Howard Springs Pine Forest

Howard Springs Pine Forest is one of Darwin’s most accessible mountain bike areas, offering a network of easy, flowing trails through the pine forest on both sides of Howard Springs Road. The mostly flat terrain and lack of major technical obstacles make it particularly well suited to beginners, families and riders building confidence, while faster riders can still have plenty of fun carrying speed through the flowing singletrack and testing their cornering skills. The trails have a hard-packed surface topped with loose pea gravel, creating fast riding but adding an extra challenge through the flat corners. The Pine Forest is a popular riding and racing location for Darwin Off Road Cyclists (DORC), with plenty of interconnected trails allowing riders to put together anything from a relaxed family spin to a longer cardio-focused session. Parking is available from several access points, including around the Stow Road intersection and Old Pine Forest entrance. RTS Tip: Howard Springs is a great choice if you’re new to mountain biking or riding with the family. Don’t underestimate the loose pea gravel though — the trails may be relatively flat and easy, but the surface can make faster corners surprisingly challenging. For your first visit, use the DORC/Trailforks map to navigate the network and bring plenty of water for Darwin’s tropical conditions.