Mt Owen MTB Trails

The Mt Owen MTB Trails in Queenstown, Tasmania, deliver one of Australia’s most dramatic big-mountain riding experiences, with approximately 35 km of purpose-built trails across the exposed rocky slopes of Mount Owen. Rising to 1,146 metres above sea level, the mountain towers over Queenstown on Tasmania’s West Coast, providing more than 800 metres of elevation range and incredible views towards Frenchmans Cap, Lake Burbury, the Southern Ocean and the surrounding West Coast ranges. The terrain is unlike most Australian trail centres, with exposed ridgelines, loose rock, steep gradients, alpine-style landscapes and genuine backcountry riding. The network is divided into Upper Mountain and Lower Mountain trails. The Lower Mountain is accessed from the Tramway Street trailhead in Queenstown and includes options for a broader range of riders. Ready Orr Not provides a 1.5 km introduction to Queenstown riding, while the 5.9 km Welcome to Queenstown climbs onto Little Owen before delivering giant berms, rollers and spectacular 360-degree views. Riders can progress onto Sticht Up and the historic Sledge Track for longer and more challenging adventures. The Upper Mountain is where Mt Owen becomes a serious big-mountain destination. Access is exclusively by authorised shuttle, with trails including the 9.9 km Waterfall, Chamouni Traverse, Summit Loop, The Long Spur, North Owen Descent and Natural Selection. Waterfall travels through boulder fields and past Horsetail Falls before plunging into a remote valley, while Chamouni Traverse follows exposed ridgelines high above Lake Burbury. Natural Selection takes things even further, beginning with a hike-a-bike above 1,000 metres before tackling highly technical summit terrain and a raw descent designed for highly experienced riders. Mt Owen forms part of the wider West Coast Tasmania MTB network, alongside the Silver City trails at Zeehan and other adventure rides across the region. Its combination of mining history, barren rocky mountainsides and huge elevation makes Queenstown a completely different riding experience from Tasmania’s forest-based MTB destinations. RTS Tip: Don’t underestimate Mt Owen — the Upper Mountain trails are remote, exposed and physically demanding, and conditions can change incredibly quickly. Private vehicles cannot access the gated upper mountain road, so pre-book your shuttle if you want to ride from Owen Spur. Carry food, water, repair gear and extra clothing even when Queenstown’s weather looks good. If it’s your first visit, start on the Lower Mountain trails before stepping up to Waterfall, Chamouni or the harder backcountry descents.