fun! well marked, great trails, and just lovely. with Jasmyn!
Aug 16, 2023
Atsuko Ohtake
Jul 21, 2023
Mich Scholl
11h 30m
Oct 2, 2022
Ol' Elk Dickens
Fantastic system!
Jul 11, 2022
Kevin Moss
Jul 5, 2022
jen kammerer
Smooth winding ST, limited climbing. Great views. Vs other reviews, I found very few soft spots. Driving directions wrong; use P parking lot on map.

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