Find the right grade for your abilities
Check the website before visiting to stay up to date with the latest changes.
Mountain bike trail grade system
Green: easy
What to expect
Relatively flat, wide, and smooth trails.
Gentle climbs, descents, rollers and berms, with easy to avoid features such as rocks and potholes. Surface might be loose, uneven or muddy at times.
Blue: moderate
What to expect
A mixture of climbs and descents with moderate gradients, technical features like tree roots and rock steps; jumps and berms.
Rollable features at controlled speed. Variable surfaces.
Red: difficult
What to expect
A mixture of steep climbs, descents and / or avoidable features. Larger jumps, berms and rollable features at controlled speed.
Technical features such as tree roots, drop-offs and large rocks. Very variable surfaces.
Black: severe
What to expect
Long and steep climbs, descents, and jumps. Numerous hazards including drop-offs and severe features.
Rapid rate of surface change. Commitment required.
Double-black: extreme
What to expect
Very fast and steep descents. Large drop-offs, jumps and unavoidable obstacles that require high levels of skill and commitment.
Extreme level of exposure or risk. Rapid rate of surface change.
Forest road and tracks
What to expect
Gradients can be steep or variable. Surfaces may be uneven, loose or potholed. Navigation skills are useful (routes not always waymarked).
Look out for other users, vehicles and forestry work.
Mountain biking glossary
If you're new to mountain biking some of the jargon might be a bit confusing. We've provided explanations of a few of the more common words you might hear below.
Staying safe
Off-road cycling is a hazardous activity carrying some inherent risks. Please consider your skills, abilities and fitness carefully.
Always make sure your bike and helmet are safe to use. Follow all signage, cycle safely, enjoy yourself and return soon.
Help us take care of the forest by following the Scottish Outdoor Access Code