The Red route begins from the trail head car park above Kielder Castle, easing you gently in with the Ravenshill section, shortly followed by Primrose Wood, with its huge swooping berms, and rock garden. Then the climbing starts proper, taking you to 'level 1' of Deadwater Fell where the fun really starts.

You enter Kersey Cleugh with a short rock section, if you choose, and head downwards to the notorious hand built section, known as Dougie's Day Off. There are big rocky steps and tight corners on this steep narrow descent where line choice is crucial.

The next section is the result of leaving a pack of dogs to do the trail planning. Three Dog Climb begins with a pair of staggered pincer rocks, which really test your balance, and then the trail meanders somewhat randomly uphill, twisting in on itself with some tricky hairpins, and awkward step-ups - we didn't want to make it easy, did we!

Forest road then takes you on an easier climb to 'level 2'. Here at the cattle grid, you have a choice to make. Head downwards for instant thrills, or go the whole hog and take the forest track all the way to the top of Deadwater Fell. It's only right that you do though, 'cos from the 1900ft summit you get the full mind blowing descent, all the way back down to 'level 1'.


As you leave the cluster of masts at the top, it's a 'love it or hate it' first blast. Hold your speed, and your nerve, down this loose rocky track and you'll feel great when you reach the bottom. Bottle it, and you might wonder what it's all about.


Then comes Into The Valley. Big corners, and table-tops greet you here, before you turn into the trees, heading ever downwards with some cracking rock sections and drop-offs.

One last climb to go now, and they don't come much tougher than this! Once you've passed through the two gates you're onto Jimmy's Hill. Paved with it's massive boulders, the trick here is to put all your power down to keep momentum as you bounce from rock to rock. Stop here, and you could be walking the rest!

After a blast around Superbowl, where the trail navigates an old quarry, move straight on to Shake, Rattle 'n' Roll. Speed picks up again here for a great pedally descent - the more you put into it, the more you get of it. Carve through Twist and Shout, which drop you the height of a house in two bends!

Dive back into the trees and things get tight and twisty again. Keep charging here and you reach Woodstock.

50 metres of banking boardwalk with the option of a skinny half way through. It's seriously strong and is surprisingly grippy, thanks to our choice of grooved top boards.

Finish off this section and it's on to the last. Narrow, twisting and flowing bends take you back to the Trail Head, where you could always give the skills loop one more go... or turn right and head for another lap of Deadwater!