Wednesday, October 4, 2017
Check out these South-West mountain biking adventures
If you’re stuck in an office all day, sometimes there’s nothing better than getting out and about on your mountain bike.
The sport is huge in the South-West and several mountain bike trails have been developed over the years. Here are some of the best.
The Pines Mountain Bike Trail
This Margaret River mountain bike trail is popular with kids and families because it has the look and feel of a big park. Here’s what the experts at TrailsWA have to say about the track: “Most climbing happens on the forestry roads between trails and at the top you can catch your breath before blasting down the next trail. There isn’t much of a height drop in this area, meaning you’ll still have to pedal — but with all the berms in the area you won’t be touching your brakes much.”
The Pines, Margaret River. Image by Tim Campbell.
Middle Earth
With its evocative, Lord-of-the-Rings-inspired name, it’s no surprise to find Middle Earth at Metricup is a hilly, forested, meandering trail. It’s also a long journey — 25 km of trails, with log jumps, creek crossings and earth jumps (and hopefully no Orcs). When you’re done on the bike, check out the nearby Beer Farm. Metricup is a short drive inland from Gracetown.
Dunsborough Country Club Trail
You either have to be a member of the Dunsborough Country Club or buy a permit to use this track, which runs through the bush between the fairways of the Dunsborough Golf Course. Great for people of varying abilities, this trail also has some fun obstacles, jumps and berms, and a dual-slalom section. Permits are only $5 for five days and are available from the clubhouse on Gifford Road. While you’re in the area, check out the Brown Street trail, right next door. You can reach both trails by bike from Nikabel Beach House and Beach Box.
Exploring trails near Dunsborough
Boranup Forest Ride
The South-West’s magnificent Karri trees have become a major drawcard for tourists in recent decades, so what could be better than getting in amongst them on your bike? Hailed as one of “the prettiest rides in the region”, the Boranup Forest Ride in the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park is a 24 km track, with a total elevation gain of up to 300 metres. Boranup is on the coast between Margaret River and Augusta.
Find out about some other great trails here. Or you can get more advice (and maps, equipment and bike servicing) from the Hairy Marron Café in Margaret River — it’s a café especially for mountain bike riders!
Cape to Cape MTB Race, near Cape Leeuwin, Margaret River
Cape to Cape
Not a single trail but rather a race, the Cape to Cape takes place in the South-West every year in October. The event really put mountain biking in the South-West on the map and is now the biggest multi-stage mountain bike race in Australia.
Celebrating its 10-year milestone in 2017, the Cape to Cape is renowned among riders for its beautiful scenery, as the race snakes down hills with stunning ocean views and wildflowers in full bloom.
This year each stage is a loop course, making getting around super easy for competitors, with the starting line close to Margaret River.
Make the most of your trip to the South-West
After you’ve spent the day twisting and turning through the epic rides down south, you’ll need somewhere comfortable to unwind — perhaps with an ocean or forest view — to recover and get you ready to do it all over again in the morning.
Why not take a look at some of these magnificent homes available exclusively through Private Properties?
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