Find your next ride.

Bowden Spur Mountain Bike Area in Kinglake National Park is home to Shepherds Track, a purpose-built 2km downhill trail designed for experienced gravity riders. Dropping around 233m down the spur, Shepherds is rated Double Black Diamond and packs in steep gradients, dirt jumps, rock gardens, flowing berms, off-camber sections and technical rocky terrain. Built in 2012, it remains one of the more challenging downhill MTB experiences within easy reach of Melbourne. This is a dedicated downhill/enduro ride rather than a broader trail network, with vehicle access to the car park at the top of Bowden Spur allowing riders to organise shuttle runs. Parks Victoria recommends downhill or enduro bikes, along with a full-face helmet and body armour. RTS Tip: Shepherds is genuinely advanced terrain — this isn’t the place to progress onto your first black trail. Experienced riders should arrive with appropriate protective gear, plenty of water and a plan for getting back to the top. There’s no drinking water at the trail, and conditions can change quickly with weather, fire danger or maintenance, so check Parks Victoria updates before heading out.

Mount Lofty, rising above Adelaide in the Adelaide Hills, South Australia, offers a fantastic mix of mountain biking, shared-use trails and challenging road cycling within and around Cleland National Park. Rather than being a single MTB park, Mount Lofty forms part of a much larger network of fire tracks and designated cycling trails connecting Crafers, Cleland Wildlife Park, Chambers Gully and Mount Lofty Summit. Riders can expect sustained climbing, fast fire-road descents, natural surfaces, creek crossings, stringybark and blue gum forest and spectacular views across Adelaide and the surrounding Mount Lofty Ranges. Popular MTB options include the Crafers to Mount Lofty Link Trail, Wine Shanty Trail, Chambers Gully to Crafers Link, Measdays Loop and Adventure Loop. The Steub Trail provides a gentler 7 km return route between Cleland Wildlife Park and Mount Lofty Summit, while the 12 km one-way Chambers Gully to Crafers Link can be extended with a 2.6 km spur to the summit. Riders looking for a longer adventure can combine several of these shared-use trails into a substantial loop through Cleland National Park. Mount Lofty is also one of Adelaide’s iconic road cycling climbs. The Old Freeway/Crafers Bikeway provides roughly 9 km of climbing from near the Glen Osmond Tollgate towards Crafers, with riders able to continue to Mount Lofty Summit. The surrounding Adelaide Hills roads then open up numerous longer cycling routes through Stirling, Uraidla, Basket Range and Mount George. RTS Tip: Mount Lofty is a shared-trail riding area, not an unrestricted MTB network. Bikes are permitted on public roads and specifically designated cycling and shared-use tracks within Cleland National Park, while many of the famous walking trails are not open to bikes. Download the current Cleland bike trail map before riding and pay attention to signage. If you’re heading for the summit, be prepared for plenty of climbing — but the views across Adelaide make a pretty good reward.

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.

The St Andrews–Kinglake–Toolangi Gravel Loop is a challenging 90km gravel adventure north-east of Melbourne, combining big climbs, forest roads, rocky tracks and spectacular riding through the Kinglake and Toolangi ranges. Starting in St Andrews, the route wastes little time heading for the hills. Riders climb towards Kinglake through the surrounding ranges, with steep gradients and loose gravel making some sections a serious test of both fitness and traction. Once up high, the route travels through Kinglake before dropping towards Captains Creek Road and crossing into the Toolangi area. Here the landscape changes again as riders disappear beneath dense forest and tackle a mixture of smooth gravel, loose rock and punchy climbs. Marginal Road provides another sustained gravel climb before the route works its way through the beautiful Toolangi forest. Expect some rougher and rockier sections along the way, followed by rewarding descents as the ride eventually turns back towards St Andrews. With approximately 2,000m of climbing and almost 80% of the route unpaved, this is a substantial day on the bike. Most of the gravel is very rideable, but there are enough steep, loose and rocky sections to make wider tyres and confident off-road bike handling worthwhile. One of the best things about this ride is just how close it is to Melbourne. In around an hour from the city, riders can swap suburbia for dense forest, mountain views and some genuinely challenging gravel riding. For anyone searching for gravel rides near Melbourne, the St Andrews, Kinglake and Toolangi area is well worth exploring — and this loop brings some of its best terrain together into one seriously rewarding adventure. RTS Tip: Don't underestimate the climbing or remoteness of this ride. Carry plenty of food and water, as resupply opportunities are limited, and download your navigation before leaving. Wider gravel tyres are recommended for the loose and rocky sections. Check current forest access, weather, fire and road conditions before setting out, particularly following heavy rain.

Candlebark Park in Templestowe offers a compact network of legal mountain bike trails beside the Yarra River, providing an easily accessible taste of bush riding within Melbourne’s north-east. The natural-style singletrack winds through open woodland and riverside parkland, with a mix of flowing sections, short climbs, descents and technical features suited mainly to beginner and intermediate riders. Parks Victoria formally permits bikes on the designated Candlebark mountain bike trail network. The park connects directly with the Main Yarra Trail, making it easy to incorporate the MTB trails into a longer ride from Melbourne or link into the surrounding Yarra Valley cycling network. Nearby Westerfolds Park provides additional shared trails, toilets and drinking water. RTS Tip: Candlebark is best suited to riders looking for natural cross-country-style singletrack rather than a highly developed bike park. Stick to the designated bike-legal trails and consider using the Main Yarra Trail to ride in rather than drive. Plans are also underway to connect and upgrade the existing Candlebark trails with new MTB flow trails at neighbouring Fitzsimons Reserve.

You don't have to leave Melbourne behind to find a great gravel ride. Main Yarra Trail to Petty’s Orchard combines riverside paths, smooth gravel and quiet trails for an accessible cycling adventure along the Yarra River. Following the Main Yarra Trail through Melbourne's north-eastern suburbs, riders gradually leave the inner city behind as the landscape changes to river flats, parkland, bush and pockets of farmland around Templestowe. The gravel sections are generally smooth and non-technical, making this a great option for riders newer to gravel or anyone looking for a relaxed day on the bike rather than a technical off-road adventure. There are also plenty of opportunities to extend the ride or explore connecting trails along the way. A highlight is reaching Petty’s Orchard in Templestowe, approximately halfway around the popular 65km gravel loop. The historic orchard makes a perfect destination for a mid-ride break before turning back towards Melbourne. Depending on where you start and which connecting trails you choose, the ride can easily be shortened, extended or incorporated into a bigger loop. That flexibility makes the Main Yarra Trail one of Melbourne's easiest gateways into gravel riding. For riders searching for gravel cycling in Melbourne, this is a brilliant introduction — accessible from the city, relatively easy terrain and enough unsealed riding to get off the pavement without needing to head deep into regional Victoria. RTS Tip: There are plenty of variations and little gravel trails to discover along the Yarra, so don't feel you have to stick to one exact route. Ride The State will continue adding individual Melbourne gravel rides over time. Until then, use the mapping link to plan your preferred route to Petty’s Orchard and remember the Main Yarra Trail is shared with walkers, runners and other riders.

Plenty Gorge MTB Trails, in Plenty Gorge Park in Melbourne’s north-east, offer a huge network of old-school cross-country mountain biking along the steep-sided Plenty River gorge. The local Plenty Gorge MTB Club describes more than 130 km of trails spread across the 1,350-hectare park, with the riding characterised by tight natural singletrack, roots, rocks, logs, creek crossings, short punchy climbs and technical descents. The gorge provides far more elevation than you might expect this close to suburban Melbourne, making Plenty Gorge a favourite for XC and trail riders who enjoy natural, technical terrain. The network stretches for roughly 11 km along the Plenty River, with trails weaving through grassy woodland, river flats, gullies and rocky ridgelines. Popular riding areas are concentrated around Yellow Gum Recreation Area and Goldsworthy Lane, with longer routes taking riders towards Blue Lake and through the wider Plenty Gorge Park. Rather than neatly defined bike-park loops, there are countless interconnected lines, making it possible to build anything from a quick after-work ride to a challenging 20 km-plus MTB loop. Plenty Gorge is best suited to intermediate and advanced riders. The local club specifically notes that there are no green trails in the Gorge, with typical riding involving roots, rocks, logs and steep sections. Even relatively short rides can accumulate plenty of climbing because the trails repeatedly drop into and climb out of the gorge — as the locals put it, there aren't many flat trails here. An important change is underway at Plenty Gorge. Much of the network has historically consisted of informal trails, but Plenty Gorge MTB Club and Parks Victoria are working together to formalise a sustainable MTB network. The current project is focused around the area known as “The Tank” on Goldsworthy Lane, with funding secured for approximately 21 km of formal mountain bike trails that will ultimately be assessed, signposted and maintained. RTS Tip: Plenty Gorge is famous for being a maze, so downloading a current trail map before you ride is highly recommended. Better still, the Plenty Gorge MTB Club runs regular social rides with experienced local ride leaders — a great way to learn the network. Start around Yellow Gum/Goldsworthy Lane, expect plenty of short climbing and technical natural singletrack, and carry water and basic repair gear. With the formalisation project continuing, stick to recognised trails and check current access information rather than relying on an old GPS route.