Trails

Yes - sometimes you need to catch your breath, take a look or check a section. But please only stop at clearly visible spots on the trail edge where riders behind you can see you in good time. Move your bike to the side and make sure there's a clear line of sight uphill.

Never stop in landings, behind crests or in corners - nobody can see you there in time. This is one of the most common causes of accidents in the bike park.

Overtaking on the trail is generally not encouraged - but in reality it can't always be avoided, e.g. when someone is riding very slowly or has stopped. If you do overtake, only under these conditions:

- There is clearly enough space to pass safely.
- You don't endanger anyone - neither the other rider nor yourself.
- You overtake at a clear, visible spot, not in corners, landings or behind crests.

When in doubt: keep your distance and be patient. The trail belongs to everyone - and a few seconds of waiting beat a collision.

Patience and respect. If someone ahead of you is riding slower, keep your distance and wait for a safe opportunity. Everyone rides at their own pace - that's perfectly fine. Tailgating helps nobody and makes things unsafe for everyone.

Before dropping into a trail: give slower riders a head start so you don't catch up immediately. If a trail keeps getting crowded, just pick a different one - we've got plenty of options for every speed.

The strong look out for the less experienced, the fast show respect to the slower - that's how we roll here.

No - pedestrians are not allowed on the bike trails. It's too dangerous as riders can come from above at any time. If you want to check out a trail first, look at the trail map online or simply ride it slowly on your first run. We recommend that anyway: new trail, first run, take it easy - no stress. You're in control.

Yes! Our trail crew is out in the park every day working on the trails - from reshaping berms to smoothing braking bumps and maintaining features. The team puts real passion into the park and keeps everything in the best possible condition.

That said: natural trails change throughout the day and the season - roots get exposed, rocks shift, braking bumps form. Always ride within your line of sight and expect that a trail may have changed since your last run.

Yes, and noticeably so. In the morning trails are often damp and grippy - by the afternoon they're dusty and loose. The ground in Winterberg is naturally very dry and rocky, which means the surface changes significantly throughout the day. On top of that, braking bumps develop at busy spots - sometimes within just a few hours. Stay alert, expect changing conditions and adjust your speed.

Not necessarily - but it makes a huge difference on demanding trails. A downhill bike with 180-200 mm travel is the best choice for black trails like the iXS Downhill Line or BLACK LINE 1.0. The long travel, stable geometry and braking power give you much more safety and control on steep, technical sections.

For green and blue trails, an enduro is perfectly fine - no DH bike needed.

Want to try one? You can rent current Ghost downhill bikes at the Bikestation.

BLACK LINE 1.0 is the steepest trail at Bikepark Winterberg - black-rated and for experienced riders only. It gets seriously steep, and full body protection is mandatory.

Our tip: ride the red trails confidently and cleanly before taking on the BLACK LINE. The iXS Downhill Line is also black-rated and no joke either. Both trails reward you with a real adrenaline rush - but only if you bring the right skills and equipment.

Here's a quick guide - pick what suits you:

First time at a bike park? Start with the green trails: Beginner & Kids Area, Fairy Trail and Schneewittchen Trail. Wide, relaxed, no pressure - perfect for getting a feel for the park.

Beginner with some experience? The blue trails KyrHill, SRAM Flow Country and Fly By offer first features and lots of flow. Great fun without being overwhelming.

Intermediate? The red trails get more technical: Freeride, North Shore, Forrest Stump, Rocky Waldboa and Shreddy Mörphy offer natural lines with real enduro character. The Slopestyle Area and Jolli Jumper are perfect if you like getting airborne.

Expert? The black trails iXS Downhill Line and BLACK LINE 1.0 are for experienced riders - steep, technical, full body protection mandatory. This is where it gets serious.

Three lifts:
- Panoramabahn: 4-seater chairlift, ~500 m, 67 m elevation, ~2 min. Green and blue trails.
- Kappe Chairlift: 6-seater detachable (Doppelmayr 2013), ~190 m elevation. Red and black trails.
- Schneewittchen Lift: 6-seater detachable with conveyor belt. Beginners and families.

Yes. A minimum height of 1.25 m is required to use the chairlifts safely. Smaller children can use the Beginner & Kids Area, which is accessible without a lift.

We strongly recommend it. When transporting your bike on the chairlift, the front wheel is placed in a carrier. On some models the front mudguard is too long and can get damaged during loading. Best to remove it beforehand and stow it in your backpack or attach it to the frame.

Yes! The bike wash station at the Kappe base station has the same front wheel carriers used on the lift. You can practise loading your bike there at your own pace, stress-free. And don't worry: at the lift itself, our lift staff are attentive and happy to help you load and unload.