Trail Grades

If you are new to mountain biking, be aware of the higher demands of these trails and ride within your ability. Factors such as weather, fatigue, peer pressure and equipment can change and increase the difficulty of a trail quickly and often dramatically.

If you feel tired, rest. Respect the weather conditions. Know your limits. Stay safe!

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Green grade trails are suitable for: beginners, novices or family cyclists and most bikes and hybrids. No special skills are required for this grade. Some green routes can take trailers.

Green grade trail widths and surface types: these will be relatively flat and wide as well as hardened or surfaced. Easy grade trails include railtrails, towpaths, reservoir trails, estate or forestry vehicle track and roads.

Green grade gradients and technical trail features: climbs and descents are mostly shallow. The trail surface may be loose, uneven or muddy at times. May include short 'singletrack' style sections.

Suggested difficulty level: suitable for most people in good health.

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Blue grade trails are suitable for: intermediate cyclists or mountain bikers with basic off-road riding skills and for mountain bikes or hybrids.

Blue grade trail widths and surface types: as for 'green', plus specially constructed bike trails 1 metre or more wide. Firm and stable. Blue grade trails include bridleways, byways, unsurfaced and unclassified roads.

Blue grade gradients and technical trail features: most gradients are moderate but may include short steep sections. Small unavoidable obstacles, such as roots and roots rock, may be present.

Suggested difficulty level: a good standard of fitness can help.

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Red grade trails are suitable for: proficient mountain bikers with good off-roading skills. Suitable for better off-road quality mountain bikes.

Red grade trail widths and surface types: mostly stable, some variability. Width from 0.4 metres. Singletrack may or may not be surfaced.

Red grade gradients or technical trail features: red grade trails include a wide range of steeper, tougher climbs and descents of a challenging nature. There are unavoidable berms, boardwalks, large stones, moderate steps and drop offs. Cambers and water crossings may be present.

Suggested difficulty level: a higher level of fitness and stamina is required.

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Black grade trails are suitable for: expert mountain bike users, used to physically demanding routes. A good quality mountain bike is required.

Black grade trail widths and surface types: as for 'red', but with an expectation of greater and wider challenges and continuous difficulty. They can include any rideable or useable trail.

Black grade gradients or technical trail features: black grade trails feature unavoidable obstacles with large steps and drop-offs (40cm or more). There will be prolonged steep, loose and rocky surfaces. Some man made structures will be included. Can include exposed open hill sections.

Suggested difficulty level: suitable for very active people used to prolonged effort.

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Very severe black grade trails are suitable for: riders with an elite level of technical ability, able to undertake skilled bike control and ditch a bike in a controlled manner. Jumping ability obligatory!

'Very severe' trail widths and surface types: the trails will include very varied, severe, constructed trails and/or natural features. All sections will be challenging, and may include unpredictable "north shore" timber trail as well as elevated and narrow sections, including skinnies and gaps.

'Very severe' gradients or technical trail features: there will be extreme levels of exposure and/or risk. The trail will include unavoidable steep inclines and severe drops and might also include 'downhill' style sections and mandatory air. Many sections will exceed these criteria.

Suggested difficulty level: a good standard of fitness is needed , but technical skills are more important.

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Please note: mountain biking is a potentially hazardous activity carrying a significant risk. It should only be undertaken with a full understanding of all inherent risks. These guidelines must always be used in conjunction with the exercise of your own experience, intuition and careful judgment.