Off the Beaten Track

Kyogle and its villages have a huge amount to offer cyclists of all ages and abilities. Along with the Kyogle Mountain Bike Forest offering some of the best trails in NSW, the Kyogle area also enjoys a unique combination of peaceful rural roads, stunning landscapes and welcoming country communities. All of these attributes combine to create cycling adventures that are challenging, rewarding, enriching and, most of all, unforgettable. A ride around Kyogle can traverse rich alluvial flats covered in swaying crops or dotted with inquisitive cows, sharp volcanic ridges striking hundreds of meters into the sky or ancient rainforests ringing with bird calls. Best of all, whether the ride tests your skills on the trails of the Mountain Bike Forest or challenges your endurance climbing a rainforest ridge, at the end of the day the effort will be rewarded with a smile, a cold beverage and a hearty meal in a genuine country village. THE BORDER RANGES RIDE – GRADE 5: This ride will test the rider’s strength and endurance. Starting with a gently sloping ride north of Kyogle, then climbing to over 1100 meters above sea level, this ride traverses the renowned Border Ranges National Park and returns via the quaint hamlet of Cawongla. Take the time to look over Wollumbin from the stunning Pinnacle Lookout, then reward yourself with a cold drink and a wood-fired pizza at the heritagelisted Cawongla Store and Gallery. https://ridewithgps.com/routes/49901

THE TOONUMBAR DAM CIRCUIT – GRADE 3:

A quintessential rural ride, this route heads west out of Kyogle, over the testing Ettrick Range, through beautiful Ghinni Ghi to Toonumbar Dam and then returns via the green flats of Eden Creek and Wyneden. https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29608275

GRANDE TOUR DE BONALBO – GRADE 3:

A three-day ride for those who want to experience a great cycling adventure, striking scenery and the best of country hospitality. Climbing through Ettrick Range west to Toonumbar National Park, over 450 meters in elevation over Peacock Creek to beautiful Bonalbo where a well earned rest awaits. Back in the saddle for day two, the route winds through Old Bonalbo, past the striking Bean Creek Falls, then through the giant tree trunks of Yabbra National Park to Urbenville, where a tasty lunch awaits. Wind up the valley to Woodenbong – the jewel of the Border Ranges – to rest weary legs and prepare for the final day which will glide down the range, passing by Mount Lindesay, Old Grevillia, Grevillia and Wiangaree back to Kyogle where the journey first began. https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29608464

The Kyogle Mountain Bike Park is gaining a reputation as a great place to kick up some dirt. The park offers fun, flowing trails on rich, dark loam soil just minutes from the centre of Kyogle in peaceful Boorabee State Forest. The trails are suitable for all levels of rider ability with green- and blue-level gravity and climbing trails plus a black-grade jumps trail for experienced air junkies, and it’s all free. All the trails at Kyogle MTB Park end near the same central location; trails are arranged so that the easier trails are near the gate, and the harder tracks are further away so riders can progress through the park as their skills develop. The central hub means riders with different levels of skill can enjoy the park together as they can choose a trail that suits their skills and meet up with other members of their party at the hub. Local rider Fiona Kerwin says it’s a friendly place to ride. “We will say hello and are always happy to ride along with others and show them around the park. The best part about the park, apart from the amazing flowing trails, is the unique central hub where all the trails finish ensuring you will generally meet up with other riders, plus it is basically impossible to get lost!” In 2021 the Kyogle MTB Park will host numerous events including Round 2 of the Borderline Enduro Series in March, North Coast Schools Championships and a round of the North Coast Enduro Series in June. In addition to the racing there will be trail building workshops around April and shuttle days throughout the year. For more information: www.mtbkyogle.com