CTC off-road trail grades
Encyclopedia
A grading system for way-marked
off-road cycling trail
s has been adopted in the UK, and is used by official bodies such as the Forestry Commission
and IMBA
-UK. It was originally developed by Cyclists' Touring Club
(CTC) employee Colin Palmer in June 1999, based on a system widely used for grading cross-country skiing routes.
A solitary major hazard (e.g. one steep hill or a difficult junction) will not necessarily raise an otherwise 'Easy' route into a 'Difficult' one.
Waymarking
Waymarking is an activity where people locate and log interesting locations around the world, usually with a GPS receiver and a digital camera. Waymarking differs from geocaching in that there is no physical container to locate at the given coordinates. Waymarking identifies points of interest for...
off-road cycling trail
Trail
A trail is a path with a rough beaten or dirt/stone surface used for travel. Trails may be for use only by walkers and in some places are the main access route to remote settlements...
s has been adopted in the UK, and is used by official bodies such as the Forestry Commission
Forestry Commission
The Forestry Commission is a non-ministerial government department responsible for forestry in Great Britain. Its mission is to protect and expand Britain's forests and woodlands and increase their value to society and the environment....
and IMBA
International Mountain Bicycling Association
The International Mountain Bicycling Association is a non-profit educational association whose mission is to create, enhance and preserve trail opportunities for mountain bikers worldwide....
-UK. It was originally developed by Cyclists' Touring Club
Cyclists' Touring Club
CTC and the UK's national cyclists' organisation are the trading names of the Cyclists' Touring Club.CTC is the United Kingdom's largest cycling membership organisation. It also has member groups in the Republic of Ireland...
(CTC) employee Colin Palmer in June 1999, based on a system widely used for grading cross-country skiing routes.
| Colour | Grade | Suitable for | Trail type | Gradient | Surface/width | Acceptable hazards | Distance | Maximum climb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green | Easy | Non-cyclists and families, children aged 4 or above riding solo, bikes with child seats or trailers, touring bikes, bikes for those with disabilities. | Rail trails, towpath Towpath A towpath is a road or trail on the bank of a river, canal, or other inland waterway. The purpose of a towpath is to allow a land vehicle, beasts of burden, or a team of human pullers to tow a boat, often a barge... s, reservoir trails, estate or forestry tracks, traffic-quiet roads, and those regulated by bylaws or other restrictions. |
Shallow climbs and descents capable of being ridden by children and non fit adults. | Blacktop Blacktop Blacktop may refer to:* asphalt concrete, a composite material commonly used for construction of pavement, highways and parking lots* bituminous macadams* tarmac... or compacted limestone Limestone Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate . Many limestones are composed from skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral or foraminifera.... or gravel Gravel Gravel is composed of unconsolidated rock fragments that have a general particle size range and include size classes from granule- to boulder-sized fragments. Gravel can be sub-categorized into granule and cobble... . Essentially smooth with a minimum content of loose surfaces. Normal width 2 - 3 metres. |
These trails should carry a very low risk. Any unavoidable hazards should be identified in promotional literature and through notices at trail head and site of hazard. | 5 – 10 km (3 – 6 miles) | 50 metres |
| Blue | Moderate | Occasional cyclists with some experience of road use or easy trails, reasonably fit families, children aged 10 or above riding solo, suitable for mountain bikes, hybrids or robust touring bikes. | As 'Easy' plus bridleways and byways and un-surfaced unclassified roads. Lightly trafficked lanes. | Shallow/moderate climbs with short sections of steeper climbs which may have to be walked. | Mostly stoned surfaces, 10% earth based singletrack, 2 metre width. | Some loose surfaces, ruts, potholes and or tree roots maybe expected. | 10 – 20 km (6 – 12 miles) | 100 metres |
| Red | Difficult | Regular cyclists with experience of moderate trails suitable for off-road quality mountain bikes. | Any usable trail with pushing or portage unlikely to exceed 2% of total distance. | A wide range of climbs and descents of a challenging nature. | Widths from 1 metre and any usable surface. Likely to include singletrack and other technical sections. | The route should be judged on the basis that a reasonably experienced rider riding within his/her level of skill and prevailing ground conditions, would not be expected to fall. | 10 – 50 km (6 – 31 miles) | 500 metres |
| Black | Severe | Expert mountain bikers who will expect and relish technical challenges. | Any. But with the expectation of technical riding which could include unforgiving terrain, severe climbs and descents, or considerable distances. | Any rideable or usable gradient. May include 'drop off Drop Off -Summary:The game was originally released in 1989 for the PC Engine under the title Drop Rock Hora Hora, and subsequently saw a stateside release in 1990 for the TurboGrafx-16 console. It was released on the Virtual Console in North America on July 30, 2007 and in Japan on August 28, 2007. It was... s'. |
Mostly off-road. Expected to include a significant proportion of singletrack, with challenging surfaces. | Hazards are expected as assessed and agreed by an expert user. Falling off will be expected. | 1 – 100 km (2 – 61 miles) | 1000 metres |
A solitary major hazard (e.g. one steep hill or a difficult junction) will not necessarily raise an otherwise 'Easy' route into a 'Difficult' one.
Severe
- The Forest of Ae: Ae Downhill Course (part of 7stanes project)
- Afan Forest Park: Skyline Trail
- Ampthill Forest: Dual slalomDual slalomDual slalom is an older mountain bike racing discipline similar to 4X racing.It consists of two racers racing two almost identical tracks next to each other down a slope. The courses are usually short; one run lasting about 30 seconds. It is filled with tabletop jumps, doubles and bermed turns...
Downhill Course - Coed-y-Brenin: Red BullRed BullRed Bull is an energy drink sold by the Austrian Red Bull GmbH, created in 1987 by the Austrian entrepreneur Dietrich Mateschitz. In terms of market share, Red Bull is the most popular energy drink in the world, with 3 billion cans sold each year. Dietrich Mateschitz was inspired by an already...
Trail and KarrimorKarrimorKarrimor is a brand of outdoor and sports equipment and clothing. It was founded in 1946 by Charles and Mary Parsons with Grace Davies who hand-sewed cotton-duck cycle pannier bags from the upstairs of their Lancashire cycle shop....
Trail - Cwmcarn: Y Mynydd Mojo
- Dalby Forest
- Glentress Forest: V-Trail
- Guisborough Forest
- Hamsterley Forest
- Hopton Wood
- Innerleithen Forest: Forestry Commission/Red Bull Project Downhill
- MachynllethMachynllethMachynlleth is a market town in Powys, Wales. It is in the Dyfi Valley at the intersection of the A487 and the A489 roads.Machynlleth was the seat of Owain Glyndŵr's Welsh Parliament in 1404, and as such claims to be the "ancient capital of Wales". However, it has never held any official...
: Cli-Mach-X - Thetford ForestThetford ForestThetford Forest is the largest lowland pine forest in Britain, Thetford Forest Park is located in a region straddling the north of Suffolk and the south of Norfolk in England...
Difficult
- The Forest of Ae: Ae Line (part of 7stanes7stanesThe 7stanes are seven mountain biking centres spanning the south of Scotland, from the heart of the Scottish Borders to Dumfries and Galloway. They are on Forestry Commission land and along with schemes in Wales are regarded as the benchmark by which further trails in the UK should be developed...
project) - Afan: White's Level, Penhydd Trail, & The Wall
- Argyll Forest Park: Glenbranter Cycle Splash & Ardgartan Peninsula Circuit
- Ben AiganBen AiganBen Aigan is a hill in Moray rising to a height of 471m to the east of the River Spey, which flows along the foot of its western and northern slopes. It lies to the east of Rothes and north east of Craigellachie. The Speyside Way passes over the shoulder of the hill....
: Blue Cycle Trail - BrechfaBrechfaBrechfa is a village in Carmarthenshire, Wales that has existed since the 6th century.- Location and amenities :Brechfa is set in countryside managed by the Forestry Commission or Forest Enterprise at the top of the Cothi Valley. The village is the site of Brechfa Mountain Biking...
: Abergorlech Red Trail - Coed-y-BreninCoed-y-BreninCoed-y-Brenin is a forest in the Snowdonia National Park, North Wales near Dolgellau at . It is well-known as a mountain bike resort and for its hiking trails...
: MBR Trail & Sport Trail - CwmcarnCwmcarnCwmcarn is a village situated in the Ebbw valley in south Wales, in the historic boundaries of Monmouthshire. It grew with 19th-century coal mining, but is now known for its extensive mature forestry and greenery, that attract thousands of visitors and mountain biking enthusiasts each year.-...
: Twrch Trail - Dalby ForestDalby ForestDalby Forest is a forest located on the southern slopes of the North York Moors National Park in North Yorkshire, England. It is maintained by the UK Forestry Commission...
: Red Cycle Trail - Durris ForestDurris ForestDurris Forest is a chiefly coniferous forest south of the River Dee approximately three kilometres west of Netherley in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. The A957 road forms the southwest boundary of Durris Forest, separating it from Fetteresso Forest. The Durris Forest includes several smaller named...
: Cairn Spur - Fetteresso ForestFetteresso ForestThe Fetteresso Forest is a woodland that is principally coniferous situated in the Mounth range of the Grampian Mountains in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. The forest has a number of prominent mountain peaks including the Hill of Blacklodge and Craiginour peak...
: Drumtochty Through Route Forest Trail & Bervie Loop Forest Trail - Forest of DeanCannop Cycle CentreCannop Cycle Centre is a small woodland cycling centre, comprising mountain bike trails, visitor centre and bike shop. It is located on the site of a former colliery in the Cannop Valley, Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire. The nearest village is Parkend, away...
: FODCA Trail - Gartly Moor Forest: Red Trail & Blue Trail
- Glentress ForestGlentress ForestGlentress Forest is located near Peebles in the Scottish Borders, about 30 miles south of Edinburgh. Part of the Tweed Valley Forest Park along with Traquair Forest in Innerleithen, it is the home of a mountain biking centre which is one of the 7stanes mountain bike trails operated throughout...
: Red Grade Freeride Area & Red Grade Trail - Great Glen Forest: Great Glen Mountain Bike Trail
- Grizedale ForestGrizedale ForestGrizedale Forest is a 24.47 km² area of woodland in the Lake District of North West England, located to the east of Coniston Water and to the south of Hawkshead. It comprises a number of hills, small tarns and the settlements of Grizedale and Satterthwaite...
: Hawkshead Moor & Silurian Way Cycle Trail - Gwydyr Forest: MarinMarin (bicycles)Marin is a bicycle manufacturer in Marin County, California, established in 1986. It specializes in mountain bikes but also has other types. Many of its 68 bicycles are named after locations in and around Marin County. -Bicycle range:...
Trail - Hamsterley ForestHamsterley ForestHamsterley Forest is a commercial forest in County Durham operated by the Forestry Commission. It is the largest forest in County Durham and covers more than 2000 hectares. Recreational activities are promoted within the forest and are focussed at the eastern end around the...
: Neighbour Moor Tour Cycle Route & Red Cycle Trail - Hopton Wood
- Kielder ForestKielder ForestKielder Forest is a large forestry plantation in Northumberland, England, surrounding the reservoir Kielder Water. It is the largest man-made woodland in Europe...
: The Swinburne Collection - Kirkhill Forest: South Spur Cycle Trail
- Llanwrtyd WellsLlanwrtyd WellsLlanwrtyd Wells is a small town in the parish of Llanwrtyd in Powys, mid Wales, lying on the River Irfon.With a population of 601 people , it claims to be the smallest town in Britain, although Fordwich in Kent has a smaller population...
: Esgair Dafydd Trail, Irfon Forest Route & Mynydd Trawsnant Route - MachynllethMachynllethMachynlleth is a market town in Powys, Wales. It is in the Dyfi Valley at the intersection of the A487 and the A489 roads.Machynlleth was the seat of Owain Glyndŵr's Welsh Parliament in 1404, and as such claims to be the "ancient capital of Wales". However, it has never held any official...
: Mach 3 Trail - Nant yr Arian: Summit Trail & Syfydrin Trail
- Pitfichie Forest
- Tay Forest
- Whiteash Forest: Whiteash Loopie