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MTB Trail Grading Guide
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Trial cyclist
MTB Trail Grading Guide
Cross country singletrack trails at dedicated mountain bike centres use a grading system to inform riders of the difficulty of their various trails.
As good as any grading system may be, trail surfaces will vary throughout the year - and particularly during or after heavy rain. If in doubt, speak to the rangers, or stop and walk through a section.
Mountain biking is a potentially hazardous activity carrying a significant risk. Always ride within your own abilities.
|
GRADE |
GREEN |
BLUE |
RED |
BLACK |
|
EASY |
MODERATE |
DIFFICULT |
SEVERE |
|
|
SUITABLE FOR |
Beginner cyclists and families, riding bikes with child seats or trailers, touring bikes, bikes for those with disabilities. |
Cyclists with some experience of on-or off-road cycling and reasonably fit families, riding mountain bikes, hybrids or robust touring bikes. |
Experienced mountain bikers, riding mountain bikes. |
Expert mountain bikers. |
|
TRAIL TYPES |
Railtrails, towpaths, reservoir trails, estate or forestry tracks, traffic quiet roads. |
As 'green', also bridleways, byways, un-surfaced unclassified roads (UCRs) and lightly trafficked lanes. |
Any usable trail, including some bridleways, byways and UCRs. |
Technical trails, with unforgiving terrain, severe climbs and descents or considerable distances. |
|
GRADIENT |
Shallow climbs and descents. |
Shallow or moderate climbs, possibly including short sections of steeper climbs. |
A wide range of steeper, tougher climbs and descents of a challenging nature. |
Any rideable or usable gradient, including steep, loose, and rocky descents. |
|
SURFACE / WIDTH |
Blacktop or compacted limestone or gravel. Essentially smooth with a minimum content of loose surfaces. Normal width 2 - 3 metres. |
Mostly stoned surfaces with 2 meter width. |
Widths from 0.4 metre and any usable surface. Likely to include single track and other technical sections. |
As 'red' but with an expectation of greater and wider challenges and continuous difficulty. They can include any rideable or useable trail. |
|
TRAIL HAZARDS |
These trails carry a very low risk, but may include short, more difficult sections. |
Some loose surfaces, ruts, potholes and or tree roots. |
Unavoidable berms, boardwalks, large stones, moderate steps and drop offs. Cambers, water crossings and 'North Shore' may be present. |
Unavoidable obstacles with large steps and drop-offs. There will be prolonged steep, loose and rocky surfaces. Some man made structures will be included. Can include exposed open hill sections. |
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NOMINAL DISTANCE |
5 - 10 km (3 - 6 miles) |
10 – 20 km (6 - 12 miles) |
10 – 50 km (6 - 31 miles) |
1 – 100 km (1.6 - 61 miles) |
|
MAXIMUM CLIMB |
50 metres |
100 metres |
500 metres |
1000 metres |