FATMAP by Strava

Glentress Black XC Trail

Classic black-graded XC trail at the UK's leading MTB trail centre.

Mountain Biking Severe

Distance
26 km
Ascent
915 m
Descent
914 m
Duration
2-3 hrs
Low Point
174 m
High Point
600 m
Gradient
Glentress Black XC Trail Map

Glentress is the UK’s leading mountain biking trail centre and is increasingly popular with local and foreign riders alike. The centre hosts grades of trail from green for kids, blue, red, and right through to this black trail.

Description

Glentress boasts a total of 75km+ of way-marked trails. The Black trail, at 29km long, challenges the legs and heart with views of the rolling hills and forest to match. The climbs feel never-ending but the descents are just as hard work—keeping riders on their toes. While rarely does it get too steep, the Black trail has been reclaimed by the elements to a certain extent. Plenty of exposed rocks make it a challenge, requiring solid concentration and ideally a bit of rear suspension.

Section names on the black route like Britney Spears, The Bitch, and Deliverance followed by the Redemption climb are immersed in most Scottish mountain bikers' memories. Numerous unmarked variations have been built over the years that can be added on as detours, but you should always start with the classic full loop.

For the ultimate trail riding day out, a lap of both the Black and the Red trails tests the strongest of riders and squeezes out the maximum fun for your visit. The Red is smoother, flowier, and features the classic descent called Spooky Woods. This trail is less about endurance and views and more about fun with small jumps and big berms.

By 2019 the route will get a new descent to finish on that promises to add some airtime and another fresh challenge to the route.

Difficulty

Severe

Widely variable, narrow trail tread with steeper grades and unavoidable obstacles of 15in/38cm tall or less. Obstacles may include unavoidable bridges 24in/61cm wide or less, large rocks, gravel, difficult root sections, and more. Ideal for advanced-level riders.

Extreme Exposure

4 out of 4

Some trail sections are extremely exposed where falling will almost certainly result in serious injury or death.

Remoteness

1 out of 4

Close to help in case of emergency.

Best time to visit

all year round

Features

  • Flow
  • Technical
  • Roots
  • Tabletops
  • Rock Gardens

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