MTB Canberra
Whether you're into friendly flow trails, all-day epics, big jumps or steep and deep gravity-fuelled adrenaline - Canberra has you covered
Trail Networks
1. UC Stromlo Forest Park
Just 15 minutes from the CBD, Stromlo boasts over 50kms of professionally built and maintained singletrack ranging from the flowy jumps and berms of Vapour and Trebuchet through to raw natural jank, endless XC loops, a jump park and two pump tracks. Private and commercial shuttles make uplifts easy and The Handlebar keeps you fuelled up with food and local craft beers aplenty.
2. Majura Pines
Majura is built and maintained by volunteers with professional help from Iconic Trails – the park has a huge variety of machine-built and natural trails and boasts a kids pump track and two different jump parks to suit BMX, dirt jump or dual-suspension bikes. Check out Pinot Grinio, Barry and Planet Clare for fast intermediate flow with a few bigger gaps to keep you interested. For more of a challenge try Rock Lobster, Touching Cloth or Rocksanne.
3. National Arboretum
Family friendly flow trails, playgrounds and picnic spots with the best views in Canberra – all just ten minutes from the CBD. The National Arboretum is a must for MTB families visiting Canberra. The Arboretum is also a great base to explore Molonglo Pines and Zoo Pines, as all three trail networks are linked with two underpasses so you can safely cross the Tuggeranong Parkway.
4. Canberra Centenary Trail
A 145km loop that joins up some of Canberra’s best MTB parks with singletrack through the grounds of Parliament House and an abundance of options for food and drink along the way. The views are amazing and some sections have a remote feel that you can’t get in any other capital city. Single-day Centenary Trail missions are a favourite of the RideCanberra crew – we suggest replenishing your calories by starting and finishing at The Handlebar Stromlo.
5. Kowen Forest and Sparrow Hill
Probably only the Kowalski Bros know exactly how much fast, flowing singletrack exists between West Kowen, East Kowen and Sparrow Hill, but it’s at least 150kms of entirely volunteer-built trail. West Kowen features steeper enduro descents, whereas East Kowen and Sparrow Hill are a mix of flowy loops and more challenging technical XC. Take an esky full of food and drinks and spend a few days banging laps…
6. Bruce Ridge
A deceptively large slice of bushland between the Australian Institute of Sport and the CBD, Bruce Ridge provides over 30kms of flowing XC singletrack amongst native forest with some fund and fast gravity-based trails. The Friends of Bruce Ridge volunteer crew keeps the trails running beautifully all year round and there are plenty of nearby of options for a burger and a beer after a few laps.
7. Molonglo Pines and Zoo Pines
Two separate volunteer-built trail networks on the banks of the Molonglo River and joined by an underpass, providing over 20kms of trail. Zoo Pines delivers smooth, flowy XC thanks to the Kowalski Bros. The Molonglo Pines Trail Alliance looks after the other side (affectionately known as Poo Pines), which has some challenging jump trails and natural tech. You won’t want to miss the fast flow and big airtime of Wakefield Park and The Footpath!
8. Cotter Pines
A collaborative build by Kowalski Bros volunteers, professional builders from Iconic Trails and the ACT Government Department of Sport and Recreation with around 18kms of singletrack. It’s mostly hand-built XC, but near the south-western carpark you can find some machine-built berms and jumps. After the ride head down to Casuarina Sands for a BBQ and a dip in the river… or maybe a spot of fishing!