The Piney

The Piney – Armidale State Forest The Piney is one of Armidale’s best-known mountain bike networks, tucked into Armidale State Forest just a few kilometres north of town. Developed and maintained with the support of New England Mountain Bikers (NEMTB), it has long been a staple of the New England MTB scene, offering a great mix of cross-country singletrack, rocky technical riding and fast forest trails. The riding has plenty of variety. Expect flowing pine-forest singletrack, roots, rock gardens, punchy climbs, bridges and technical trail features, with B-lines available around many of the harder obstacles. Trails such as Snakes n’ Ladders, Big Dog’s Den, Igor, Rooty Hill, Angry Eyes and The Fort give the network plenty of character. A traditional Piney loop is around 9–10km, although the broader mapped network contains considerably more trail, allowing riders to link different sections or knock out multiple laps. It’s predominantly XC and trail riding, with enough technical features to keep experienced riders entertained while still providing options for less confident riders. At more than 1,000m above sea level, Armidale brings its own flavour to the ride. Conditions can be noticeably cooler than surrounding lower-altitude areas, particularly through winter, while the pine forest, open sections and rocky terrain give The Piney a distinctive New England feel. The network has also hosted plenty of racing over the years, including NEMTB club events, endurance racing and the 2017 NSW XCO State Championships, giving The Piney a long connection with Armidale’s competitive MTB community. For riders searching for Armidale mountain bike trails, The Piney MTB, New England MTB, Armidale State Forest cycling or mountain biking in the New England High Country, this is an iconic local network worth knowing about. RTS Tip: Check the current trail status before riding. NEMTB currently warns of numerous fallen trees following high winds, with a number of trails closed, and recommends staying out of the forest during windy conditions. Some older sections have also been decommissioned following forest rehabilitation works, so don’t rely on historic routes or old ride files. Use current Trailforks status and NEMTB information to see exactly what is open before heading out.