Forrest Mountain Bike Trails
A network of over 50km of sustainable, cross-country mountain bike trails in the picturesque Otway Ranges near the small township of Forrest.
The trails showcase the natural beauty of the Otway Ranges, passing through tall Eucalypt forests, dry heathy scrub and dense fern gullies. Designed and built with real mountain bikers in mind, the trails offer experiences that will put a smile on the face of the most hardcore dirt fanatics.
The majority of the trails are purpose-built for mountain bikers, but there a small number of shared-use trails for walkers and mountain bikers. All trails are rated according to the International Mountain Biking Association trail classification system, with trails available for all ability levels. Most trails are designed to be ridden in one direction only.
The trails are clustered in three distinct areas: Yaugher Forest to the north, in and around Forrest, and Lake Elizabeth to the south-east.
Internationally recognised trail builder Glen Jacobs prepared the initial concept plan and has been involved in designing and building several of the trails. With input from Glen and the broader mountain bike community, the project team has succeeded in creating trails that challenge and excite and offer that most intangible quality of mountain bike singletrack - flow!
The trails are:
- Forrest loop 3km. The Forrest Town Loop is a dual use trail for walkers and cyclists of all abilities. It has long flowing corners that descend to the West Barwon valley and then climbs back to Forrest where it joins the Forrest Heritage Trail (Green easy level)
- Barlidjaru 6km. The local indigenous word for Platypus is Barlidjaru, (bar-lid-ja-ru). This trail links Forrest to Lake Elizabeth and climbs most of the way to the Lake Elizabeth carpark.You can leave your bike here and enjoy a walk to the Lake and maybe catch a glimpse of one of the lake's resident platypus (Blue intermediate level)
- Red Carpet 4.5km. The Red Carpet is a single track return trail from Lake Elizabeth. This trail flows through tall Eucalypt forests featuring fun, challenging descents and tight technical climbs for an exciting return option to Forrest (Blue intermediate level)
- Roller Coaster 2km. Connecting to the Forrest Mountain Bike Trails trailhead, Roller Coaster takes you on a wide, smooth and free flowing trail. With no obstacles it is ideal for beginners or a quick warm up lap before heading out on a more extended ride (Green easy level)
- Third time lucky 2km. Third Time Lucky has plenty of trail features including bermed corners and jumps. This is an excellent trail to learn the different skills needed for mountain biking while enjoying the thrilling sensation of riding through the bush (Blue intermediate level)
- Follow the dog 4.5km. This free flowing trail through tall open eucalypt forest and dense fern gullies offers extended riding with loads of trail features along the way. Long climbs and fast flowing descents characterise this exciting trail (Blue intermediate level)
- Yaugher Super Loop 11.5km. The Yaugher Super Loop provides access to the entire Yaugher trail network. It is a mixture of single track and fire trails with a full range of trail features all with A and B lines (Blue intermediate level)
- Grasstrees 1.5km. Grasstrees packs enough technical features and variety to challenge all riders. Extensive trail features include log rides, rollovers, step ups, drop offs, big 4X berms and jumps (Black difficult level)
- Marriners Run 4.5km. With long climbs and fast flowing descents, this trail will test your limits. The middle section has enough technical features to pack a punch for the most experienced rider (Black difficult level)
- Foxtail 3.5km. Long fast straights and open corners provide a fun flowing ride with well spaced technical features. This trail takes you from the Yaugher trailhead to Tabletop and on to join the Yaugher Super Loop (Blue intermediate level)
- J2 4km. Another long flowing descent trail from the Yaugher trailhead. This trail has plenty of features along the way and joins the Yaugher Super Loop for a quick lap (Blue intermediate level)
- Yo Yo 3km. A tight and technical trail that as the name suggests goes up and down to test your legs, lungs and skills (Black difficult level)
- Casper Black 5.5km. Twisting technical climbs and descents with walls of tea tree characterise this tough and challenging trail (Black difficult level)
- Barre Warre 2km. The Barwon River takes its name from the local indigenous word Barre Warre (Bar-rah War-rah) meaning from hills to sea. This high vantage point looks down on the Barwon River valley taking in the view back over the Forrest Township. A good warm up or warm down ride (Green easy level)
- Vista 5.5km. This long flowing trail has some great fire trail descents and climbs with rewarding valley views. The southern loop has some tough technical climbing thrown in for good measure (Blue intermediate level)
Trail Maps:
Forrest Mountain Bike Trail Map (Trailforks)
Forrest Mountain Bike Trail Map (visitotways.com)
Location
Birregurra-Forrest Road, Forrest 3236 Map
Web Links
→ www.rideforrest.com.au
→ Forrest Mountain Bike & Cycling Club on Facebook
→ Mountain Bike (MTB) Parks in Melbourne and Victoria
