FATMAP by Strava

World Cup DH

Durango

Purgatory

The steepest, most technical line on the mountain.

Mountain Biking Extreme

Distance
2.5 km
Ascent
0 m
Descent
461 m
Duration
0-1 hrs
Low Point
2.7 km
High Point
3.2 km
Gradient
13˚
World Cup DH Map

World Cup DH is generally considered to be the toughest, steepest, most technical trail in the Purgatory Bike Park. This fall-line rip is in fact so steep that it takes many riders by surprise. You won't find anything this steep in most modern Colorado bike parks, like Trestle, Steamboat, Snowmass, etc. etc. Don't attempt this trail unless you're confident in your expert-level bike handling abilities.

Description

You've already seen some of this trail while riding the lift up the mountain, including some of the biggest drops on the trail. World Cup DH has a plethora of substantial drops, including natural cliffs, built-up wooden drops, small ledges, and more. While some of these can be bypassed, others cannot.

While you might think that the drops are the biggest problem, some of the steep, rutted, rock and root-strewn chutes can be even more challenging. Some of the chutes that have seen little maintenance in recent years are extremely eroded, creating full-commitment lines into small catch berms before plunging off of a blind drop into a steep landing with a hard turn... you get the idea.

That said, in between the biggest challenges, you'll find some steep, fast, loamy lines, with steep but rideable bridge rolls, and even some of the best aspen groves on the mountain! While this trail is tough, it's also a rare gem that has a devoted cohort of local riders who will lap it over and over again.

Difficulty

Extreme

Very steep, difficult, narrow singletrack with widely variable and unpredictable trail conditions. Unavoidable obstacles could be 15in/38cm tall or greater, and unavoidable obstacles with serious consequences are likely to be present. Obstacles could include big rocks, difficult root sections, drops, jumps, sharp switchbacks, and more. Ideal for expert-level riders.

High Exposure

3 out of 4

Some trail sections have exposed ledges or steep ascents/descents where falling could cause serious injury.

Remoteness

1 out of 4

Close to help in case of emergency.

Best time to visit

between June and October

Features

  • Technical
  • Shuttle-run
  • Singletrack
  • In the forest
  • Drops
  • Jumps
  • Roots
  • Gap Jumps
  • Rock Slabs
  • Rock Gardens
  • Wooden Feature

Similar routes nearby

Guidebooks in this area