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Please note: Vader's Lair is currently closed for repairs following forestry operations, but the main hill is open. Apologies for any incovenience this causes. See the Vader's Lair diversion map (PDF 219k). 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
Head to the Dark SideTo reach the Dark Side, ride out of the car park and up into the forest passing the shop and the Forestry Commission offices. Follow the forest road up to the skills area and at post 11 head left up the forest road towards Lochbank Hill. Keep on the road, passing the entrance to the red-graded Contour Climb on your right at Post 23. Not long after this, you’ll come to the qualifier for the Dark Side on the left hand side. (If you reach Post 29, 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 purple-graded Lochbank Loop) until post 58. Take a right here and stay on this road until post 66, again take another right and follow the road for a few hundred yards, until you come across a skinny piece of board rail and the caution signs – the start of the Dark Side!
Your CommentsName: Anonymous ( )23/Aug/2010 Crazy s**t. Will be going back as soon as I learn to ride my bike (thought I could until I tried this). Lots of fun but you will need some trials experience to get the most out of it. :) Name: Anonymous ( More user comments
)31/Jul/2010 For the money that must have been spent building this I doubt it is what you would consider value for money. Only ride this if you don't mind damaging your bike and self. Been here, done this? What did you think?Tell us what you think of this trail. Nuts and boltsBits and pieces |
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4/Sep/2010