Nerang National Park

Nerang National Park MTB Trails Nerang National Park on the Gold Coast, Queensland, is one of South East Queensland’s best-known mountain biking destinations, offering 20 officially designated MTB trails covering around 34 km, plus an extensive network of shared management trails. Just inland from the Gold Coast and around 12 km from Surfers Paradise, the network winds through open eucalypt forest, casuarina groves and pockets of dry rainforest, with riding ranging from easy beginner loops through to fast, rocky and highly technical black-diamond terrain. Beginners can start on trails such as Training Wheels, Casuarina Grove Circuit, Goanna and Goanna Loop, while intermediate riders have a huge selection including Petes, Rocky Horror, Three Hills, Happy Valley, Wombats, Baileys, Elevator and Explosions. Expect plenty of classic Nerang riding along the way — natural rock, creek crossings, punchy climbs, fast flowing sections, rock gardens, log drops and technical corners. One of Nerang’s biggest claims to fame is its connection with the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games. Three difficult one-way trails — GC2018 Loop 1, Loop 2 and Loop 3 — were purpose-built for the Games and designed to challenge world-class XC riders. Loop 1 incorporates jump-style features, Loop 2 tests technical climbing and fitness, while Loop 3 combines climbing with a fast descent packed with humps, jumps and berms. Experienced riders can also tackle Taipan, a difficult one-way high-speed descent featuring rock slabs, jumps and other technical features. The combination of purpose-built singletrack, old-school natural riding and shared trails makes Nerang particularly good for riders who want to build their own longer Gold Coast MTB loop rather than simply repeat a handful of bike-park descents. The park is also important wildlife habitat, with riders potentially spotting koalas, glossy black-cockatoos, echidnas and other native wildlife while exploring the forest. RTS Tip: Download the official Nerang National Park MTB map before you ride — some trails are one-way while others are two-way, and the shared trails are also used by walkers and horse riders. MTB riders must give way to both walkers and horses on shared trails. Avoid riding during or immediately after heavy rain, stay on the 20 sanctioned MTB trails, and if you’re new to Nerang, start around Casuarina Grove and Goanna before progressing towards Three Hills and the much harder GC2018 and Taipan trails.