Built in 2007 by the Scottish Downhill Association primarily as a race track, its origins hint at the challenges that await. Situated in the scenic glaciated valley of Glencoe the scenery is spectacular and barren. The trail threads its way straight down the open hillside with drops, rocks, tight switchbacks and plenty of challenge. This route provides a thrill for the experienced rider.

Statistics

0 - 1

hrs

0

m

298

m

15

max°

Difficulty

FATMAP difficulty grade

Severe

Description

As you exit the chairlift at the top of the track you make the short 15 metre journey to the top of the trail.

The track starts off on the upper section of the Red DH which provides a mellow warm up to prepare you for what follows.

The gradient on the top sections is easy but steep enough to gain speed simply by releasing the brakes.

Out of the start there are some mellow natural rollers that lead into a small 3ft drop.

This funnels you into a big sweeping right hand berm firing you out into a 10 ft (rollable) double jump which can provide plenty of speed when judged right.

A few rocks and a river crossing take you onto the traverse which works its way directly across the hillside.

About 200 metres along this traverse the trail splits and the Black DH takes the left fork.

This section is steeper with loose rocks, many drops and steps ranging from 10cm to 3ft.

After the drops you are rewarded with a brief 2 second rest on a boardwalk bridge before hitting the next feature; a blind double drop that requires a bit of momentum to get over nicely.

Soon after you hit the first rock slabs on the trail, the slabs are rounded and smooth from thousands of years of glaciated ice scraping them down.

This makes them smoother to ride but they are very steep so speed control is key.

The end of the first bag slab has a big compression into a left, right switchback followed by two steep awkward steps.

This is one of the hardest sections to keep smooth but so rewarding when you nail it.

Once you're cleanly through the steps there's some more rock slabs and sweeping turns at a shallower gradient - a brief respite before the hardest corners on the hill.

Get your speed down to barely a crawl then drop left into a mega steep and rocky left, right, left with steps before each turn.

The track now starts to criss cross its way down the hillside traversing from berm to berm with some drops, lumps and rocks to keep it exciting.

You exit out of the traverses and point straight down the hill once more.

Two rough 4ft drops lead you into a rocky pinball straight that keeps you on your toes.

As you head into the lower section the track smooths and mellows giving you time to prepare for the biggest feature.

A left hand berm shoots you out across the hill into a 30ft step down jump that requires maximum speed to clear (can be rolled slowly or ridden around).

Land this then negotiate the metal bridge over the river, float the two 20 foot table top jumps and coast into the finish.