MTSZ
MTSZ térképportál
Turista Magazin
TuristaShop
Kéktúra
Gerecse50
A kéktúrázás napja
Photo: F-Tech, Visit Lana
Difficulty ratings for mountain bike routes
This page provides you with an in-depth overview of difficulty ratings in mountain biking. It covers the well-established Single Trail Scale (STS) as well as the modern International Trail Rating System (ITRS).
On the difficulty of mountain biking trails
To rate the difficulty of mountain bike trails as objectively as possible, we've integrated two different scales into our platform:
- International Trail Rating System (ITRS)
- Single Trail Scale (STS)
Both scales rate trails based on objectively measurable factors such as surface and trail conditions, obstacles, gradient, and the number and line of turns. While the STS provides an overall difficulty rating for the trail, the ITRS looks specifically at technical riding difficulty, separate from other factors like fitness level and fall risk.
The International Trail Rating System (ITRS)
Always be prepared to face an unexpected obstacle, especially if you are outside a managed bike park, trail center or equivalent. So adjust your speed.
Trails are subject to environmental influences like erosion, growth of vegetation etc., and the actual difficulty of a trail may change over time.
In certain weather conditions the trails can be much harder to ride – the rating reflects the locally prevailing situation with respect to the trail being dry or wet.
Trails are subject to environmental influences like erosion, growth of vegetation etc., and the actual difficulty of a trail may change over time.
In certain weather conditions the trails can be much harder to ride – the rating reflects the locally prevailing situation with respect to the trail being dry or wet.
●
Beginner - Green is suitable for families with kids that are safely able to ride a bicycle. No MTB specific experience required.
No special skills are required other than being able to safely ride a bicycle.
No special skills are required other than being able to safely ride a bicycle.
■
Intermediate - If you have taken a beginners course or already have equivalent bike experience you should be able to try blue trails.
Correct body position and actively adapting it to the trail is required, as well as braking techniques on unpaved surfaces.
Basic cornering skills, good line choice and visual focus (knowing where to focus when looking ahead) are helpful.
Basic jumping skills will increase the fun.
Correct body position and actively adapting it to the trail is required, as well as braking techniques on unpaved surfaces.
Basic cornering skills, good line choice and visual focus (knowing where to focus when looking ahead) are helpful.
Basic jumping skills will increase the fun.
▲
Advanced - You should have finished an advanced riding skills course or equivalent bike experience and you have automated all basic riding skills before trying out red trails.
Ability to constantly adapt your body position and confident brake control in steeper terrain and on varying trail surfaces is required.
Corners can become so narrow that accurate line choice and visual focus is needed.
Advanced and confident jumping and dropping skills are required.
Lifting the front and/or rear wheel will be helpful to overcome obstacles.
Ability to constantly adapt your body position and confident brake control in steeper terrain and on varying trail surfaces is required.
Corners can become so narrow that accurate line choice and visual focus is needed.
Advanced and confident jumping and dropping skills are required.
Lifting the front and/or rear wheel will be helpful to overcome obstacles.
⧫
Experts - One or more expert riding skills courses and/or a lot of experience are required to try riding a black trail. Typically, you love to play with the challenges of the terrain.
Constant and precise brake control are mandatory, as is the ability to quickly adapt your body position; excellent balance is a prerequisite.
Corners may be so tight that pivoting on the front wheel becomes necessary.
Jumps and drops can be much bigger and higher so expert skills and a very high level of confidence are required.
Obstacles may be so high that confident bunny hop and drop skills are helpful.
Constant and precise brake control are mandatory, as is the ability to quickly adapt your body position; excellent balance is a prerequisite.
Corners may be so tight that pivoting on the front wheel becomes necessary.
Jumps and drops can be much bigger and higher so expert skills and a very high level of confidence are required.
Obstacles may be so high that confident bunny hop and drop skills are helpful.
⧫⧫
Extreme - This level is for a few exceptional riders only and requires professional downhill, freeride, slope style and/or bike trial skills.
Professional downhill, freeride, slope style and/or bike trial skills are absolutely necessary.
Professional downhill, freeride, slope style and/or bike trial skills are absolutely necessary.
The Single Trail Scale (STS)
The difficulty of a mountain biking trail. The assigned difficulty should be reassessed on site as difficulty can change over time i.e. due to erosion or other damage.
S0
Gravel or packed earth. The path has no particular difficulties and mostly consists of forest and meadow paths. Wide curves, easy to moderate slope. No special skills are needed to ride this.
S1
Smaller obstacles like roots and small stones that can be ridden over. Soil may be loose in places and there may be erosion damage. Tight turns, but no hairpin turns. Gradient up to 40%. Riding requires care and attention, but no special skill.
S2
Obstacles such as large rocks and roots. Soil is often loose. Steps are expected. Wider hairpin turns, gradient up to 70%. Requires some advanced riding skills.
S3
Many sections with large obstacles such as boulders and large roots. Many hairpin and off-balance turns. Slippery surface and talus. Gradient above 70%. Constant concentration and very good bike control and balance needed.
S4
Very steep and difficult. Sections with large boulders and roots. Frequent loose debris. Very steep sections with very tight hairpin turns and high steps that will cause the chainring to hit the ground. Perfect bike control and trial skills required - only for pros.
S5
Extremely steep and difficult with big boulder fields and debris, and landslides. Speed must be carried for counter-ascents. If at all only short passages are available for accelerating and braking. Very few mountain bikers can actually ride at this level.
