3.8 miles
Distance
571 ft
Climb
-581 ft
Descent
00:45:30
Avg time

Merlin View Details

  • Activities
    • Mountain Bike
    • E-Bike
    • Hike
    • Trail Running
    • Horse
  • Riding Area
    West Bragg Creek
    Bragg Creek, Alberta
  • Difficulty Rating
  • Voted Difficulty
    Blue (5 votes)
  • Trail Type
    Singletrack
  • Bike Type
    AM, XC, Fat
  • Direction
    Both Directions
  • Climb Difficulty
    Blue
  • Physical Rating
    Moderate
  • Trail Visibility
    Always easy to follow
  • Dogs Allowed
    Yes
  • eBike Allowed
    Yes up to Class 1
  • TTFs on Trail
    Berm, Bridge, Jump
  • Global Ranking
    #105 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • #2107 in E-Biking
    • #7747 in Trail Running
    • #7687 in Hiking
    • #336 in Horseback
  • Local Popularity
    100 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • 100 in E-Biking
    • 100 in Trail Running
    • 90 in Hiking
    • 100 in Horseback
  • Year Opened
    2014
  • Land Manager
    Alberta Parks

Built in 2014, Merlin View followed the successful build of Bobcat the previous year and it shares the same trademark features: consistent grades for easier climbing and flowing descents, sweeping bermed corners, rollers, bumps & table-tops. It has some good views too but you're likely to be too engaged by the trail to notice

Easily accessed from the trailhead via Braggin' Rights, Merlin View is a loop that can be ridden in either direction and combines seamlessly with Braggin' Rights to create a fairly easy & shortish (14km) ride. You could also add Merlin to the traditional Northern Flow loop (15km) for some extra climbing. Choosing to ride Merlin View counter-clockwise gives you the shorter (2km, 9%) climb and the longer (3km, 6%) descent.

From the Braggin' Rights / Reconnect junction head west into the long meadow / cut-line and turn right to begin the climb (if you're riding counter-clockwise). The trail follows this cut-line for the next kilometre, snaking back and forth through the trees on either side, until it reaches a big meadow. There a bench made from boulders offers a chance for a rest at this mid-point on the climb and you can take in the views to the south & east.

The trail then enters the trees and after a short rock-armoured section it climbs to the summit before following the ridge for 500m. It dips briefly and crests another minor summit before the descent begins for real - and it continues for the next 3km!

The descent is punctuated by all sorts of berms & bumps etc. to add to the fun, but there's nothing that interrupts the flow or demands advanced riding skills.

Eventually the trail emerges into a meadow / cut-line again, and finally climbs (via one switchback in the trees) up the cut-line back to the Braggin' Rights junction. Take the right turn there to return directly to the trailhead.

Local Trail Association
More Stats for Merlin View bike trail trail
  • Altitude change
    -10 ft
  • Altitude min
    4,880 ft
  • Altitude max
    5,447 ft
  • Altitude start
    4,975 ft
  • Altitude end
    4,964 ft
  • Grade
    -0.1%
  • Grade max
    -49.5%
  • Grade min
    56.5%
  • Distance climb
    2 miles
  • Distance down
    2 miles
  • Distance flat
    528 ft
  • Avg time
    00:45:30
  • Avg reverse time
    00:47:35
  • view trail stats
Status:
on Jul 3, 2022
Prevalent Mud
Avg: 4.45 (88 votes)
Your vote: 0

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Trail Conditions
  • Unknown
  • Snow Groomed
  • Snow Packed
  • Snow Covered
  • Snow Cover Inadequate
  • Freeze/thaw Cycle
  • Icy
  • Prevalent Mud
  • Wet
  • Variable
  • Ideal
  • Dry
  • Very Dry
Trail Flow (Ridden Direction)
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  • > 96%
  • > 90%
  • > 80%
  • > 70%
  • > 50%
  • < 50%
  • bi-directional trail
  • no data
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  • < 1 week
  • < 2 weeks
  • < 1 month
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  • > 6 months
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  • Downhill Only
  • Downhill Primary
  • Both Directions
  • Uphill Primary
  • Uphill Only
  • One Direction
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  • Description & Photos
  • Videos
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  • mountain biking (>6 month)
  • hiking (1 year)
  • moto (1 year)
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      Directions to merlin-view trailhead (50.959030, -114.725330)
      update trails status or condition

      Merlin View Trail Reports

      statusdatedescription
      Jul 3, 2022 @ 11:32am
      3 days
      Jun 8, 2022 @ 12:12pm
      Jun 8, 2022
      running water down back side and lots of puddles
      Jun 8, 2022 @ 12:12pm
      Jun 8, 2022
      water running down the back side. lots of puddles
      Jun 6, 2022 @ 9:39am
      Jun 6, 2022
      May 25, 2022 @ 5:05pm
      May 25, 2022
      Clear and fast
      view all reports »

      Recent Ridelog Activity on Trail

      Past Week
      • 46 rides
      • 11 miles avg distance
      6 Months
      • 1,403 rides
      • 11 miles avg distance
      All
      • 13,976 rides
      •  

      Photos

      more »
      68 |
      Jan 13, 2022 @ 4:26pm
      Jan 13, 2022
      63 |
      Aug 20, 2021 @ 9:45pm
      Aug 20, 2021
      655 |
      Feb 22, 2018 @ 4:46pm
      Feb 22, 2018
      920 |
      Jul 30, 2017 @ 5:25pm
      Jul 30, 2017

      Routes with this trail

      more »
      titledistance
      Braggin Rights and two lopsided of merlin12 miles
      Braggin Wizard8 miles
      WBC - Braggin' Merlin Classic8 miles
      West Bragg June Ride Plan9 miles

      15 Reviews & Comments

      • + 0
      RickOliver (Jun 30, 2022 at 5:51)
       Agree with all the comments it should only be ridden counter clockwise. It would be way safer if that was enforced and it was signed at the bottom
      [Reply]
      • + 0
      probono (Jan 2, 2022 at 9:44)
       Rode morning of Jan 2. Second tracks up. Switchback climb is surprisingly not that bad. Open area below the benches is obliterated by knee deep drifts.
      [Reply]
      • + 0
      BradFl2flK (Jul 20, 2021 at 20:35)
       I
      [Reply]
      • + 0
      fisherdac (Apr 14, 2021 at 17:11)
       Best ride in west Bragg. ONLY ride counter clockwise
      [Reply]
      • + 0
      MyGirlsRock (Dec 6, 2020 at 18:00)
       Just to repeat what has been said, but is incorrect in the description, please ride CCW. Way better and less risk! of injury!
      [Reply]
      • + 0
      Griffink (Aug 7, 2020 at 20:18)
       Amazing trail with a fun flow section. I have rode a bunch here and it is still my favourite trail
      [Reply]
      • + 0
      Jawae (May 16, 2020 at 9:30)
       Trail is 90% dry. Some muddy sections.
      [Reply]
      • + 0
      MountainJ4Y (May 15, 2020 at 5:39)
       Some muddy areas, it should dry out by late May 2020
      [Reply]
      • + 0
      markusarulius (Sep 20, 2019 at 6:48)
       Perfect conditions, dry and dusty with only a few tiny puddles along the downhill.
      [Reply]
      • + 0
      98teg (Aug 24, 2019 at 21:33)
       Love this trail
      [Reply]
      • + 0
      downshift10 (Aug 7, 2019 at 20:49)
       Great trail. Perfect conditions as of aug 2019
      [Reply]
      • + 0
      Bretson10 (Jul 13, 2019 at 19:02)
       If anyone came across a pair of black Icon gloves could you please call/text 4038897841

      Stopped near the top of the trail for a snack with my friend. Thought I maybe left the gloves behind, but she. I biked back up they were nowhere to be found.

      Thanks!
      [Reply]
      • + 1
      airell (Jul 1, 2019 at 12:06)
       This loop should be ridden primarily counter-clockwise (right entry to loop). Traveling this trail the other direction can be dangerous due to blind corners and oncoming traffic.
      [Reply]
      • + 1
      binthefreerider (Aug 28, 2018 at 9:46)
       best in west bragg
      [Reply]
      • + 0
      bigdog48 (Jul 27, 2017 at 20:35)
       Favorite go to trail.
      [Reply]





      Videos

      more »
      Trying to go FAST! Merlin’s View (Downhill...
      6:42 | 72 | Jun 3, 2022 , Bragg Creek
      Merlin's View - Bragg Creek, AB the fun...
      6:48 | 42 | Jun 1, 2022 , Bragg Creek
      Merlin View (2022-05-27) 4K
      29:21 | 37 | May 29, 2022 , Bragg Creek
      youtuber Best Mountain Biking in Bragg Creek, AB - Best...
      10:20 | 285 | Nov 13, 2020 , Bragg Creek
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