Find your next ride.

The North-East Tasmania Rail Trail is a beautiful 26 km gravel cycling and walking trail from Scottsdale to Tulendeena at Billycock Hill, around 60 km north-east of Launceston. Following the former Launceston–Scottsdale railway corridor, the trail travels through rolling farmland, open bushland and increasingly dense forest, with spectacular fern-lined railway cuttings, old station sites and huge embankments providing reminders of the railway that once crossed this part of north-east Tasmania. The predominantly compacted gravel surface and gentle railway gradients make it suitable for mountain bikes, gravel bikes, hybrids, touring bikes, e-bikes and families. Starting at the old Scottsdale Railway Station, the first 10 km descends through farmland and bushland towards Tonganah, passing Lings Siding, crossing the Tasman Highway twice and eventually crossing the Great Forester River. Riders looking for a shorter trip can turn around at Tonganah for approximately 20 km return, while an even easier family option is the roughly 3 km ride from Scottsdale to Northeast Park. Beyond Tonganah, the character of the ride changes dramatically. The remaining 16 km climbs steadily towards Tulendeena and Billycock Hill, winding through tall forest, enormous tree ferns, deep railway cuttings and impressive embankments. Historic station sites at Trewalla, Kamona and Tulendeena have shelters where riders can stop along the way. At the trail's highest point there are views towards Bass Strait, and on a clear day it is even possible to see the peaks of Flinders Island. For riders wanting the scenery without the full climb, a great option is to arrange a drop-off at Tulendeena/Billycock Hill and ride approximately 16 km predominantly downhill to Tonganah. From Tulendeena, adventurous riders can also continue roughly 3.4 km down the steep gravel Snake Track to Legerwood, home to the town's famous carved memorial trees. The trail is also planned to become considerably longer. Stage 3 proposes another 40 km between Scottsdale and Lilydale Falls, which would create a continuous trail of around 66 km and include the remarkable approximately 700 m-long railway tunnel at Tunnel. As of 2026, that extension remains in planning and forms part of Dorset Council's broader proposed regional trail network. RTS Tip: If you're riding the full trail from Scottsdale, remember that the easy descent towards Tonganah is followed by a long, gradual 16 km climb to Billycock Hill — but you get a brilliant run back down on the return. There are no food services along the trail or at Tulendeena, so stock up in Scottsdale and carry enough water and food for your ride. For a shorter adventure, shuttle to Billycock Hill and enjoy the predominantly downhill ride through the fern-filled forest to Tonganah.

Recognised as one of only a handful of IMBA Epic rides in Australia, the Bay of Fires Epic is a true bucket-list mountain bike adventure. This spectacular 42km point-to-point trail begins high in the Blue Tier Forest Reserve and winds its way through ancient rainforest, towering tree ferns, granite boulder fields and open eucalypt forest before finishing on the brilliant white sands of Swimcart Beach at the world-famous Bay of Fires. The ride delivers an unforgettable mix of flowing singletrack, fast berms, technical features and rewarding climbs as the landscape continually transforms from cool mountain forest to coastal wilderness. Riders descend more than 600 metres in the opening section before tackling rolling backcountry terrain, with panoramic ocean views appearing as you approach the coast. Every kilometre offers something different, making it one of Australia's most scenic and rewarding mountain bike experiences. This is a remote backcountry trail with no services along the route, so riders should come well prepared with food, water and repair equipment. Most riders access the trail via a shuttle from St Helens or Derby, with transport available to the Blue Tier trailhead and collection at the finish. Ride Highlights 42km IMBA Epic point-to-point adventure. Ride from the mountains to the sea. Flowing singletrack, berms and technical features. Ancient rainforest, granite outcrops and coastal scenery. Finishes on the white sands of Swimcart Beach. Shuttle access available from St Helens and Derby. Suitability Mountain Bike Cross Country Trail Advanced Intermediate to Advanced Riders Good to Know Distance: 42km Difficulty: More Difficult Ride Time: Allow 4.5–6 hours. Facilities: No water or services on the trail. Carry supplies and let someone know your plans, as mobile reception is limited in places.

The Ben Lomond Gravel Climb is one of Tasmania’s most iconic cycling challenges, climbing deep into Ben Lomond National Park before tackling the spectacular switchbacks of Jacobs Ladder. From the turn onto Ben Lomond Road, riders face roughly 18km of predominantly gravel climbing, gaining more than 1,000m on the journey towards the alpine plateau. The finale is the unforgettable Jacobs Ladder — a steep, narrow series of switchbacks cut dramatically into the mountainside, with gradients pushing into double figures and huge views opening across north-east Tasmania. It’s a serious climb, but for experienced gravel riders it delivers one of the most memorable ascents in Australia. RTS Tip: Save something for Jacobs Ladder — the final switchbacks are the steepest and roughest part of the climb, and the descent demands just as much respect. Conditions can change rapidly at this elevation, so pack layers, check the weather and current park alerts before setting out. During snowy or icy conditions the access road can close without notice, making this one best planned around suitable conditions.

Blue Derby Mountain Bike Trails has transformed the former tin-mining town of Derby in north-east Tasmania into one of Australia’s premier mountain biking destinations. The wider network features more than 125km of purpose-built trails, weaving through spectacular temperate rainforest, giant ferns, granite boulders, rivers and old mining landscapes. The main Derby network alone has 35 purpose-built trails, ranging from family-friendly green runs such as Rapids and Lake Derby through flowing intermediate singletrack and iconic technical trails including Trouty, Detonate, Black Dragon and Kumma-Gutza. Add shuttle-accessed descents, huge rock slabs, jumps, berms and longer wilderness adventures like the Blue Tier and you’ve got a destination worthy of several days on the bike. Blue Derby has also hosted rounds of the Enduro World Cup, cementing its reputation on the international MTB stage. RTS Tip: Don’t try to squeeze Derby into a single day — stay a few nights and explore the network properly. The main Derby trails are free to ride year-round, with climbing trails providing access throughout the network or paid uplift shuttles available if you’d rather save your legs for the descents. If you’re planning to ride Blue Tier or Big Chook, check their status before travelling as these trails have an annual winter closure, generally from July until late September depending on conditions.

The Blue Tier is one of Tasmania’s iconic wilderness mountain bike rides and a must-do part of the wider Blue Derby experience. Starting high at Poimena, the 22km blue-rated one-way trail takes riders through a spectacular mix of sub-alpine terrain, giant granite boulders, crystal-clear streams and dark myrtle rainforest before descending towards Weldborough. While there’s plenty of descending, this isn’t simply a gravity run — expect pedalling and short climbs along the way as the trail follows a landscape shaped by Tasmania’s historic tin-mining era. Remote, beautiful and completely different to the trails closer to Derby, Blue Tier delivers a genuine backcountry adventure. RTS Tip: Organise your logistics before you ride. Blue Tier is one-way and remote, with very limited mobile reception, so pre-booking a shuttle to the Poimena trailhead is the easiest option. Carry food, water, spares and extra layers, and check the trail status before heading out. Blue Tier has an annual winter closure from July until around late September, with reopening dependent on conditions.

The St Helens Mountain Bike Trails on Tasmania’s spectacular East Coast are one of Australia’s premier mountain biking destinations, combining more than 66 km of stacked-loop riding near St Helens with the epic 42 km Bay of Fires Trail. The network has everything from easy family-friendly green trails to flowing blue singletrack, technical black descents and genuine wilderness adventure riding, all set amongst granite boulders, eucalyptus forest, fern-filled gullies and coastal landscapes. The main Flagstaff Trail Network, around five minutes south of St Helens, is the best place to start. Eight stacked loops radiate from a purpose-built trailhead, allowing riders to progressively increase both distance and difficulty. Green trails including Trailhead, Over There, Swell Done, Humpback, Eagle Eye and Pearla provide approachable riding, while Rock Lobster, Wedged In, Seeya Later and Old Salty Dog step things up with longer, faster and more technical terrain. Experienced riders can head higher onto Loila Tier, where trails such as Send Helens, Icarus, Shucka and Mack 10 deliver the network’s very difficult black-rated riding. These gravity-focused trails make use of the elevation above St Helens for faster descending, technical features and more demanding terrain. For riders wanting a longer challenge, Dreaming Pools provides a substantial 23 km intermediate adventure deeper into the landscape. The headline experience is the Bay of Fires Trail, a roughly 42 km point-to-point adventure beginning high on the Blue Tier and finishing at Swimcart Beach. Riders travel from sub-alpine terrain through huge granite formations, rainforest and eucalyptus forest before a long ridgeline descent towards the coast, eventually emerging onto the famous white sands and turquoise water of the Bay of Fires. It’s one of those rare MTB rides where the destination is every bit as impressive as the trail itself. St Helens is also designed as a genuine MTB destination rather than simply a collection of trails. The Flagstaff trailhead has parking, toilets, a bike-wash/hygiene station and shuttle drop-off facilities, while the 3.8 km Townlink allows riders to pedal between St Helens township and the trailhead. Blue Derby is around an hour away, making it easy to combine the two networks into an incredible North East Tasmania riding trip. RTS Tip: If it’s your first visit, give yourself more than one day. Start at Flagstaff and use the stacked loops to find your level before progressing onto the Loila Tier descents. Save Bay of Fires or Dreaming Pools for a dedicated adventure day — both take you farther from the trailhead and require more preparation than a normal bike-park lap. Carry food, water, tools and extra clothing, download your maps offline and check current trail conditions before setting out; mobile reception can be limited on parts of the network.

Just outside Launceston, Hollybank Reserve offers mountain biking through beautiful Tasmanian forest, with purpose-built trails winding beneath towering trees and through lush bushland. The network includes flowing singletrack, climbs, descents and technical features, with options that allow riders to put together anything from a quick spin to a longer trail session. Hollybank’s forest setting gives it a distinctly Tasmanian feel and makes it an easy MTB escape for riders staying in Launceston or exploring the wider north-east trail scene. RTS Tip: Hollybank can be a great addition to a north-east Tasmania MTB road trip, particularly if you’re travelling between Launceston and the bigger trail destinations further east. Check current trail conditions and closures before heading out, especially after wet weather, and choose trails that match your ability.

The Rocherlea Rail Trail, in Launceston, northern Tasmania, is an easy sealed cycling and walking trail connecting Rocherlea with Mowbray, with onward cycling connections towards Inveresk and central Launceston. The dedicated old-railway section is around 3–4 km one way, following part of the former Launceston–Scottsdale railway corridor behind the Mowbray Golf Course. Its sealed surface and relatively gentle gradient make it a good option for families, beginner cyclists, e-bikes, hybrids, mountain bikes and commuters looking for an easy bike ride in Launceston. Starting near Hume Street in Rocherlea, the trail heads south towards Mowbray through a mixture of suburban open space, sporting areas and former railway land. The Rocherlea end features several attractive railway cuttings and embankments, with the disused railway corridor running beside the trail and views opening towards Launceston. Riders can exit around Dover Street in Mowbray, which is a convenient turnaround point for a short approximately 6–8 km return ride. Riders wanting more distance can continue towards Inveresk and the Launceston CBD, although the connection isn't completely continuous. A missing link around the Mowbray racecourse means cyclists currently need to use local streets between sections of the trail. From the Vermont Road area, another sealed section continues towards Remount Road, with the route eventually joining a gravel path along the flood levee towards Inveresk. At Inveresk, riders arrive at one of Launceston's major cultural precincts, home to the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery and Launceston Tramway Museum. From here, the trail connects into Launceston's wider riverside and urban cycling network, making the Rocherlea Rail Trail useful not only as a standalone recreational ride but also as a north–south cycling connection into central Launceston. The trail also preserves part of Tasmania's railway history. The Launceston–Scottsdale railway opened in 1889, passing through Rocherlea as it travelled into north-east Tasmania. The line was later extended beyond Scottsdale, and after passenger services disappeared, it continued carrying freight including logs and woodchips. Freight operations ultimately ceased in 2005, leaving sections of the former corridor available for recreational trails. RTS Tip: For a simple family ride, stick to the sealed Rocherlea–Mowbray section and return the same way. If you're looking for more kilometres, continue towards Inveresk and Launceston, but download the route first — the racecourse creates a break in the old railway corridor and requires some local-street navigation. The trail is also a useful starting point for riders interested in exploring more of northern Tasmania's railway history, with the separate North-East Tasmania Rail Trail at Scottsdale following another section of the former Launceston–Scottsdale railway.