Singletrack = A narrow path for mountain bikes
A single track (singletrack) is a type of mountain biking trail, usually 12 to 24 inches wide (30 to 60 cm), or approximately the width of the bicycle.
Singletracks are narrow MTB trails that are ridden single file and can be as narrow as 6 inches (15 cm)
These trails can be smooth, technical, steep, flat, rocky, straight, curvy, uphill, downhill, rooted, or any combination
One-way travel or unidirectional singletrack is common
The tread of singletrack sections can increase up to 36+ inches (91+ cm) when the trail winds around obstacles, such as trees, large rocks, bushes, etc.
Singletrack design
(Image Source: Stavi and Yizhaq)
The above pictures are from a 2020 study from southern Israel that researched the hydrological and geomorphic principles on singletrack design:
Picture A:
‘Cemented’ singletrack section
Picture B:
‘Fortified’ singletrack section. The fortification is a mixture of clay soil and water and using a compacting machine
Picture C:
Chain-woven woodblocktrail section (this helps to negate shearing and rutting of the trail in unstable hill sections
Picture D:
Chain-woven woodblock trail section (this helps to prevent tire trenching in streambeds
Extreme Singletrack
(Image Source: Schymik et al.)
While most mountain bikers start on relatively smooth, flowy singletracks, some riders will progress to more advanced singletrails and a few will be skilled enough to ride extreme terrain.
Advanced & extreme singletracks include:
Exposed terrain (think narrow trail with exposed cliffs on both sides)
Stairs or steps
Rocky terrain with counter-climbs
Tight loop-like switchbacks
Large and unavoidable obstacles (natural or artificial)
Moving both the front and back wheel simultaneous is impossible and requires advanced riding techniques
Extremely steep
Especially in combination with trail obstacles or features
(Image Source: Schymik et al.)
Double Track
A doubletrack is a trail that is typically an overgrown dirt road, with two paths created by ATV or automobile tires.
Examples of double tracks:
Fire roads
Old mining roads
Service roads (such as powerline roads)
Jesse is Director of Pedal Chile and lives in Valdivia, Chile. Jesse has a Master of Science in Health & Human Performance and a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. Hobbies: MTBing singletrack, snowboarding, reading, taster of craft beers, researcher, & bicycle commuting.
Sources & References for “What is a singletrack?”
Felton, Vernon, and International Mountain Bicycling Association. Trail Solutions : IMBA’s Guide to Building Sweet Singletrack. Boulder, Co, International Mountain Bicycling Corp, 2004.
IMBA Canada. “The Importance of Singletrack – IMBA Canada.” IMBA Canada, imbacanada.com/the-importance-of-singletrack/.
Schymik, Carsten, et al. Singletrail-Skala (STS) Version1.4 Einstufung in Technische Schwierigkeitsgrade Www.singletrail-Skala.de. , 2008.
Stavi, Ilan, and Hezi Yizhaq. “Applying Geomorphic Principles in the Design of Mountain Biking Singletracks: Conceptual Analysis and Mathematical Modeling.” Land, vol. 9, no. 11, 11 Nov. 2020, p. 442, 10.3390/land9110442.