Nerina MTB Trails

The Nerrina MTB Trails, on the northern outskirts of Ballarat, Victoria, offer a compact network of old-school natural mountain biking through the historic Nerrina goldfields. The riding area contains roughly 6–7 km of mapped singletrack across around 10 trails, with a mixture of cross-country, trail and gravity-style riding. Unlike a manicured modern bike park, Nerrina is characterised by natural rocky terrain, old mining workings, short punchy climbs, rock gardens, drops, jumps and technical descents, making it a fun option for riders who enjoy raw, locally developed trails. Popular trails include Yarrowee Rock Run, Nuggety Dam, The Golden Mile, Kids Play, Big Kids Play, Gap Track, Rock Track and Off to Church. Difficulty ranges from easier riding around Nuggety Dam through to blue and black-diamond singletrack, with features including rock chutes, gap jumps and drops. The Golden Mile runs through remnants of Ballarat’s historic gold diggings, adding another layer of interest to the ride, although riders need to stay on the established line because old mine workings remain throughout the area. Nerrina also connects into the wider Ballarat trail network and Goldfields Track, opening up options for longer XC rides rather than simply lapping the local descents. It remains an active local riding area, with Ballarat’s Club MUD using Nerrina alongside Black Hill, Mt Clear and Creswick for its junior MTB riding program. RTS Tip: Nerrina is an unsanctioned trail network, so ride with extra care and understand that trails may not receive the same formal inspection, signage or maintenance as a managed bike park. Download a current map before heading out, watch carefully for historic mine workings and inspect unfamiliar jumps, drops and technical features before committing. For a bigger Ballarat MTB day, use Nerrina as part of a longer ride incorporating the Goldfields Track, or pair it with nearby Black Hill for more purpose-built XC and downhill riding.