Advanced Enduro Bike Park at Plešivec: Challenging Terrain for Skilled Riders, but Welcoming to All
Czech Out TrailPark Plešivec: A Rider's Playground for the Brave
Nestled near the German border, TrailPark Plešivec in the Czech Republic serves up a slice of heaven for thrill-seeking mountain bikers, catering especially to those who crave steep, natural trails. Even if you're an enthusiast of easy flow trails and rock gardens, this bike park has got you covered.
Helen: A Beginner's Delight
For greenhorns, the bike park offers one trail - Helen. Clocking in at 5 km, this is the park's longest trail, with most other lines connecting to it in the end. This easy, flow trail features berms, rollers, and a few tabletops. While it didn't wow me, it was by no means a letdown. September mid-season found the trail in pristine condition, with only minor washboards. Compared to what I encountered a month earlier in France, the trail was practically brand new[1].
Red-Hot Action in TrailPark Plešivec
There are two red trails to tantalize your taste buds for a challenge: Niki and Niki Enduro. At 2.5 km, Niki is a diversified trail with smooth berm turns, tables, rocky gardens, and steep descents. Unfortunately, most of the tables are on a flat section, making it tough to attain the necessary speed for a jump[1].
Niki Enduro adds a zest of enduro into your rides. This short (approx. 0.5 km) trail branches off from the first section of the Niki trail or from the Daniela black trail.
Black Diamonds and Ruby Rides
The park boasts numerous black trails. One of the more unique ones is Rock n Rolla, a trail that defies its red-and-black marking, leaning more toward black in terms of its tight, rocky turns[1]. This awe-inspiring trail, approximately 1 km long, is almost entirely comprised of a rock garden.
The remaining black trails are 1-2 km long, steep, and natural. One of them is Easy Ella, which I managed to conquer without a crash, albeit with several walk-ups. The second, similar trail is Daniela. Like Easy Ella, Daniela was also a challenge, with walk-ups in several places. It even has a fork where taking the left path leads you to the Niki Enduro start, while veering right allows you to bypass Niki Enduro and continue on the black trail. We chose the left path[1].
There's also the infamous Jelena Extreme, said to be the most difficult trail. Being a chicken, I didn't even bother trying it[1]. If you're feeling adventurous, take a gander at this German pro's video to get a taste of what you might be getting yourself into.
I spent a day at TrailPark Plešivec and left supremely satisfied. However, I didn't feel an ounce of regret for only devoting a single day. It was a delight to discover new trails, but the truth is, most trails were either too difficult or not interesting enough for me to want to ride them repetitively. Lucky for me (and you), there's another bike park right next door - Klinovec, so you can come to this region for 2-3 days and never grow bored[1].
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In the thrilling world of TrailPark Plešivec, a sports enthusiast might be attracted to the park's devotion to hockey-like challenge, with trails like Niki and Daniela offering steep descents and tight, rocky turns. If a less daunting experience is sought, Helen, the park's longest and easiest flow trail, invites beginners to enjoy berms, rollers, and tabletops, making it a delightful introduction to the realm of mountain biking.
