Mountain bike trail grades
What do mountain bike trail grades mean?
Every mountain bike trail is graded to give an indication of its difficulty.
The grades take account of:
- the trail surface
- gradients
- technical features
- level of fitness needed
The grade for every trail is given on the information panel at the start.
The panel also gives further details about the trail and tells you which waymarkers (a coloured arrow or other type of sign) to follow all the way round.
Look out for any “Top of the grade” warning signs. You might want to inspect these features before you ride them for the first time.
Forest Road or similar
Suitable for:
- A wide range of cyclists.
- Most bikes and hybrids.
- Ability to use maps helpful.
- Routes may or may not be waymarked.
Trail and surface types:
- Relatively flat and wide.
- The trail surface may be loose, uneven or muddy at times.
- These roads may be used by vehicles and other users, including horse riders and dog walkers.
Gradients and Technical Trail Features (TTFs):
- Gradients can be very variable and may include short steep sections.
- Occasional potholes may be present.
Suggested fitness level:
- A good standard of fitness can help.
Green/Easy
Suitable for:
- Beginner/novice cyclists.
- Basic bike skills required.
- Most bikes and hybrids.
- Some green routes can take trailers.
Trail and surface types:
- Relatively flat and wide.
- The trail surface may be loose, uneven or muddy at times.
- May include short, flowing single track style sections.
Gradients and Technical Trail Features (TTFs):
- Climbs and descents are mostly shallow.
- No challenging features.
Suggested fitness level:
- Suitable for most people in good health
Blue/Moderate
Suitable for:
- Intermediate cyclists/mountain bikers with basic off-road riding skills.
- Mountain bikes or hybrids.
Trail and surface types:
- As “Green” plus specially constructed single track.
- Trail surface may include small obstacles of roots and rock.
Gradients and Technical Trail Features (TTFs):
- Most gradients are moderate but may include short steep sections.
- Includes small TTFs.
Suggested fitness level:
- A good standard of fitness can help.
Red/Difficult
Suitable for:
- Proficient mountain bikers with good off-road riding skills.
- Suitable for better quality off-road mountain bikes.
Trail and surface types:
- Steeper and tougher, mostly single track with technical sections.
- Expect very variable surface types.
Gradients and Technical Trail Features (TTFs):
- A wide range of climbs and descents of a challenging nature will be present.
- Expect boardwalks, berms, large rocks, medium steps, drop-offs, cambers, water crossings.
Suggested fitness level:
- Higher level of fitness and stamina.
Black/Severe
Suitable for:
- Expert mountain bike users, used to physically demanding routes.
- Quality off-road mountain bikes.
Trail and surface types:
- As “Red” but with an expectation of greater challenge and continuous difficulty.
- Can include any usable trail and may include exposed open hill sections.
Gradients and Technical Trail Features (TTFs):
- Expect large, committing and unavoidable TTFs.
- Sections will be challenging and variable.
- May also have “downhill” style sections.
Suggested fitness level:
- Suitable for very active people used to prolonged effort.
Bike Parks Extreme
Suitable for:
- Riders aspiring to athlete level of technical ability, incorporates everything from full on downhill riding to big air jumps.
Trail and surface types:
- Severe constructed trails and/or natural features.
- All sections will be challenging.
- Includes extreme levels of exposure and or risk.
- Jumping ability obligatory.
Gradients and Technical Trail Features (TTFs):
- Will include a range of small medium and large TTFs, including downhill trails, freeride sections and mandatory jumps.
Suggested fitness level:
- A good standard of fitness, but technical skills more important.