Get Ready | Tourisme Laurentides

Levels of difficulty
Safety, trail etiquette, and prevention

Levels of difficulty

To have fun at your skill level, before heading out, look at the proposed trail ratings.

Based on international standards, the trail difficulty levels are there to help you choose trails that correspond to your skill level.

Basic techniques include keeping a stable position, accelerating, braking, and analyzing the terrain safely. Advanced techniques can be used to manoeuvre tall obstacles and jumps with control.

The best way to have fun on the trails is to respect your technical and physical ability.

Very easy

These trails are the perfect introduction to mountain biking for families or new cyclists. They feature flat, wide roads with gentle turns designed for learning the basics.

Easy

These trails are the perfect choice for families and new cyclists to get acquainted with mountain biking. They feature wide, rolling paths with large turns and small rollers designed for practicing the basics.

Intermediate

These trails feature a more varied terrain, with rocks and roots and steeper slopes. They require good uphill physical fitness and a good command of basic downhill skills.

Difficult

These trails are built on an abrupt and uneven terrain. They require good physical fitness and an excellent command of basic downhill skills. Knowledge of advanced techniques to manoeuvre tall obstacles and jumps is highly recommended.

Very difficult

These expert trails feature tall obstacles and unavoidable jumps that require excellent physical fitness and an excellent command of advanced techniques. Built on a difficult and uneven terrain, these trails can be fast and particularly demanding.

We care about your safety!

Safety starts here

Choose a route based on your skill level and physical fitness.
Check the weather forecast and prepare accordingly.
Ride with company or always tell someone where you are going and when you expect to be back.
Carry a small first aid kit, a repair kit in case of a breakdown or flat, a cell phone, and enough drinking water.
Helmets are mandatory. Gloves, glasses, and knee and elbow protection are highly recommended.
Inspect your bike before leaving.

Trail etiquette

Respect signage and never follow a closed trail.
Do not leave or modify trails.
Stop to the side of the trail.
Offer help if someone has stopped or if you are involved in or witness an accident.
Give way to cyclists going uphill on two-way trails.
When going downhill, give way to the person in front of you. Leave a distance of at least two meters to avoid pressuring them.
Give way to hikers on shared trails.
Overtake or keep right when there is enough room.
Respect opening hours. Pack out all waste.
Be respectful at all times!

Prevention

Know and respect your limits. Choose trails according to your skill level and ride according to the level of the trail selected.
Progress according to your skill level and physical fitness.
Prepare your bike for each ride:
1. Lubricate the chain.
2. Check the brakes.
3. Adjust the tire and suspension pressure.
4. Inspect the drivetrain: derailleur, crankset, gears, pedals.

The user understands and acknowledges that mountain biking is an extreme sport that involves the risk of injury; and that, if the user chooses to engage in this sport, he or she does so at his or her own risk; that Tourisme Laurentides provides mountain bike routes for informational purposes only; that Tourisme Laurentides is not responsible for the condition or maintenance of the mountain bike routes presented; and that the user should inquire about the condition of the mountain bike routes with the relevant trail managers.

The Laurentians trails immerse riders in wide-open spaces and forests parsed by lakes, rivers, cities, and lively towns. Everyone will love to spend the day there, and there is the option of staying at a campground, cabin, cottage or hotel.

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