Grading System

TrailData uses the standard grading system, but remember that all grading is subjective. The following is a rough guide. If in doubt, be cautious.

Green (Easy)
Suitable for: Beginner/novice cyclists. Basic bike skills required. Most bikes and hybrids. Some green routes can take trailers.
Trail & surface type: Relatively flat and wide. The trail surface may be loose, uneven or muddy at times. May include short flowing singletrack style sections.
Gradient & technical trail features: Climbs and descents are mostly shallow. No challenging features.
Suggested fitness level: Suitable for most people in good health.
Blue (Moderate)
Suitable for: Intermediate cyclist/mountain bikers with basic offroad riding skills. Mountain bikes and hybrids.
Trail & surface type: As Green (Easy) plus specially constructed single track. Trail surface may include small obstacles of roots and rocks.
Gradient & technical trail features: Most gradients are moderate but may include short steep sections. Includes small technical features.
Suggested fitness level: A good standard of fitness can help.
Red (Difficult)
Suitable for: Proficient mountain bikers with good off-road riding skills. Suitable for better quality off-road mountain bikes.
Trail & surface type: Steeper and tougher, mostly singletrack with technical sections. Expect very variable surface types.
Gradient & technical trail features: A wide range of climbs and descents of a challenging nature will be present. Expect boardwalks, berms, large rocks, medium steps, drop-offs, cambers, water crossings.
Suggested fitness level: Higher level of fitness and stamina.
Black (Severe)
Suitable for: Expert mountain bike users, used to physically demanding routes. Quality off-road mountain bikes.
Trail & surface type: As Red (Difficult) but with an expectation of greater challenge and continuous difficulty. Can include any usable trail and may include exposed open hill sections.
Gradient & technical trail features: Expect large, committing and unavoidable features. Sections will be challenging and variable. May also have 'downhill' style sections.
Suggested fitness level: Suitable for very active people used to prolonged effort.
Orange (Bike Parks and Downhill)
Suitable for: Riders aspiring to an elite level of technical ability, incorporates everything from full-on downhill riding to big-air jumps.
Trail & surface type: Severe constructed trails and/or natural features. All sections will be challenging. Includes extreme levels of exposure and/or risk. Jumping ability obligatory.
Gradient & technical trail features: Will include a range of small, medium and large features, including downhill trails, freeride sections and mandatory jumps.
Suggested fitness level: A good standard of fitness, but technical skills more important.
Purple (Longer Non-Technical)
Suitable for: A wide range of cyclists. Most bikes and hybrids. Ability to use maps helpful. Routes may or may not be waymarked.
Trail & surface type: Relatively flat and wide. The trail surface may be loose, uneven or muddy at times. These roads may be used by vehicles and other users, including Horse riders and dog walkers.
Gradient & technical trail features: Gradients can be very variable and may include short steep sections. Occasional potholes may be present.
Suggested fitness level: A good standard of fitness can help.