Explore Snowy Mountain Bike Region Trails

MOUNTAIN bike riders love the Snowy Mountains for the variety of trails across the region and its mixed terrain to suit all levels. And the beauty of this time of year, the autumn season o ers the perfect weather to get out onto the trail.

Thredbo Gravity Trails

Thredbo have all your gravity trails covered, where lifts whisk you to the top of the mountain and you cruise down on the network of trails. While it is all downhill in theory, there is still pedalling required, and the thrill of negotiating the numerous gravity trail options a huge attraction.

Arrive on a weekend at Thredbo and you could see thousands of riders, all kitted out in their armour protection ready to roll. And don’t for one minute think it is just the younger brigade wanting to show their bravado. No, all ages love the gravity trails, and it’s a real family a air.

THREDBO VALLEY TRACK - TVT

The Thredbo Valley Track (TVT), the signature cross-country trail that starts in Thredbo and weaves its way to Lake Crackenback Resort, and then further onto Jindabyne, is popular for countless reasons.

The flowing picturesque 17km upper TVT crosses the Thredbo River five times via scenic steel suspension bridges. The predominately single track o ers riders of all levels hours of enjoyment.

The lower 18km TVT is a much harder trail, and you should be aware that there are only two exit points, the start and the finish. While there are more technical sections, some people have opted to walk any steep rocky declines and then proceed. For the advanced mountain bike enthusiast this is a great trail ending at the Gaden Trout Hatchery near Jindabyne. There are shuttle bus options available at Thredbo, Lake Crackenback Resort and Snow Connect (ph 0455 577 478) operates shuttles to all areas from Jindabyne if you want to leave the car at home.

Lake Crackenback Resort

Home to the Snowies Mt Bike Festival in early February, riders have great options from within the resort where you will find 18km of scenic single track trails.

The resort is also the launchpad for easy access to link up with the Thredbo Valley Track, and is the ideal halfway stopping point on the TVT. With bike hire at the activities centre, it’s very easy to hire and ride within minutes with perfect terrain for those looking to have a cruise. The trails on the south side of the Thredbo River, and out to the camping grounds o er cruisy riding.

JINDABYNE

Jindabyne riders have always had great a ection for the Mill Creek and Tyrolean trails which can be accessed from town via Banjo Paterson Crescent. The Jindabyne Trail Stewardship are the predominant custodians of the trails where working groups attend to any maintenance, and they have paid workers keeping trails and its surrounds in good order.

The first section out to the Jindabyne dam wall has a series of small climbs and switchbacks, and once over the dam wall you are into bushland where you have numerous choices of green, blue and black trails with scenic views over the lake and town.

Currently in Jindabyne high water levels are impacting the lake foreshore path, and the Hatchery Bay trail. These trails which are well suited to lower end and intermediate riders will be back for next summer once the lake levels reside.

Cooma Mt Gladstone

Mountain bike enthusiasts have realised any visit to the area deserves a stop at Mt Gladstone mountain bike park on the outskirts of Cooma where you find gravity and cross-country trails.

The beauty of Mt Gladstone riding is easy access for car shu e or make use of the Snowy MTB Shuttles (0437 402 800) to loop from the bottom of the trails back to the top.

Starting from the lookout riders will find several blue intermediate trails, plus black advanced options. On the lower sections there are great green crosscountry trails. The enthusiastic work of the Snowy Mountains MTB Club develop and maintain the trails in good order, and you can support the club by purchasing supporter packs.

Tumbarumba

Great news recently out of Tumbarumba is they have started building their mountain bike park after the community purchased the land with the assistance of businesses and a charity fundraiser.

Headed by the Cycle Tumbarumba Club, the community raised more than their $235,000 target to purchase the land plus combined with grant money for infrastructure enabled the project to start. Renowned trail builders Craig Stonestreet from Natural Trails and Craig Meinicke from Blue Sky Trails have been tasked with the build.

The Tumut MTB Park o ers a variety of trails that weave through native bushland of the Tumut State Forrest and o er stunning views from its high vantage point overlooking the Tumut Valley. With over 20km of single track trails there is a mix for all levels.

The trails are located near the centre of town o Sydney Street near the golf course. The MTB park also play host to the annual Tumut MTB 3 Hour Enduro each May, with details found on the Tumut MTB Facebook page. There are also numerous fire trails around the Tumut region for those looking to explore.