The Dragon’s Back is a classic, technical cross country mountain bike trail, which has matured well. Formerly the Karrimor trail, it has had some fine additions over the years. Challenging climbs, tight singletrack and long fast descents have made this ride into one of the most revered throughout Europe.
A long trail that takes you to the top of Moel Hafod Owen, for amazing views over the park and the mountains of Snowdonia, before dropping you down the Adam’s family; a series of descents that will have you whooping with delight! First, the swooping curves of Gomez, Morticia and Pugsley, then the stone pitched corkscrew of Lurch and finally the ballistic speed of Uncle Fester.
trail grade | suitable for | trail & surface type | gradients & technical trail features (TTFs) | suggested fitness level |
FOREST ROAD | A wide range of cyclists. Most bikes and hybrids. Ability to use maps helpful. Routes may or may not be way marked. | Relatively flat and wide. The trail surface may be loose, uneven or muddy at times. These roads may be used by vehicles and other users, including Horse riders and dog walkers. | Relatively flat and wide. The trail surface may be loose, uneven or muddy at times. These roads may be used by vehicles and other users, including Horse riders and dog walkers. | A good standard of fitness can help. |
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Beginner/novice cyclists. Basic Bike Skills required. Most bikes and hybrids. Some green routes can take trailers. | Relatively flat and wide. The trail surface may be loose, uneven or muddy at times. May include short flowing singletrack style sections. | Climbs and descents are mostly shallow. No challenging features | Suitable for most people in good health. |
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Intermediate cyclist/mountain bikers with basic offroad riding skills. Mountain bikes or hybrids. | As ‘Green’ plus specially constructed single track. Trail surface may include small obstacles of roots and rock. | Most gradients are moderate but may include short steep sections. Includes small technical features. | A good standard of fitness can help. |
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Proficient mountain bikers with good off-road riding skills. Suitable for better quality off-road mountain bikes. | Steeper and tougher, mostly singletrack with technical sections. Expect very variable surface types. | A wide range of climbs and descents of a challenging nature will be present. Expect boardwalks, berms, large rocks, medium steps, drop-offs, cambers, water crossings. | A wide range of climbs and descents of a challenging nature will be present. Expect boardwalks, berms, large rocks, medium steps, drop-offs, cambers, water crossings. |
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Expert mountain bike users, used to physically demanding routes. Quality off-road mountain bikes. | As ‘Red’ but with an expectation of greater challenge and continuous difficulty. Can include any useable trail and may include exposed open hill sections. | Expect large, committing and unavoidable TTFs. Sections will be challenging and variable. May also have ‘downhill’ style sections. | Suitable for very active people used to prolonged effort. |
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Riders aspiring to athlete level of technical ability, incorporates everything from full on downhill riding to big-air jumps | Severe constructed trails and/or natural features. All sections will be challenging. Includes extreme levels of exposure and or risk. Jumping ability obligatory. | Will include a range of small medium and large TTFs, including downhill trails, free ride sections and mandatory jumps | A good standard of fitness, but technical skills more important. |