The Kona Dark Side offers one of the most severe tests for any mountain biker and is for experts only. Far from being a conventional cross-country trail, this 3.8km circuit is made up mostly of North Shore timber trails – and they’re among the most technical to be found anywhere. We recommend that you walk sections of the Dark Side before riding it.
The trailbuilders have constructed a fiendishly difficult trail, featuring off-camber step-ups, drop-offs, skinnies, gap jumps and rock features. It’ll leave you physically exhausted and mentally drained – in a good way!
High and narrow
The North Shore ranges from 60cm at its widest point to a scary 10cm – which can look like it’s not much wider than your tyres. The trail climbs to 1m above the ground, and takes you through a gap jump, which at 4ft wide and an elevation of 7ft raises the stakes even further.
- If you’re looking for a good place to practice your North Shore skills before heading to Mabie, try out the Ewok Village on the Glentress V trail.
Head to the Dark Side
To reach the Dark Side, ride out of the car park and into the wood on a wide walking path. Continue up the trail past Post 5 and join the forest road.
Keep on the road, passing the entrance to the red-graded Contour Climb on your left at Post 17. Not long after this, you’ll come to the qualifier for the Dark Side on the left hand side. (If you reach Post 47, you’ve gone too far).
Once you’re through the qualifier, the route takes you back onto forest road by the side of Lochaber Loch. Follow the forest road (part of the blue-graded Lochbank Loop). Pass Post 50 on your left and climb up and round Lochbank Hill until you reach Post 56 – the start of the Dark Side.
Grade: Orange bike park (see trail grades for details of this grade)
Distance: 3.8km
Route is entirely North Shore timber trail.
