Key:dirtbike:scale

dirtbike:scale
Description
A classification scheme for the difficulty of trails for off-road motorcycles.
Group: properties
Used on these elements
Requires
highway=*
Useful combination
smoothness=* surface=* tracktype=* width=* incline=*
See also
motorcycle:scale=*
Status: in use
dirtbike:scale=* More details at taginfo
Tools for this tag
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Rationale

Provide a classification scheme for mapping the difficulty of trails suitable for off-road motorcycles, known as dirt bikes.

This scale is distinct from motorcycle:scale=*, which is derived from the German Denzel alpine road scale and primarily addresses paved and degraded mountain roads. That scale compresses most off-road difficulty into its upper two levels and does not capture the wide skill and equipment gap that exists between trail difficulty levels in a dedicated off-road context. dirtbike:scale addresses this gap with a range calibrated specifically for dirt bikes and enduro riding.

It's important to note that this scale specifically addresses trail conditions. The physical characteristics and examples provided for each scale level should help riders determine whether a trail is suitable for their skill level and the type of bike they are using.

To enhance the verifiability and precision of the scale due to its subjective nature, it is recommended to include additional tags such as smoothness=*, surface=*, tracktype=*, incline=*, and width=*.

This tag should only be applied where motorcycle access is legally unambiguous or clearly signed. It should not be used to imply or document access on trails where the legal status is contested or absent.

Applies to

• single tracks: highway=path
• double tracks: highway=track
• unpaved roads: any alternative highway classifications featuring unpaved surfaces

Nodes can be used to mark crux spots: sections significantly harder than the general difficulty of the way. If a node with a dirtbike:scale value is placed off the way, it indicates a harder section that can be circumvented.

How to map

This tag should be assigned to a way. You can either assign a specific dirtbike:scale=* value to the entire way or divide the way into segments with individual values. The difficulty value should reflect the most technically demanding section of the way. For longer ways with varying difficulty, consider splitting into segments.

Additionally,

• dirtbike:scale=? can be used to indicate that a specific route is known to be suitable for dirt bikes, although the exact difficulty scale is not known.

Values

Value	Description	Examples
0	Well-maintained gravel or compacted roads. Smooth, packed surfaces. No sections with ruts, rocks, or roots are expected. Wide turns and gentle slopes (<= 15% gradient). No special skills are needed.
1	Ungraded tracks with navigable small obstacles. Loose dirt or gravel. Occasional obstacles such as small ruts, roots, and stones. Wide turns and gentle slopes (<= 20% gradient). Ankle deep water crossings. Requires Basic riding skills
2	Rough tracks with moderate obstacles and slopes Occasional obstacles like medium-sized ruts, rocks, roots Tight turns and moderate slopes (<= 25% gradient) Possibly narrow exposed sections. Knee deep water crossings. Requires intermediate riding skills and good control of the motorcycle.
3	Challenging trails with large obstacles and steep slopes Large-sized obstacles such as small boulders, large ruts and fallen trees. Technical sections with off-balance turns and steep slopes (<= 30% gradient). Very narrow and exposed sections. Mid-thigh deep water crossings. Requires constant concentration and advanced skills.
4	Hard Enduro trails with rugged terrain Very large obstacles such as medium-size boulders, fallen trees and loose debris. Very tight hairpins and high steps requiring pivot turns. Very steep slopes (<= 35% gradient). Waist deep water crossings. Requires perfect bike control with trial techniques.
5	Extreme Enduro trails with unforgiving terrain Severe obstacles such as massive boulders, deep crevices. Technical sections with exposed edges, and unpredictable surfaces. Extremely steep inclines (> 35% gradient) Waist deep or higher water crossings. Reserved for elite riders with exceptional skill, nerve, and experience.

Third-party Support

Renderers

Tool	Support	Status	Link	Last update
OsmAnd	Custom Rendering	Enabled	https://github.com/osmandapp/OsmAnd-resources/pull/829#event-6708993295	May 2022
OsmAnd	Dirt Bike Trails Routes	Enabled	https://github.com/osmandapp/OsmAnd/issues/18756#issuecomment-2053672139 https://osmand.net/docs/user/map/routes/?current-os=ios&	May 2025

Possible tagging mistakes

motorcycle=no

The tag motorcycle=no specifies that it is legally prohibited to ride on a particular path. However, it is sometimes mistakenly used to suggest that a path is unsuitable or hazardous for riding. This constitutes a tagging mistake and should be corrected by using dirtbike:scale=*. On the other hand, roads that are legally off-limits for riding should not carry the dirtbike:scale=* tag.

Using motorcycle:scale for off-road trails

motorcycle:scale=* is oriented toward road and alpine pass conditions based on the Denzel scale. Applying it to single tracks or technical off-road ways compresses significant difficulty variation into too few levels. Use dirtbike:scale=* for dedicated off-road and trail contexts.

See also

• Motorcycling Tags
• motorcycle:scale=* - for paved and degraded mountain roads; based on the Denzel alpine road scale, less suited to technical off-road and trail conditions.