Mountain bike route grading system
The Brecon Beacons National Park uses a standard, colour-coded mountain bike route grading system to help you choose a location to match your ability.
Black Route - Level 5
Includes extreme terrain
Some sections can be considered totally unrideable for the majority of people
Red Route - Level 4
Blue Route - Level 3
Distance: 8–25km
Moderately steep inclines requiring a reasonable amount of effort on the climbs
Greater degree of technical expertise needed on the descents
Terrain may demand that riders pick a line
Obstacles on the terrain
Green Route - Level 2
Distance: 8–20km
Moderate climbs
Moderate descents
Rougher or slightly slippery ground surface
Picking a line may not be necessary
Any line on the track should be rideable but may include small stones, shallow broad ruts or slightly slippery terrain
Yellow Route - Level 1
Distance: 8km or less
Fairly flat terrain
Even surface over whole width of track
Track at least 2m wide
No big climbs
No big descents