The Ridgway area has more than 40 miles of single track in some of the most beautiful scenery in the country, through the valleys and foothills and up the slopes of the San Juan Mountains. Cyclists and mountain bikers of all ages and levels will find fun and challenges around the area. And don’t forget about fat biking when snow covers the ground.
Mountain Biking
Easy to moderate rides are accessible most of spring through fall in Ridgway State Park and Dennis Weaver Memorial Park, two lower elevation options. Please avoid them when muddy so as not to rut out trails. For more challenging terrain even for advanced mountain bikers, Ridgway has a wonderful multi-use trail system through our foothills. Created by the Ridgway Area Trails Group (RAT), the Sneffels Chapter of the Colorado Plateau Mountain Bike Association (COPMOBA), the trails are open May 1 to November 1.
Our local mountain biking community is welcoming when our visiting friends follow the rules, such as sharing the trail and riding in control. Be sure to plan your ride on designated trails that are open, and avoid biking during muddy conditions when you can damage trails. Since Ridgway is known for its incredible landscapes and animals, mountain bikers should be respectful so as not to disturb plants, wildlife, livestock and other natives.
Gravel Grinding
The Ridgway area is surrounded by unpaved county roads, both through ranchland and public lands. Gravel riding, aka gravel grinding, is a great way to enjoy non-technical mountain biking and discover incredible scenery off the beaten path. Ouray County Roads 17 and 23 make for an easy, gently sloping ride from Ouray to Ridgway, or more of a workout on the gradual inclines in the opposite direction. The top of County Road 5 through U.S. Forest Service land is for someone looking for a more mountainous challenge.
Insider’s Tip: For a totally unique experience, the San Juan Hut Systems has fully stocked huts, strategically located on dirt roads and single-track trails from high alpine areas to canyon country. Find hut contact information in the Recreation section of our online business directory.
Road Biking
Highways 62 and 550 that intersect Ridgway offer cycling routes with internationally-acclaimed scenery. Ridgway also has the amazing Uncompahgre River Trail, a concrete path that is perfect for road bikes, starting in town, traversing Dennis Weaver Memorial Park and ending deep inside Ridgway State Park. Other road biking options can be found in Montrose and the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park to the north.
