Mountain biking flow trails are built to feel smooth, rhythmic, and repeatable, making them some of the most approachable MTB trails for newcomers. Their predictable, smooth surfaces also make them an awesome choice for riders who want to chase speed without worrying about a root or boulder throwing them over their handles.
Whether you’re new to mountain biking or are an experienced rider looking for an alternative to technical trails, you should know what flow trails are and how to ride them.
What Is a Flow Trail? Flow Trail Definition
A flow trail is a purpose-built mountain bike trail designed to help riders maintain momentum through smooth turns, rolling terrain, and consistent features. This focus on momentum in these trails’ design means they require less braking and pedaling.
On most flow trails, the trail itself does a lot of the work. Banked corners support your tires, rollers reward good timing, and features are shaped to be visible and predictable so you can focus on staying balanced and looking ahead. In general, you can expect flow trails to be rated blue or green.
What Features Are on a Flow Trail?
Flow trails can look a little different from park to park, but they typically share a few main features, such as berms, rollers, grade reversals, and optional jumps. The most common features on flow trails include:
Berms
Berms are banked turns that let you corner with more support than a flat turn. A well-built berm helps you maintain traction and speed as you enter with control and look through the exit.
Rollers
Rollers are rounded mounds and dips that create rhythm. Instead of pedaling through them, many riders pump for speed.
Grade reversals
Grade reversals are gentle dips and rises built into the trail. They help manage water and erosion while also adding that rolling, playful feel that makes a trail link together.
Rolling grade dip
A rolling grade dip is a specific kind of grade reversal that looks like a smooth dip followed by a gradual rise. Riders often barely notice it at speed, but it helps the trail drain and stay rideable.
Tabletop jumps
Tabletop jumps have a takeoff, a flat top, and a landing. They’re often considered progression-friendly because many riders can roll the feature or take a small pop before working up to bigger air.
Step-up jumps
Step-ups are jumps where the landing is higher than the takeoff. They can feel more approachable because the trail “meets you” on the landing.
Step-down jumps
Step-downs are jumps where the landing is lower than the takeoff. They can feel faster and longer at the same approach speed, so they’re usually better once your timing and speed control are solid.
Hip jumps
Hip jumps send you slightly sideways, with the landing set off the direct line of the takeoff. They’re common on advanced flow lines because they combine airtime and direction change.
Clear sightlines
Flow trails are typically designed so you can see what’s coming. Good sightlines help you choose the main line or a ride-around early enough to stay smooth and safe.
Flow Trail vs Technical Trail
A flow trail is built for momentum and rhythm, while a technical trail is built around natural challenges and problem-solving.
Technical trails often feature rocks, roots, tighter corners, awkward climbs, and line choices that change with conditions. In contrast, flow trails tend to have more consistent surfaces and shaped features that encourage a steady pace.
Either trail can make for a fun afternoon of mountain biking, with technical trails just adding more challenge to your ride. Technical trails are often considered the classic mountain biking experience due to their rougher terrain.
Are Flow Trails Good for Beginners?
Flow trails are often beginner-friendly because they’re predictable, smooth, and designed for progression. However, the speed can sneak up on you, so it’s smart to start slow and build up to faster speeds.
A new rider can learn a lot on flow trails, especially cornering basics, braking timing, and body position over rollers. The key is to pick a trail that matches your current comfort level and treat your first lap as a learning lap, not a performance lap.
How to Ride a Flow Trail
If you want to have the best experience on a flow trial, it can help to know a few best practices. Review our top seven tips for riding flow trails below:
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Start With a Slow Scouting Lap
Your first run should be about information. Ride at a pace where you can see entrances and exits, spot ride-arounds, and notice where other riders might stop. Once you know what’s coming, you can gradually add speed.
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Look Farther Ahead Than You Think You Need to
Flow trails reward vision. When you look through the corner and toward the next feature, your bike naturally tracks smoother lines, and you avoid last-second corrections.
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Brake Early, Then Release Into the Turn
Many riders get into trouble by carrying too much speed into a berm and braking mid-turn. A better pattern is to do most of your braking before the berm, then stay light on the brakes and let the banked turn support you.
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Stay Centered, Then Let the Bike Lean
On flow trails, you’ll corner best when your body stays stable while the bike leans underneath you. As you corner, maintain a strong stance, relax your arms, and keep your eyes up. This combination helps your tires stay planted when the trail is fast and smooth.
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Pump the Trail Instead of Sprinting It
Flow trails are built to create speed from timing. On rollers and transitions, you can “pump.” When you pump, stay light as the bike climbs the front side of a roller. As you pass the crest and the backside begins, press down through your pedals into that downslope. This pressure keeps your tires connected to the trail, and the shape of the roller will naturally help you pick up forward speed.
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Roll First, Then Add Air on Purpose
If a trail includes jumps, start by rolling features or taking the smallest pop that feels controlled. Build up gradually, and avoid trying to match someone else’s speed. You’ll progress faster when every step feels repeatable.
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Take Breaks in Safe Places
Flow trails can be busy and move faster than people expect. If you need a break, pull well off the trail where you’re visible from above and after corners.
Flow Trail Etiquette and Safety
For everyone to have a fun and safe time out on a flow trail, riders need to follow some general rules for good etiquette and safety. Review some basic advice about how to act on a flow trail below:
- Follow directional signs and trail rules: If a trail is marked one-way or downhill-only, ride it in the intended direction. Uphill traffic on a fast descent can create dangerous surprises.
- Pass with patience and clear communication: When you want to pass another rider, call out early, wait for a safe spot, and let the rider ahead choose where to yield. A friendly “when you get a chance” can keep things relaxed as well.
- Don’t stop where riders can’t see you: Avoid stopping on landings, in the exit of berms, or just beyond a blind corner. Choose a wide, visible pull-off where riders have time to react.
Flow Trail FAQs
Are Flowy Trails and Flow Trails the Same?
“Flowy” describes how a trail feels. “Flow trail” describes a trail style that’s deliberately built for rhythm, momentum, and predictable features.
People mix up the terms because plenty of trails feel flowy even if they’re not purpose-built as flow trails. A natural singletrack descent can feel smooth and fast, and riders may call it flow. However, a true flow trail usually has obvious built-in shaping, such as sculpted berms, rollers, and a smooth, consistent tread designed to link features together.
Do Flow Trails Always Have Jumps?
No. Many flow trails are built around berms, rollers, and smooth transitions, and they may include ride-around options even when jumps are present.
Some flow trails are jump-heavy, especially in bike parks. Others focus on cornering and pumping, with features that stay rollable for a wider range of riders.
Are Flow Trails Only Downhill?
Flow trails are often downhill or primarily descending, but they’re not always steep, and some are built as rolling traverses or loops.
Many parks build descending flow lines because gravity helps the rhythm. That said, you can find flow-style segments in flatter areas too, especially where builders use rollers and grade reversals to create momentum.
To read more about downhill biking, check out our guide here.
Why Do Flow Trails Feel Faster?
Flow trails feel faster because the trail is shaped to help you keep momentum, with supportive turns, consistent transitions, and fewer abrupt changes that force hard braking.
Smooth surfaces and clear sightlines also make it easier to carry speed. That’s why you should always remember that a trail that feels easy can still get quick, so build pace gradually.
Ride a Flow Trail in Pigeon Forge at WildSide
If you’re looking for flow trails in Pigeon Forge, TN, WildSide is ready to welcome you to our adventure park. At WildSide, we have over 20 mountain biking trails and 11+ miles of total terrain for bikers to explore. Our Halfway Up flow trail is perfect for beginners who want to practice riding over rollers or explore our lower trails. When you want more of a challenge, head up to Trillium, which is our single-track flow trail featuring berms, natural rock features, and tight turns.
Learn more about our mountain biking adventures today. If you’re ready to schedule a visit to WildSide, please review our bike passes and rental options.