Shepherds Hill

Shepherds Hill MTB Trails Shepherds Hill Recreation Park, around 11 km south of Adelaide’s CBD, packs an impressive amount of mountain biking into a relatively small suburban park. There are around 16 km of MTB trails, ranging from family-friendly green loops through to short, punchy cross-country riding and intermediate downhill trails. Expect rocky Adelaide foothills terrain, loose surfaces, tight corners, short steep climbs and fast descents, all amongst remnant grey box woodland with views across the Adelaide Plains and coastline. The network is particularly good for skills progression. Easier shared-use options include the River Red Gum Loop, Seaview Loop and Grey Box Loop, while riders wanting more challenge can tackle the Diagonal Ascent before dropping into the dedicated Intermediate Downhill. The official park map clearly separates shared-use trails from the dedicated MTB descent, making it easy to put together several different loops. At the Ayliffes Road entrance, riders will also find two excellent skills areas. The Kids Zone provides a safe, easy dirt area where younger and newer riders can practise bike handling, while The Bowl is a bikes-only pump and jump track with features suitable for different abilities. It makes Shepherds Hill especially good for families or riders wanting somewhere to session skills before heading onto the main trail network. Its location also makes Shepherds Hill part of a much bigger Adelaide foothills riding area. Nearby trail networks include Sturt Gorge/Craigburn Farm, Lynton Reserve, Randell Park and the wider City of Mitcham trails, giving experienced riders plenty of scope to incorporate Shepherds Hill into a longer MTB adventure. RTS Tip: Start at the Ayliffes Road trailhead with a few laps of the Kids Zone or The Bowl, then use the easier loops to warm up before tackling Diagonal Ascent and the Intermediate Downhill. Many of Shepherds Hill’s trails are shared with walkers, so keep speeds under control and give way appropriately. Also watch the Archery Club warning flags — there is no access through that area when the red flag is flying. The park closes on Catastrophic Fire Danger days and may also close on Extreme days, so check conditions before heading out.