In 1999, the Highlands County Recreation and Parks Advisory Committee voted to establish a Trails Initiative Committee. The committee, comprised of one representative from the State Department of Transportation and two local citizens, was charged with developing a Blueways, Greenways, Trails and Bikeways Comprehensive Master Plan and a trail system map for the county.

The goal was to expand the trails and to develop an interconnected trails network, thus making more trails more accessible to residents and tourists.

The TIC prepared the map, and it collaborated with the County Administrator, the County Parks and Recreation Director, the County Planning Department, and the National Park Service on the preparation of the comprehensive master plan.

The map and the master plan were approved by the Board of County Commissioners in 2000 and 2002 respectively, after public review and comment.

The master plan called for the establishment of the Ridge Trails Association. It gave RTA the mission of advocating for new biking, hiking, canoeing, equestrian and nature trails, as well as maintaining the trails system, and promoting its use.

RTA was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 2002. The organization has no paid staff and functions entirely with volunteers.

Sign at Hammock Road & U.S. 27

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