Smiths Gully MTB Park

Smiths Gully MTB Park, around 40 km north-east of Melbourne in Victoria’s Nillumbik region, is an expansive network of natural mountain bike trails spread through the steep bushland and reserves surrounding Smiths Gully. Current mapping shows around 26 MTB trails and more than 40 km of riding, with the network focused primarily on cross-country and trail riding, plus several faster enduro-style descents. Unlike a manicured trail centre, Smiths Gully has a distinctly old-school, natural character with hardpack dirt, loose rock, roots, tight trees, steep hills and plenty of punchy climbing. Popular trails include Midden, Orchid, Marsben, Buldwij Trail, Ridge Road, Goat Track Descent and Boomers Drop In. Midden delivers tight switchbacks and fast XC sections broken up by short climbs, while Ridge Road feels more like an enduro stage with tight trees and fast descending. Boomers Drop In is another favourite, combining flowing high-speed sections, sweeping corners and steeper chutes. There’s plenty here for riders wanting a substantial workout. A popular Smiths Gully Short Loop is around 10 km with roughly 190 m of climbing, while the much bigger Tough Smiths Loop stretches to approximately 43 km with more than 800 m of climbing, linking many of the network’s best-known trails into a serious day out. A traditional starting point is the Smiths Gully General Store, with another common access point at Smiths Gully MTB Car Park on Clintons Road. The General Store makes a particularly handy base for a ride, with food and coffee available before or afterwards. The network is best suited to intermediate riders, particularly those who enjoy exploratory XC rather than clearly defined bike-park loops. Many trails are shared with walkers and horse riders, so speeds need to be controlled around blind corners and other trail users given plenty of room. RTS Tip: Smiths Gully is a maze of interconnected natural trails, so download a current map before setting out — it’s very easy to turn a planned quick lap into a much bigger ride. Start with the Short Loop from the General Store to get a feel for the terrain, then add trails such as Midden, Ridge Road and Boomers Drop In if you want more. Expect steep climbs and loose hardpack, particularly in dry weather, and be careful not to stray into nearby conservation areas where bicycles are prohibited.