This all started with a simple question we asked on social media:
What's the best trail name you've come across — and do you know the story behind it?

How often out discovering new tracks have you seen the name of a trail and just wondered where on earth did that come from? The responses have been brilliant. Some funny, some downright bizarre, and a fair few probably best left unexplained.

Trail names can say a lot — or sometimes absolutely nothing at all, and that's half the charm. From practical warnings to inside jokes and a fair bit of mischief, the stories behind them often have as much character as the trails themselves.

We've pulled together some great examples below and there are definitely a few themes emerging:

So, some work quite well to describe what to expect or key features. Names like Max Headroom in Hamsterley— where you had to duck under a fallen tree in a bombhole — or The Screaming Mile in the Peak District, hinting at a fast hold on tight technical descent. Potato Alley in the Peaks, also made an appearance, though no one seems entirely sure why although looking at it it is clearly a bone shaker of a descent laden with a sea of potato sized and shaped rocks. My favourite in this category is "1000ft of Glorious Granite" in Kirroughtree which tells you exactly what to expect. 

Then there are the totally random ones. Although on closer inspection not so random. Take Gary the Polar in Hawkshead.

"Story was one of the builders took his young niece to the zoo. They saw many animals, but at the shop she chose a polar bear toy as a momento and called it Gary. The day after we were naming the trail, and went for Gary the Polar Bear." (stupidmonkeykev)

Or Poo Hanger at Northampton Bike Park.

"The trail got its name from when the park was being built. Every morning when the trail builders arrived there was a poo bag hanging from a tree on the trail" (Crew at Northampton Bike Park)

Some trail names are again seemingly totally random but are actually cultural references like Wizard's Sleeve in the Surrey Hills that comes straight from the iconic 80’s adult comic Viz.There is a host of similarly names trails dotted around like this. 

Then there’s the more local legends theme, like Barry Knows Best in Peaslake — a nod to a rider who, it’s said, always found the perfect line.

Not all names are what you'd call family-friendly! Granny Smasher in the Gwydyr Forest and Jizzlobber near Betws-y-Coed are pretty dubious! 

Other names are more personal and downright dodgy like Conda in Risca was allegedly named after a builder who, apparently, was unusually well-endowed 🍆 😂.

The prize though in the most unapologetically un-PC category surely goes to the trail named "Obi Wans Wrinkley Sack" courtesy of the Bardon Trail association in Leicestershire. We initially assumed this had to be a joke—until we spoke with the trail builder and chief trail namer themselves, who provided indisputable proof (see below). This name sits squarely at the intersection of two recurring themes we’ve found in our trail-naming journey:

a) a deliberately politically incorrect sense of humour, and

b) a pop culture reference—in this case, the ageing Jedi Master himself.

Whether the name is an accurate reflection of the ride’s physical demands, I couldn’t possibly say… and might not want to think too hard about it.

And we even got some replies from across the pond. 6 Kids No Brains, a downhill trail in San Clemente, sums up the spirit of things without needing much explanation.

Who Names the Trails?

Usually it's the trail builders who decide — a bit of an unwritten rule in the MTB world. There's no real system: some names are warnings about the trail ahead, some capture the spirit of a group, others just reflect the mood when the spade work finished. Especially in the UK, where many trails are unofficial, names often shift and evolve with the local scene.

“My typical MO is for it to appear while building. My friends and I built four trails relatively quick in one area and the names did not present themselves for two. Post group rides we typically order pizza. We have nicknames for two. One is called Barnyard and the other Sting Ring. You can probably guess as too whats on them. So those two unarmed trails were named after unofficial pizza names. “ (seasoned trail builder)

Share Your Favourite Trail Names

We’d love to hear more. What’s the best or funniest trail name you’ve come across — and do you know the story behind it?

Drop your stories in the comments or send us a DM. We'll keep updating this article with your submissions — and if there’s enough, we’ll pull together a follow-up piece featuring the best, worst, and weirdest trail names out there.

Let's hear them.

Read: 239 times Published: 26/04/2025