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Difficulty of mountain bike trails: Singletrack (STS)

The scale for classifying singletrack (STS) is divided into six difficulty levels between S0 and S5, defined on the basis of factors such as terrain, obstacles, slope and curves, on which the degree of driving skill required depends.

italian mairhofer mtb 2023
Credits: Alice Russolo - Mairhofer at the Italian MTB 2023

TRAIL S0 – Very easy

Indicates a path (single track) that does not present particular difficulties: for the most part these are paths with good grip on the surface, in woods or meadows, or on compact gravel. In this type of paths you do not have to face steps, rocks or roots. The slope of the trail is mild to moderate and the curves are always quite wide. The S0 routes can be tackled without particular technical mountain bike skills.

  • TRAIL CONDITIONS: compact terrain with good grip
  • OBSTACLES: none
  • SLOPE: mild to moderate
  • CURVES: wide
  • TECHNICAL DRIVING SKILLS: No special skills required

Path S1 – EASY

On an S1 trail you will find small obstacles such as roots that are not very prominent and small stones. Often the greatest degree of difficulty is due to water discharges or erosion. On S1 single trails the surface may not be very compact. The gradient reaches a maximum of 40% and there are no hairpin bends. Starting from level S1, a basic MTB riding technique and good concentration are required. The more complicated passages require the ability to apply the brakes and influence the trajectory with the movement of the body. However, all obstacles can be overcome without particular technical driving skills.

  • TRAIL CONDITIONS: possible loose surface, with small roots and stones
  • OBSTACLES: small obstacles (water channels, damage caused by erosion)
  • SLOPE: <40%
  • CURVES: narrow
  • TECHNICAL DRIVING SKILLS: Basic driving skills are required

Path S2 – MEDIUM

On an S2 single track you encounter larger roots, stones, steps and stairs in a sequence that is not very demanding. There are often sharp bends and the gradient can reach 70% in some passages or sections. To overcome obstacles, a fair amount of mtb riding skills are required.
The ability to brake at all times and to shift the center of gravity are necessary techniques, as is the ability to precisely control braking and keep the body always active while driving.

  • TRAIL CONDITIONS: very often loose soil, protruding roots and stones
  • OBSTACLES: various types of obstacles and steps
  • SLOPE: <70%
  • BENDS: easy hairpin bends
  • TECHNICAL DRIVING SKILLS: Advanced driving skills are required

Path S3 – Difficult

Trails with many technical passages on blocks of rock and/or roots belong to the S3 category. There are often high steps, hairpin bends and difficult slopes. You will also have to deal with slippery and not very compact terrain. Sections with a gradient greater than 70% are not uncommon.
The S3 sections do not yet require a trials riding technique, however they require excellent control of the bike, mastery of brake modulation and excellent balance.

  • TRAIL CONDITIONS: technical, frequent protruding roots and large rocks, slippery and not very compact terrain
  • OBSTACLES: high boulders
  • SLOPE: >70%
  • BENDS: tight hairpin bends
  • TECHNICAL DRIVING SKILLS: More than advanced driving skills are required

Trail S4 – Very difficult

S4 describes very steep trails with large blocks of rocks and/or challenging passages over roots, as well as loose or very loose surfaces. Almost extreme slopes, tight hairpin bends and steps high enough to impact the crown are common. To ride correctly on an S4 singletrail, it is absolutely necessary to possess a trial riding technique, such as the ability to move the front and rear wheel, knowing how to brake with perfect precision and having excellent balance. Only very experienced bikers can tackle an S4 route. Even transporting a bike over such passes is often quite difficult.

  • TRAIL CONDITIONS: technical, frequent protruding roots and large rocks, slippery and loose terrain
  • OBSTACLES: Steep ramps, very high steps (often crown height or more)
  • SLOPE: >70%
  • CURVES: very tight hairpin bends
  • TECHNICAL RIDING SKILLS: perfect mastery of the bike and trial skills, such as moving the rear wheel on hairpin bends.

Path S5 – Extreme

The S5 grade is characterized by very technical terrain with counter-slopes and slippery surface, extremely tight curves, extreme slopes, steps and very large obstacles in close sequence, including fallen trees. The braking distance is very short, when present. Some obstacles can only be overcome by jumping over them. The hairpin bends are so narrow that it is not possible to move the wheels. Carrying the bike is also almost impossible, as you have to use your hands to hold on or even climb. Only extreme bikers can tackle S5 passages.

  • TRAIL CONDITIONS: very technical with counterslopes, slippery and loose terrain. It may include sections similar to via ferratas in the high mountains.
  • OBSTACLES: steep ramps, steps in close sequence that are difficult to overcome
  • SLOPE: >>70%
  • BENDS: very tight hairpin bends with obstacles
  • TECHNICAL DRIVING SKILLS: excellent mastery of trial technique; the movement of the front and rear wheel is very limited.


Written by

[email protected] I am a fan of everything that has 2 wheels: at a young age I practiced road and track cycling (Italian Allievi champion). At the age of 18 I passed into the cross country competing at national/international level as an Under23. Past Elite, I made the choice to take things more lightly from a training point of view, and my love for gravity disciplines was born, training me as an FCI MTB instructor and guide. Now I have made passion my profession by managing 2 MTB centers on the island of Elba (Bike Center Elba and Elba MTB), creating the FANTAmtb and telling in an ironic but professional way everything that revolves around MTB thanks to 365mountainbike and 365TV (YouTube'PULITI dentro BIKER fuori').

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