Find your next ride.

The Alice Springs Trail Network is a huge collection of hand-built desert singletrack spreading out from town into the spectacular landscapes of the Red Centre. With trails accessible directly from Alice Springs, riders can explore everything from smooth beginner-friendly loops to flowing cross-country singletrack and seriously technical rocky terrain. The network is split broadly between the Eastside and Westside trails, with key access points including the Alice Springs Telegraph Station, Lovegrove, Gosse and Kurrajong trailheads. Expect classic Central Australian riding — rocky ridgelines, technical climbs and descents, fast hard-packed singletrack and incredible views across the surrounding ranges. Trails cover a wide range of difficulties, with highlights including Arrwe, Eastside Trail, Apwelantye, Aherre, Road Train, Skyline, Hell Line and Bob Gnarly. Rust-coloured trail markers and signed trailheads help with navigation, while the network’s proximity to town makes it easy to put together anything from a quick morning loop to a much bigger desert adventure. RTS Tip: Alice Springs might be close to town, but once you’re out on the trails it can feel surprisingly remote. Carry plenty of water, food, tools and spares, particularly if you’re heading onto the longer Westside trails. For newer riders, the Eastside Trail from the Telegraph Station is a great introduction; experienced riders have a huge range of blue, black and extremely difficult trails to explore. Grab the official NT Government trail map before heading out and consider downloading Trailforks for navigation.

Dalgety Road Velodrome is an outdoor cycling track in Alice Springs, offering riders a dedicated track cycling facility right in the heart of Australia’s Red Centre. The velodrome features a 333-metre concrete track with banked corners, providing a very different riding experience to the modern 250m indoor velodromes found in larger Australian cities. The venue has a long connection with track cycling in Central Australia, having been used for club racing, training and competitive events over the years. Its longer outdoor layout provides plenty of space for riders to build speed, practise track skills and experience one of the Northern Territory’s dedicated cycling facilities. Alice Springs is famous for its mountain biking, but Dalgety Road adds another side to the region’s cycling story, making it a worthwhile addition for riders interested in velodromes, track cycling and unique cycling facilities around Australia. RTS Tip: This is a dedicated velodrome rather than a general recreational cycleway, so don’t assume you can simply roll onto the track at any time. Check current access, club sessions and any requirements before heading out. At approximately 333m per lap, it’s also longer than the standard 250m indoor velodrome — perfect for ticking off a very different kind of ride in the Red Centre.

he Red Centre is an unforgettable 1,027 km bikepacking expedition through the heart of Australia's Outback, featuring 76% unsealed roads and tracks across two spectacular loops starting and finishing in Alice Springs (Mparntwe). Designed as a 14-day adventure, the route traverses the ancient West and East MacDonnell Ranges, taking riders through rugged mountain ranges, remote desert plains, rocky gorges, dry riverbeds and culturally significant Aboriginal sites including Simpsons Gap, Standley Chasm, Trephina Gorge and N'Dhala Gorge. Expect quiet gravel roads, 4WD tracks, sandy sections and a small amount of singletrack, with over 4,800 metres of climbing and a strong focus on self-sufficiency. Best ridden between May and August, this is a true wilderness bikepacking journey requiring careful planning, the ability to carry several days of food and water, and an appreciation for one of Australia's most iconic and remote landscapes.

West MacDonnell Backroads – Red Centre Gravel Cycling The West MacDonnell Ranges west of Alice Springs offer an incredible backdrop for gravel and adventure cycling, with desert roads, remote backcountry tracks and huge Central Australian landscapes creating a riding experience unlike almost anywhere else in Australia. Known as Tjoritja / West MacDonnell National Park, the ranges stretch west from Alice Springs through ancient rocky country dotted with spectacular gorges, waterholes and towering red escarpments. For cyclists, the adventure isn't about one defined gravel route. Instead, the wider West MacDonnell and Red Centre backroads provide opportunities to link quiet roads, dirt tracks and remote outback routes into anything from a day ride to a serious multi-day bikepacking journey. Close to Alice Springs, riders can start with the dedicated Simpsons Gap Bicycle Path, a sealed off-road cycling route running approximately 17km from near Flynn's Grave to Simpsons Gap. From there, experienced adventure riders can look further afield towards the network of roads and permitted tracks surrounding the ranges. For those chasing something much bigger, the wider Red Centre also forms part of established long-distance bikepacking routes combining gravel roads, 4WD tracks, sandy riverbeds and remote outback riding. The landscape is the real highlight. Expect red quartzite ranges rising sharply from the desert, river red gums lining normally dry creek beds, huge skies and some spectacular Central Australian sunsets. This is also Arrernte Country, and riders should respect the cultural significance of the landscape, follow access requirements and stay on roads and tracks where cycling is permitted. RTS Tip: Don't assume every track shown on a map through the West MacDonnell Ranges is open to bikes. Some routes are walking-only, culturally sensitive, restricted or require permits. Remote Central Australian riding also requires serious preparation. Water can be extremely limited, mobile reception is unreliable and temperatures can be extreme. Check current NT Parks, road, weather and access information, carry offline navigation and appropriate emergency communication, and plan water and resupply carefully. Ride The State will work on adding suitable West MacDonnell and Red Centre cycling routes as individual Ride Cards over time. Until then, use official access information and verified mapping when planning your adventure.

The Araluen MTB Trails sit on the western side of Alice Springs, offering more than 15km of dedicated mountain bike singletrack alongside an extensive network of fire trails stretching towards the West MacDonnell Ranges. Expect classic Red Centre riding with rocky desert terrain, technical features, rock gardens, punchy climbs and flowing sections, all surrounded by spectacular views across the ranges. The network offers options for newer riders while still providing plenty of technical challenges for experienced mountain bikers. Araluen forms part of the wider Alice Springs mountain bike network, making it easy to link into a much bigger day of riding. The westside trails are particularly known for their more technical character and panoramic desert scenery, with signed routes helping riders navigate the network. RTS Tip: Central Australian riding can be rocky, exposed and tougher than the distance suggests, so carry plenty of water, food, tools and spares even on shorter rides. The cooler months are the most comfortable time to explore, and downloading the official Alice Springs MTB map or Trailforks before setting out will make navigating the wider network much easier.

The Simpsons Gap Bicycle Path is a scenic 17km sealed cycling trail running from opposite Flynn’s Grave to Simpsons Gap in Tjoritja / West MacDonnell National Park. The gently undulating path winds through classic Central Australian desert country, with views across the MacDonnell Ranges and surrounding rocky hills, mulga, witchetty bush and river red gum country. Four rest areas along the route provide places to stop and take in the landscape, with interpretive signs highlighting the area’s plants, wildlife and geology. The path connects with Alice Springs’ town cycling network, with Flynn’s Grave around 7km by bike from central Alice Springs, making it possible to ride all the way from town. Ride the path one-way for 17km, return for a 34km outing from Flynn’s Grave, or extend from Alice Springs for a bigger Red Centre adventure. RTS Tip: The cooler months from April to September are the best time to ride, and early mornings are a good option as temperatures rise. Carry plenty of water, snacks and puncture-repair gear, and stay on the sealed path — the surrounding desert vegetation can quickly cause punctures. Mobile coverage is also limited along the route, so download your map before setting off. Visitors to the NT require an NT Parks Visitor Pass.

Tjoritja / West MacDonnell National Park stretches west from Alice Springs through some of Central Australia’s most spectacular landscapes, with ancient red ranges, rocky escarpments, river red gums and desert country creating an incredible backdrop for riding. For cyclists, the standout experience is the Simpsons Gap Bicycle Path, a sealed 17km one-way trail running from opposite Flynn’s Grave to Simpsons Gap beneath the West MacDonnell Ranges. The gently undulating route passes through mulga, witchetty bush and river red gum country, with rest areas and interpretive signs along the way. The path connects with Alice Springs’ cycling network, making it possible to ride from the centre of town for a roughly 50km return adventure. Tjoritja itself extends for around 161km and includes iconic destinations such as Simpsons Gap, Ellery Creek Big Hole, Ormiston Gorge, the Ochre Pits and Redbank Gorge, making it well worth exploring beyond the bike ride. The landscape is culturally significant to the Arrernte people, and riders should stay on designated cycling routes and respect all cultural and environmental restrictions. RTS Tip: The Simpsons Gap Bicycle Path is the designated cycling experience within the national park and is a brilliant option if you want to experience the West Macs by bike without technical terrain. Carry plenty of water, food and basic repair gear, as mobile coverage is limited and conditions can be hot and exposed. The cooler months from April to September are the best time to ride, and visitors to the NT require an NT Parks Visitor Pass.