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Fat Tug Loop

Mountain Biking Trail

Hard
3.68 mi
985 ft
This rugged ride is short but sweet!

Fat Tug is a fantastic mountain bike trail that provides a much more entertaining ride than the short distance might imply. The ride begins directly from downtown Pemberton by climbing through neighborhoods before cutting through a park and then into the woods.

Once you enter the forest, the grade kicks up dramatically, and suddenly that short mileage begins to feel like a lot more work as you grind steeply up the mountainside. Soon, you'll leave the dirt road behind for a singletrack climbing trail that's a bit more manageable, but will force some riders to hike in spots. As you climb, you'll cross portions of the descent, and glimpses of entertaining wooden features will have you salivating for what's to come.

A break in the trees at the top provides glimpses of long-range views from a boulder field, but soon, it's time to descend! At a metal sign with the logo of the eponymous IPA from Driftwood Brewery in Victoria, BC, you'll drop in and begin to shred with a vengeance!

This incredibly diverse descent begins with some flowy bits that roll into smooth jumps and fast sections of trail. A few big fall-away turns provide moments of vertigo deep in the forest.

The track gets progressively rougher as you blast through rock gardens, rumble down root webs, launch off of rock drops, and hit optional technical trail features like skinnies and rollers. While there's plenty of challenge to be had here, it's all firmly in single black diamond territory.

As you descend, you'll notice many unmarked trails that cross Fat Tug. It can be easy to lose your way if you're not careful, so be sure to stick to the main track unless you feel like exploring.

The deep, dark forest that Fat Tug flows through is uncharacteristic of the dry, rocky riding most often found in Pemberton. On this north-facing slope, you'll find beautiful black dirt, towering trees, and great traction. The descent also ends on the banks of a rushing mountain stream, with the cold air blowing off of the glacial water providing natural air conditioning on a hot day.

This is an absolute gem of a mountain bike ride and absolutely belongs on your hit list when you plan your next trip to Pemberton! Written by Greg Heil
Created By
Strava Routes

Route and Elevation

Segments

NameDistanceElev. Diff.Avg. Grade
Snob hill mid0.16 mi52 ft6.0%
Collins Rd Climb1.45 mi840 ft10.9%
Fat Tug Climb from Gate1.89 mi814 ft8.1%
Smokey Tickler1.03 mi656 ft12.0%
Fat Tug climb1.02 mi807 ft14.8%
Notorious T.U.G.2.62 mi797 ft0.6%
Hill climb0.39 mi243 ft11.7%
FTC Alt1.24 mi735 ft11.2%
Fat Tug Climb To Top1.59 mi768 ft9.1%
Fat Tug Climb plus descent1.92 mi-810 ft-2.7%
back and forth0.80 mi308 ft7.2%
FTC0.62 mi443 ft13.4%
Cloud Forest Ascent0.82 mi472 ft10.9%
Fat Tug1.16 mi-860 ft-12.8%
FULL Tug - to the Creek1.21 mi-791 ft-12.3%
Fat Tug (Trimmed)0.97 mi-801 ft-14.0%
Fat Tug DH to Fire Road0.83 mi-679 ft-15.3%
Fat Tug; new exit0.97 mi-778 ft-15.2%