Countless adrenaline-seekers are preparing their suspension forks and knobbies for an exceptional riding season across some of the world’s most coveted trail systems. The competition for riders’ attention reaches new heights in 2025 with significant developments at established venues and emerging destinations alike.
Kielder Forest in the UK reveals its highly anticipated “Mile Down” this summer, a 650-metre red-graded trail engineered specifically for speed and progression. The Phil Saxena and Architrail Velosolutions team has simultaneously upgraded 565 metres of black-graded trails, incorporating technical features like advanced rock gardens, precision berms, and consequential drops that will challenge even seasoned riders.
The Mile Down challenges convention with purpose-built progression features engineered to thrill both novice and experienced trail enthusiasts.
Whistler Bike Park continues its reign as mountain biking’s crown jewel with over 80 kilometers of meticulously maintained trails. The iconic A-Line, Dirt Merchant, and Schleyer runs remain benchmarks in the industry. I’ve found their progressive jump lines particularly well-conceived, with enough variety to satisfy both weekend warriors and elite competitors during the annual Crankworx festival.
Bentonville has transformed from obscurity to essential destination status through strategic investment in purpose-built trails. The city now boasts an impressive 130+ miles of interconnected singletrack within its boundaries. Slaughter Pen and Coler Mountain Bike Preserve deliver remarkably diverse riding experiences for a location many initially dismissed as topographically challenged.
Spence Mountain in Oregon provides the perfect technical progression system with Speed King’s substantial 1,000-foot climb rewarding riders with flowing berms and tabletops. Modern trail bikes now feature improved downhill performance without sacrificing climbing efficiency, making technical terrain more accessible to riders of all skill levels. The more demanding North Ridge serves up genuinely technical terrain with steep descents that will test equipment and skill equally.
For high-altitude enthusiasts, Crested Butte’s network of 750 miles of alpine singletrack, including the legendary 401 Trail, delivers riding above 11,000 feet amid spectacular wildflower displays. The newly revamped A470 Trail at BikePark Wales now features more consistent jump sizes and extends all the way to the summit with an impressive 48 consecutive jumps.
Meanwhile, Moab’s Slickrock Trail continues to offer its unique 10.5-mile sandstone playground alongside technical descents like Porcupine Rim that drop an impressive 3,000 vertical feet in a single, unforgettable run.
