Tricity Singletrack Action on an E-MTB — 40 km and over 700 m of Climbing in the Tricity Landscape Park

A crisp morning in Gdańsk greeted us with brisk sea air mingling with the rich scent of pine and beech forest. The early sun barely filtered through the dense canopy of the moraine hills as we powered on our head units and buckled our helmets. Ahead lay 40 kilometres of pure woodland riding in the heart of the Tricity Landscape Park (TPK). Beneath us was the Specialized Levo SL 2 Comp Carbon – a lightweight, agile 150 mm travel full-suspension bike engineered to thrive on technical root carpets and punchy, brutal walls.

The moraine terrain surrounding Gdańsk frequently catches flat-coast sceptics by surprise. Over 700 metres of vertical climbing on a 40-kilometre loop clearly proves that these ravines and gullies demand strong legs, vigilant braking points, and finely tuned motor assistance.

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- Distance: 40.1 km
- Elevation Gain / Loss: +719 m / -719 m
- Moving Time: ~2h 49m
- Average Speed: 14.2 km/h (Max downhill speed: 32.6 km/h)
- Crux Climb: TPK glacial moraine ridges (instant gradients up to 14%)
- Physical Difficulty: 3.5 / 5 (Intermediate, constant up-and-down interval profile)
- Technical Difficulty: 4 / 5 (Slippery roots, tight switchbacks, glacial stones)
- Recommended Bike: Lightweight Full-Suspension E-MTB (e.g., Specialized Levo SL) or 140–160 mm trail full-suspension rig

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We kick off near the Gdańsk Morena district (Jaśkowa Dolina area), quickly ducking away from the tarmac into the forest arteries of the Tricity Landscape Park. The opening kilometres serve as an ideal warm-up: the Specialized SL 1.2 motor is set to Eco mode (a subtle 35% support level) to keep our legs in an aerobic zone while conserving watt-hours in the integrated 320 Wh battery.

The tracks remain moist from the overnight mist, and our Specialized Butcher and Eliminator tubeless tyres (fresh sealant, 1.4 bar front, 1.6 bar rear) bite reliably into the forest loam. Smoothly settling into rhythm, dodging fallen logs, and ramping up cadence build an exhilarating early flow.

This is where things get serious. The post-glacial topography morphs into a relentless sequence of short, punchy ramps. Entering the areas of Matemblewo and Dolina Radości (Valley of Joy), gradients regularly push past 10%, peaking at 14% on the sharpest switchbacks.

Flipping the remote into Trail mode uncorks 50 Nm of torque. Paired with the lightweight Levo SL chassis, this gives natural, progressive drive without spinning out the rear tyre on wet roots. Short cranks, weighted front Fox 36 Rhythm fork, and a high-cadence spin on the 10-52 cassette allow us to clean vertical pinches that would force analog bikes into hike-a-bike mode.

We crest the ridges overlooking the Oliwa and Wrzeszcz districts. Following intense vertical efforts, the route transitions onto tight, winding singletracks. Here the bike's geometry shines: a low centre of gravity, Fox Float Performance rear shock tracking every contour, and SRAM Code R 4-piston hydraulic disc brakes provide reassuring control.

Heart rate stabilizes around 138 bpm on the bike computer, with over 1100 kcal already burned. Despite motor assistance, handling a dynamic E-MTB across technical singletracks demands continuous upper-body and core engagement.

The final sector serves up fast descents plunging down woodland ravines towards Dolina Samborowa and Jaśkowy Las. We hit a top speed of 32.6 km/h, carving between mature beeches and hunting optimal lines through glacial sand berms.

The closing 3 kilometres offer a calm spin-down back to the start. The battery readout shows a healthy 28% remaining – an impressive efficiency return over 700 vertical metres in demanding terrain.

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The Tricity Landscape Park is unique in Europe: an extensive belt of forested moraine hills situated right against the vibrant Baltic metropolis of Gdańsk.

Along the ride, you will encounter deep erosional ravines, natural monument trees, and the secluded sanctuary at Matemblewo nestled in a quiet stream valley. The route balances a rugged, near-submontane beech forest character with close proximity to historic Gdańsk. In the early morning hours, roe deer, wild boars, and black woodpeckers are common sights.

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- Distance: 40.1 km
- Total Elevation Gain: +719 m
- Average Speed: 14.2 km/h
- Maximum Downhill Speed: 32.6 km/h
- Average Cadence: 78 rpm (crucial for motor efficiency on the SL 1.2 system)
- Average Heart Rate: 138 bpm (max 166 bpm on the steepest kickers)
- Estimated Energy Expenditure: ~1150 kcal
- Battery Consumption: ~72% of the built-in 320 Wh battery (~5.7 Wh/km)

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After wrapping up the loop, roll straight into nearby Gdańsk Wrzeszcz for well-deserved refreshment:
- Garnizon Gdańsk (Słowackiego / Hemara St.): A vibrant hub of specialty coffee shops (such as Sztuka Wyboru or Pobite Gary). The perfect spot for a double espresso, artisan pastries, and bike-friendly patio seating.
- Dolina Radości / Oliwa: Scenic stop options near the historic Water Forge (Kuźnia Wodna) in Oliwa.
- Water Refill: Clean spring and public water access points can be found around Matemblewo and forestry posts.

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1. Tyres and Pressure: Glacial moraine soil combines sand, clay, and slick roots. Robust 2.35–2.4" trail/enduro tyres set up tubeless are ideal (1.3–1.5 bar front, 1.5–1.7 bar rear).
2. Drivetrain Setup: A 1x12 setup with a 32T chainring and 10-51T/10-52T cassette is essential to maintain smooth 75–85 rpm cadence on 14% pinches.
3. E-MTB Battery Management: On lightweight e-bikes (~320 Wh), stick to Eco on transfers and crests, engaging Trail only on steep climbs. A Range Extender is not required for 40 km / 700 m if you contribute solid pedal power.
4. Trail Safety: Clay sections turn slick after rain. Always ride with an all-mountain helmet (preferably with MIPS), full-finger gloves, and high-contrast lenses for low-light forest sections.

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The moraine trails of Gdańsk in the Tricity Landscape Park provide a prime testing ground for modern E-MTB machines. This 40 km loop delivers a potent interval workout, technical climbing challenges, and pure descending flow.

Download the free GPX track below, upload it to your Garmin or Wahoo unit, and test your mettle on Gdańsk's forest walls. See you on the trail!