BlackTrail





“...experience one of the most full on and testing technical climbs to be found in the UK.”

“Saddles down for the fast descent round big berms and over a series of drop-offs...”

“...various options within and between each feature provides unlimited opportunity for skills progression...”



	Black Route (13.6km) The black trail shares the red-graded route until the main forest road is reached at the top of "Cat's Climb". This provides an excellent warm up for entering "Fox Farm", a narrow singletrack climb with stone features now more frequent and interesting. Still time to enjoy the occasional view and forest wildlife and to build some confidence for things to come. At "Stone Circle" there is a choice of remaining inside the forest on "Treeline" or to emerge onto the open hill to experience one of the most full on and testing technical climbs to be found in the UK. Stone slabs abound, creating many difficult features over the 0.5km section of trail that climbs rapidly through a series of tight switchback corners. Clean that and the award is a tremendous view at the junction of "Black Lynx" and the outward contour trail to the top of Ben Bhraggie.



	The link provides a quick route to the roller coaster on "VTOL" (vertical take-off and landing). However, continuing out onto a fairly traditional epic climb is more than justified by the amazing outlook to all horizons from the top of the descent close to the monument to the 1st Duke of Sutherland. Saddles down for the fast descent round big berms and over a series of drop-offs on "Mon-u-Mental" before hitting the scree section with good momentum. Full suspension an advantage here and onward onto the unique natural rock paving. Stone slab features are added to create bridges and jumps that require commitment to successfully clear, although escape routes are available to use as an option. After crossing the footpath the natural and built rock surface becomes increasingly gnarly and includes a long chute down into a gulley before "VTOL". The gradient increases slightly allowing more speed to be gained for a series of large rock drops and then the roller coaster. Marked by entry stones on each crest, this large feature has its own momentum but focus must be maintained to clear the drop-offs and take-off ramp on the tops.



	The trail then crosses the ultimate flyover; a 20m wooden bridge that allows mountain bikers to cross above the footpath at speed and down through the entry stones of "Run the Gauntlet". This is a technically challenging section of descent but with escape options that allow skills development en-route to achieving some of the more difficult features. The consequences of failure on the bigger features can be serious so take care to ride within your ability. Some of the drop-offs require mandatory air (ie. they cannot be rolled) but most can be cleared by either technique. There are short steep rock rolls and a larger chute into a seasonally present pool of water. Some impressive rock gardens with optional routes provoke temptation to "dab" but a good level of balance and skill will get you through. Descend down an array of rock combinations, take air over the cave onto a North Shore landing, pay due respect to "Pete's Step-Up Stone" and emerge at the top of "Valhalla". Enjoy!



	Treeline (0.5 km) This link provides an action-packed expert option within the shelter of the forest, rejoining the longer route at the Flyover/footpath crossing. Commencing at the "Stone Circle", the challenge starts almost immediately with a 67m rock causeway that seasonally runs with water. This progresses into a narrow singletrack with optional features, the largest and most technically complex being a 15m rock garden named "Pete's Puzzle" (after its creator). The various options within and between each feature provides unlimited opportunity for skills progression and confidence building. The trail emerges on the tree line over rock slab with chokes and challenges to the end. Black Lynx (0.1km) A short connection from the top of the technical climb to avoid going "the Laing way round" to the hilltop, this singletrack trail gives rapid access to the start of the "VTOL" rollercoaster section. Not overly testing after the climb the link gives a gentle introduction to the black descent.







	Stone slabs abound, creating many difficult features over the 0.5km section of trail that climbs rapidly through a series of tight switchback corners.



	Short steep rock rolls and a larger chute into a seasonally present pool of water.



	narrow singletrack with optional features, the largest and most technically complex being a 15m rock garden named "Pete's Puzzle”