FATMAP by Strava

Double Pumper -> Iron Curtain Loop

Vancouver Island

A pedal-forward ride that traverses through the heart of the trail system and explores the Eastern Bloc.

Mountain Biking Difficult

Distance
12 km
Ascent
294 m
Descent
294 m
Duration
1-2 hrs
Low Point
146 m
High Point
270 m
Gradient
Double Pumper -> Iron Curtain Loop Map

This pedal-forward mountain bike ride in Cumberland Forest traverses through the heart of the forest then heads over to the little-ridden Eastern Bloc area of the trail system.

Description

The ride begins by ascending the easy Spanker and Shaker trails near the dirt road. These trails connect to entrails as they traverse through the heart of the trail system to get over to the Eastern Bloc.

The character of this route is up-and-down the entire way, so enjoy the flowy down bits on Rugburn and, eventually, Upper Crafty Butcher to Double Pumper. Double Pumper especially is a fun, flowy down, but after that, you're officially in the Eastern Bloc.

The Eastern Bloc comprises the little-ridden eastern side of the trail system and it's renowned for short, punchy climbs and descents that are over all too soon. This area is still home to some gorgeous singletrack, but it's decidedly more cross-country in nature. Even still, beautiful views off of some of these trails combined with sidehill singletrack and sections of deep, dark forest and massive ferns make for a fantastic trail ride with far fewer people to contend with.

Top Hat and Iron Curtain are two of the best descents in the last half of the loop, with Top Hat descending from a bald high point, connecting on a dirt road, and then dropping again on Iron Curtain. The descents here are a bit more natural than those in the core of the trail system, but they are still quite intermediate-friendly.

Once off of Iron Curtain, you can follow twisty up-and-down singletrack to get back to the trailhead (as mapped), or simply pedal out easy on the mostly-flat gravel road.

Difficulty

Difficult

Mostly stable trail tread with some variability featuring larger and more unavoidable obstacles that may include, but not be limited to: bigger stones, roots, steps, and narrow curves. Compared to lower intermediate, technical difficulty is more advanced and grades of slopes are steeper. Ideal for upper intermediate riders.

Medium Exposure

2 out of 4

The trail contains some obstacles such as outcroppings and rock which could cause injury.

Remoteness

2 out of 4

Away from help but easily accessed.

Best time to visit

between May and November

Features

  • Flow
  • Technical
  • Singletrack
  • In the forest
  • Jumps
  • Roots
  • Rock Gardens
  • Wooden Feature

Similar routes nearby

Guidebooks in this area