If you are looking for well rated trails in which to ride your ATV, the Colorado Association of Four Wheel Drive Clubs, Incorporated has an outstanding rating system for just such an occasion.
It can be difficult to rate trails for ATV riding, because the weather dictates how well the trail will ride. Aside from that, how well each individual person is able to ride, due to their experience, also makes a difference in how well the trail will ride. Still another variable is the quality of ATV that is being ridden.
For a person just learning ATV riding, you should be prepared with the knowledge that the trail will defeat you in the beginning. The best thing to do is to pick an easy ATV riding trail, and just try, try again.
When the Colorado Association of Four Wheel Drive Clubs, Incorporated rates a trail, they rate it going by the worst piece of terrain that must be traveled. This may mean that the entire four miles of an ATV riding trail is easy, and then the last half mile is incredibly difficult. Simply because of that last half mile, the trail could be rated and eight or higher when the rest of the trail was only a one or two.
For those driving an ATV with stock parts on it, for inexperienced ATV riders, for those with small tires (less than 30") or for those with normal open differentials, you should add one more to the number rating. Just the opposite applies to those with a lot of ATV riding experience, aggressive tires, et cetera. For those who fall into that category, you may subtract one from the rating.
Again, it bears repeating, weather dictates a great deal of how the terrain will ride. An ATV riding trail five can easily become an eight in the proper conditions. Always wear proper ATV riding gear, including pads and a helmet.
