Grade: S-X to M-XXX
Distance: mostly 20km to 40km
Road Conditions: Mostly on dirt and gravel fire trails and maintenance tracks, from smooth to very rough.
Route:Either follow the maps or check out one of the ride descriptions (and maps).
Map: Canberra Cycleways Map; 1:100 000 Topographic Map of the Australian Capital Territory (not really detailed enough); 1:25 000 Canberra, Cotter Dam, Bungendore; Some rides have route maps.
Starting Point:Just about anywhere in Canberra. The open areas have a multitude of access points - on most of the suburban streets next to the open areas little pathways between some of the residential blocks lead to the Parks.
Description:
Canberra is laid out in a distinctly different way to other Australian cities. It has been planned around four major 'town' centres with the residential suburbs built in a cellular fashion around these town centres. Interspersed between the built up areas is a series of linked open areas collectively called ' Canberra Nature Park' . For the most part these are the ridges or high ground between the suburbs; some of these areas are open paddocks while others are mature bush. Stromlo, Greenhills and Kowen pine forests are not part of Canberra Nature Park, but are more or less in the urban area. All of these areas are criss-crossed with a myriad of good tracks for mountain biking.
Getting There: Almost wherever you are in Canberra you are only just a few minutes' ride along the bicycle paths from some part of Canberra Nature Park. The pine forests are within half an hour's drive or ride from all suburbs.
Suggested Areas: Favourite areas include Mts Ainslie and Majura, Black Mountain, Mt Taylor and Stromlo and Kowen Pine Forests, but almost all parts of the Park are good for short mountain bike trips. Rides can be made between all the open areas with often only a small distance having to be covered on the road or the sealed bicycle paths.
Special Features: Excellent views of Canberra and surrounds from many of the hills. Paddocks choked with thousands of 'roos (on occasion!) on Mt Ainslie and Molonglo Gorge. Magnificent birdlife on Black Mountain. You can be riding in the 'bush' one minute and drinking coffee in a downtown cafe the next!
Land Tenure: Mostly public land managed by the Environment ACT or the Forestry Service. Parts of the open areas are rural leases which are fenced for grazing. All areas of Canberra Nature Park are accessible by the public.
Warnings: You have to share these areas with other users. The tracks are used extensively by walkers, joggers, and horse riders in addition to cyclists. In the forests you also have to contend with cars and trail bikes - take care! Follow the Mountain Bike Code, and don't ride in the pine forests when 'Forest Closed' signs are up (you could get run over by a rally car or a logging truck!)
More information about Canberra Nature Parks