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Coondoo MTB Trails, around 15 minutes south of Nowra, are a much-loved cross-country network managed and maintained by South Coast United Mountain Bikers (SCUM). The main network offers a diverse 10km XC loop with several configurations and shorter options, combining fast, flowing singletrack with jumps, berms, bridges, drops, step-ups and rocky technical sections. While there’s not a huge amount of elevation, Coondoo keeps you working with plenty of pedalling and a mix of A and B lines to suit different abilities. Beside the main trailhead there’s also a 1km skills circuit and dirt pump track, featuring skinnies, rock gardens, wall rides, bridges and drops, making it a great spot for progression as well as a solid XC session. RTS Tip: Coondoo is a great choice for riders stepping into more technical XC riding — use the B-lines where available and session the skills area before heading onto the main loop. Check SCUM’s trail status on Facebook or Instagram before riding, particularly after rain, and bring your own water and supplies as there are no toilets, running water or bins at the trail network.

Knapsack MTB Trails – Glenbrook Knapsack Reserve is one of the Lower Blue Mountains’ key sanctioned mountain bike areas, sitting at Glenbrook/Lapstone on the eastern escarpment. The reserve combines purpose-built MTB singletrack and a dedicated downhill trail (Stringline Knapsack DH) with historic fire trails and old railway infrastructure, all within easy reach of Western Sydney. Ride Blue Mountains describes Knapsack as having the longest sanctioned MTB trail and the only sanctioned downhill trail in the Blue Mountains. The riding has a distinctly old-school Blue Mountains character. Expect sandstone, rocks, roots, tight natural singletrack, technical sections and plenty of elevation change as trails work their way down the escarpment. The downhill trail provides the more gravity-focused option, while the surrounding trails allow riders to put together shorter XC and trail-style sessions. One of the great things about Knapsack is the setting. The reserve contains remnants of the historic Lapstone Zig Zag railway, including cuttings and the spectacular sandstone Knapsack Viaduct, built in 1867 as part of the original railway crossing of the Blue Mountains. This gives the area a mix of MTB, bushland and railway history that’s pretty unique. Knapsack is also brilliantly positioned for a bigger day on the bike. Nearby Glenbrook provides access to the famous Woodford–Oaks Trail, including its purpose-built technical singletrack section, while Bennetts Ridge and other authorised riding in the Glenbrook area provide plenty of opportunities to extend the adventure. The main reserve access is from Barnet Street, Glenbrook, and the location is relatively easy to reach from Glenbrook and Lapstone stations. For riders searching for Knapsack MTB, Glenbrook mountain bike trails, Blue Mountains MTB, downhill mountain biking near Sydney or mountain biking in the Lower Blue Mountains, Knapsack is an important local network to have on the ride list. RTS Tip: Knapsack is one where current mapping is worth having with you. Ride Blue Mountains notes that signage can be poor and the return route from the downhill trail isn’t particularly obvious until you know the network. There are also many unsanctioned trails elsewhere in the Blue Mountains, so stick to the recognised Knapsack trails rather than assuming every piece of visible singletrack is legitimate.

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.