Mountain biking is an exciting sport for the sheer variety of experiences you can have. There are trails that are in it for fitness, adrenaline, and skill building. In this article we’re going to go over all the different kinds of trails you’re likely to come across.
Mountain bike trails can be single trails, part of a larger trail network, or part of a dedicated bike park.
It’s important to note though that outside of dedicated bike parks a lot of trails have a mix of these different types of trails. Asking around and exploring your local trails will help you know how these different types apply to your local trails.
Cross Country (XC) Trails
Cross country trails are designed to cover longer distances and often traverse varied terrain. They focus on sustained pedaling and require the rider to maintain a consistent pace. They are characterized by a mix of climbs, descents, and rolling sections that test your fitness and bike handling abilities.
Cross-country trails can vary greatly in difficulty, ranging from beginner-friendly routes to more demanding and technical courses. It’s important to research the trail difficulty ratings or consult trail maps to choose a route that matches your skill level and fitness. Some XC trails may feature technical obstacles that require precise bike handling skills.
When riding cross-country trails, it’s essential to be self-sufficient and prepared. These trails can be several miles long so carry enough water, snacks, and basic repair tools to handle any mechanical issues that may arise.
Cross-country riding provides a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in nature, push your limits, and enjoy the serenity of the trails. Whether you’re a beginner looking for a leisurely ride or a seasoned rider seeking a challenging adventure, cross-country trails offer a fulfilling experience for mountain bikers of all levels.
Flow Trails
Flow trails are designed to ride smooth and fast. On these trails you’ll find banked turns and packed dirt to give you the smoothest ride possible. You’ll rarely see rocky or uneven sections.
Just because it’s smooth though doesn’t always mean it will be easy. Flow trails come in different difficulty levels based on how steep the trail is and how challenging some of the turns and features are on it.
Flow trails are often machine built and most bike parks will have several flow trails.
These trails are perfect for when you want to just go fast and not worry about what the next challenge is going to be.
Technical Trails
Technical trails are essentially the opposite of flow trails. Technical trails are challenging and test your ability to handle your bike and overcome obstacles.
Technical trails vary in difficulty. On maps it’s usually labeled similar to ski hills with green being easy and black and red being difficult. Technical is also a term that riders will frequently use to describe how difficult a trail is. A trail that is more technical is a way of saying it’s more challenging.
Technical trails can include rock gardens, exposed roots, tight turns, narrow sections, steep descents, and drops. Checking out a site like Trailforks or MTB Project will help you see how advanced your skills need to be to ride certain trails.
Many sections will require you to go slow, balance on your bike, and use precise movements. You may also need to know how to bunny hop or do other maneuvers that get your tires off the ground.
Riding technical trails and conquering the different obstacles gives riders a sense of accomplishment. Getting better at technical trails always keep you coming back again and again to improve.
Downhill Trails
Downhill trails are designed for experienced riders seeking an adrenaline packed ride. These trails are all about speed, steep descents, and technical challenges. If you’re looking for the most exciting trails that get your heart racing, downhill trails are where you’ll find it.
These trails are often found in dedicated bike parks or specially designed areas with a focus on gravity-oriented riding. You’ll often find lifts or shuttles to the top since downhill specific mountain bikes aren’t built for climbing.
They feature a combination of natural and man-made features that maximize the descent experience. From steep drops and berms to jumps and technical sections, downhill trails offer a challenging and exciting ride for experienced riders. Though there are a variety of difficulty levels even with downhill trails.
Safety is essential on downhill trails due to the high speeds involved. We highly recommend protective gear such as full-face helmets and knee pads. Riders must also possess good bike-handling skills and be able to navigate technical terrain with confidence.
For those who crave an adrenaline rush and enjoy pushing their limits, downhill trails provide thrills and an unmatched sense of accomplishment when conquering the challenging descents.
Jump Lines
Jump trails are specifically built with multiple jumps and drops, offering you the opportunity to showcase your aerial skills and experience the sheer excitement of flight.
Jump lines are often found in bike parks or specialized trail networks designed for freestyle riding. They feature a series of well-shaped jumps, tabletops, doubles, and even gap jumps for the more daring riders. These trails are built to maximize flow and allow riders to maintain momentum between jumps.
Riders on jump lines need to have solid bike-handling skills and a good understanding of jumping techniques. Proper speed management, takeoff, and landing control are essential for a safe and enjoyable experience. It’s important to start with smaller jumps and progress gradually as you gain confidence and skill. You will also want to stick with table jumps and skip the gap jumps at first.
The feeling of weightlessness and the satisfaction of nailing a perfect jump make jump lines a favorite among riders who love catching air. Whether you’re perfecting your style or trying to master new tricks, these trails are an exciting corner of the sport.
Multi-Use Trails
Multi-Use Trails are probably the most common type of trail used for mountain biking in America, especially in areas where mountain biking is not as popular.
Multi-Use trails are trails that are shared between mountain bikers, hikers, and even horses in some areas. A lot of communities don’t have the money or the public demand to create dedicated mountain biking trails, so mountain bikers have to use the same trails as everyone else.
These trails vary widely from boring flat stretches to rocky, steep, and technical terrain. You may even find yourself needing to walk your bike over stretches that are inaccessible to bikes. For the most part though, these trails will be a mix of the different trail types discussed above in this article.
If this is all you have in your area you can use a site like Trailforks to see what’s good for mountain biking. You’ll likely find at least a few gems in your local trails. Even if you do have mountain bike-specific trails it can be worth it to get out and try some of the multi-use trails in your area.
When you do, just remember to be respectful of the other trail users. That way, when the next city council meeting brings up mountain biking, they have positive things to say (and because it’s just common courtesy).
Which Type of Mountain Bike Trail is Right for You?
The best way to figure out what kind of trail is right for you is to try them all out and see what you like. Maybe you got into mountain biking because you’re trying to get fit and lose weight. You might find later that you end up loving jump trails.
Start with where you think you want to do most and then try other trails as your skills develop.
Knowing your preferred trails is also a key factor in choosing the right mountain bike, which is another important reason to know where you like to ride, before you buy a bike.
Leave a Reply