Mountain bike trails in Australian Capital Territory

Bruce Ridge Nature Reserve is a 94-hectare bushland reserve just 5km from Canberra's CBD, offering around 14km of shared cross-country mountain bike trails through native woodland. The network provides fun, flowing riding while showcasing the reserve's rich biodiversity and natural beauty. The trails are the result of a collaboration between the ACT Parks and Conservation Service, Friends of Bruce Ridge, IMBA and the local riding community to create a sustainable trail network that protects sensitive flora, fauna and cultural heritage while providing a safe riding experience. As a protected nature reserve, riders are encouraged to stay on designated trails, respect wildlife and help preserve this unique urban riding destination.

The Canberra Centenary Trail is an epic shared-use loop showcasing the best of the Bush Capital, linking Canberra’s iconic landmarks with nature reserves, forests, rural landscapes and some brilliant off-road riding. The current Parks ACT route is 138km and is divided into seven sections, taking riders past places including Parliament House, Mount Ainslie, Mulligans Flat, Hall Village, Black Mountain, the National Arboretum, Stromlo Forest Park, Kambah Pool and Pine Island. Most of the cycling route is graded green and combines sealed cycle paths, gravel management trails and shared-use singletrack, while the Northern and Southern sections step up to blue intermediate terrain with steeper, rockier sections. Tackle a single section, link a few together or take on the entire loop over around three days for a proper Canberra bikepacking adventure. RTS Tip: Don’t feel like you need to smash out the whole loop — the seven sections make it easy to build a ride around your time and ability. A mountain bike or gravel bike is recommended, and downloading the official ride GPX and offline maps is worthwhile as signage is limited in some areas and mobile reception can be patchy. Carry plenty of water on the more remote sections and check Parks ACT alerts and fire conditions before setting out, particularly on the Northern Link.

Cotter Pines is the latest addition to riding in Canberra and is the result of a collaborative effort between the volunteer-based Kowalski Brothers Trailworks, Iconic Trails, and ACT Government Sport and Recreation. About half an hour from the centre of Canberra, Cotter Pines traverses a 360ha pine plantation, with nearly 19 trails and about 16km of singletrack. The network has a mix of old-school hand-built trails, with a smattering of tight twisty corners, and of course, some machine-built singletrack designed to be railed at speed. Be sure to stop at the Eagle Rock Lounge and take in the view of Stony Creek Reserve. There is a detailed trail map at the start of The Spine trail near the main carpark, and each trail is clearly signposted.

Majura Pines is one of Canberra’s classic mountain bike destinations, packing a great variety of riding into a compact trail network just minutes from the city. Purpose-built singletrack winds through the pine forest with everything from smooth, flowing trails and berms to jumps, technical features and more challenging descending. With trails catering for a range of abilities and plenty of options for linking together laps, Majura is equally suited to newer riders building confidence and experienced riders looking for a fast, fun session. RTS Tip: Majura is perfect for repeat laps, so use your first run to learn the trail and features before adding speed. The network is within a working pine plantation, meaning forestry operations can occasionally affect access — always check current trail closures and conditions before heading out.

Molonglo Pines and Zoo Pines form part of Canberra’s extensive collection of informal and established mountain bike riding areas, offering a mix of singletrack, fire trails and technical bush riding close to the city. The terrain delivers plenty of variety, with short climbs, flowing sections, rocky features and tighter trails that make the area fun to explore on an XC or trail bike. With multiple tracks and connections through the surrounding landscape, riders can piece together anything from a quick session to a longer exploratory ride. RTS Tip: Trail layouts and access around Molonglo and Zoo Pines can change, so don’t rely on an old route alone. Check the latest local trail information before riding, keep an eye out for closures or changed access, and download a current map if you’re planning to explore beyond the main trails.

The National Arboretum Canberra, just 6 km from Canberra’s city centre, offers more than 20 km of multi-use cycling and walking tracks across its spectacular 250-hectare landscape. Rather than a traditional purpose-built MTB park, the Arboretum provides a mixture of unsealed tracks, management trails, shared-use paths and connecting singletrack, weaving between forests containing more than 40,000 rare, endangered and culturally significant trees. Rolling hills and some surprisingly steep gradients add a decent workout, while elevated sections provide brilliant views across Lake Burley Griffin, Canberra, Black Mountain and the surrounding ranges. One of the biggest attractions for mountain bikers is the Canberra Centenary Trail, which passes directly through the Arboretum as part of the section linking Black Mountain with Stromlo Forest Park. For cyclists, this section combines formed cycle paths, wide management trails and shared-use singletrack, with roots, rocks, logs and some short steep sections adding interest. The Centenary Trail is primarily maintained as a green/easy MTB route, making it suitable for riders with basic off-road skills, mountain bikes, e-MTBs and capable gravel bikes. Within the Arboretum itself, riders can explore the designated unsealed tracks and roads or use the area as part of a much larger Canberra MTB ride. The Bicentennial National Trail also passes through the site, while connections towards Stromlo Forest Park, Black Mountain and Stromlo Pines make the Arboretum an excellent link between some of Canberra’s major riding areas. The Arboretum is particularly good for riders looking for scenic, less-technical mountain biking close to central Canberra. You can combine forest tracks with climbs towards Dairy Farmers Hill, explore the southern forests or simply build your own loop through the designated cycling network before stopping at the Village Centre. RTS Tip: This is a shared-use trail network rather than a dedicated MTB park, so ride accordingly. Cyclists must give way to horses, walkers and runners, and there is a 10 km/h speed limit on shared tracks and trails. Download the Arboretum trail map before setting out and stick to designated cycling routes. For a bigger adventure, use the Canberra Centenary Trail to link the National Arboretum with Stromlo Forest Park and turn a relaxed forest ride into a much longer Canberra MTB mission.

Sparrow Hill and East Kowen form one of Canberra’s largest and most rewarding mountain bike networks, with the two areas linked to create plenty of options for anything from a quick spin to a big day on the bike. Expect kilometres of purpose-built singletrack weaving through pine forest and native bush, with flowing sections, punchy climbs, technical features and fast descents. The extensive network means riders can build loops to suit their distance and ability, making it a favourite for XC and trail riders who enjoy covering ground and exploring. RTS Tip: With so many trail junctions and loop options, it’s worth having your route sorted before you roll out — especially if you’re linking Sparrow Hill and East Kowen into one longer ride. Forestry operations and events can also affect access, so check current trail conditions and closures before heading out.

Stromlo Forest Park is Canberra’s flagship mountain biking destination and one of Australia’s best-known purpose-built MTB parks. Located around 15 minutes from Canberra’s city centre, the 1,200-hectare multi-sport precinct offers more than 50km of professionally built and maintained mountain bike trails, catering for everyone from first-time riders through to experienced XC, enduro and downhill riders. The network has a huge variety of riding, with green, blue and black trails spread across Mount Stromlo. Expect flowing singletrack, technical rock features, berms, jumps, drops, natural obstacles and long descents, alongside dedicated climbing trails that allow riders to pedal their way back up for another run. Stromlo has a particularly strong cross-country heritage, having hosted the 2009 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships. Today there’s an extensive XC network where riders can link trails together into anything from a short beginner loop to a substantial ride around the mountain. Gravity riders are equally well catered for, with dedicated downhill and jump trails descending from the upper mountain. Popular trails across the wider network include Luge, Pork Barrel, Old Duffy Descent and Trebuchet, with everything from fast flow to serious technical terrain. Current Trailforks mapping shows more than 100 individual MTB trail sections across the broader park. One of Stromlo’s biggest advantages is the shuttle service, allowing riders to maximise their descending rather than climbing for every lap. The official shuttle currently operates Friday to Sunday, on public holidays and during ACT school holidays, generally taking riders to the top of the mountain every 40 minutes. There’s also plenty for riders developing their skills. Stromlo has the Evolution Coaching Trails, The Playground and a pump track, providing dedicated areas to practise cornering, jumping and technical features before taking those skills onto the mountain. Adaptive riders are well catered for too, with current mapping identifying more than 20 adaptive-accessible trail sections, adding to Stromlo’s appeal as a genuinely broad cycling destination. The main precinct includes parking, an event pavilion and nearby café/bar and bike hire, while the park also features a 1.2km criterium circuit and other cycling and recreation facilities. For riders searching for Stromlo MTB, Canberra mountain bike trails, Mount Stromlo MTB, downhill MTB Canberra or ACT mountain biking, this is the region’s must-know destination and easily worth building an entire day of riding around. RTS Tip: Stromlo is big enough that it pays to plan your ride around your ability and preferred style rather than trying to cover everything. Newer riders can stick to the green loops and progression areas, trail riders can build a big pedal-powered adventure, while gravity riders can grab a shuttle pass and concentrate on the descents. All designated MTB trails are one-way, and individual trails can close for maintenance, events or weather, so check the official trail status before riding.

Unsanctioned trails - Tuggeranong Pines offers a compact network of mountain bike trails in Canberra’s south, with purpose-built singletrack winding through the pine forest and surrounding terrain. The network packs plenty of variety into a relatively small area, with flowing sections, berms, climbs, technical features and faster descents making it a fun option for XC and trail riders. Its interconnected trails make it easy to string together different loops, session favourite sections or add extra laps for a longer ride. RTS Tip: Tuggeranong Pines is a great place to practise skills and repeat sections, so take an easier lap first and then build up your speed as you learn the trails. As the network sits within an active plantation area, forestry operations can affect trail access — check current closures and conditions before you ride.