National Arboretum MTB Trails

The National Arboretum Canberra, just 6 km from Canberra’s city centre, offers more than 20 km of multi-use cycling and walking tracks across its spectacular 250-hectare landscape. Rather than a traditional purpose-built MTB park, the Arboretum provides a mixture of unsealed tracks, management trails, shared-use paths and connecting singletrack, weaving between forests containing more than 40,000 rare, endangered and culturally significant trees. Rolling hills and some surprisingly steep gradients add a decent workout, while elevated sections provide brilliant views across Lake Burley Griffin, Canberra, Black Mountain and the surrounding ranges. One of the biggest attractions for mountain bikers is the Canberra Centenary Trail, which passes directly through the Arboretum as part of the section linking Black Mountain with Stromlo Forest Park. For cyclists, this section combines formed cycle paths, wide management trails and shared-use singletrack, with roots, rocks, logs and some short steep sections adding interest. The Centenary Trail is primarily maintained as a green/easy MTB route, making it suitable for riders with basic off-road skills, mountain bikes, e-MTBs and capable gravel bikes. Within the Arboretum itself, riders can explore the designated unsealed tracks and roads or use the area as part of a much larger Canberra MTB ride. The Bicentennial National Trail also passes through the site, while connections towards Stromlo Forest Park, Black Mountain and Stromlo Pines make the Arboretum an excellent link between some of Canberra’s major riding areas. The Arboretum is particularly good for riders looking for scenic, less-technical mountain biking close to central Canberra. You can combine forest tracks with climbs towards Dairy Farmers Hill, explore the southern forests or simply build your own loop through the designated cycling network before stopping at the Village Centre. RTS Tip: This is a shared-use trail network rather than a dedicated MTB park, so ride accordingly. Cyclists must give way to horses, walkers and runners, and there is a 10 km/h speed limit on shared tracks and trails. Download the Arboretum trail map before setting out and stick to designated cycling routes. For a bigger adventure, use the Canberra Centenary Trail to link the National Arboretum with Stromlo Forest Park and turn a relaxed forest ride into a much longer Canberra MTB mission.