Trails from the Boneyards

LET’S take a look at one of the Sunny Coast’s less known and less used trail networks, The Boneyards. A handfull of rough and raw trails that have been hand built by a small group of talented trail fairies over the past 10 years. Named so because it lies in the bushland behind the Mooloolah cemetery. This place doesn’t get a lot of use, likely because it is quite tricky to navigate due to its labyrinth of old logging & firetrails. These trails have been built with shovels and picks so the foot prints are quite small and tight, weaving around trees, over logs and rocks etc to make best use of the environment with as little damage as possible. There are very few of the jumps, berms and flow found in modern trail networks that are all being homogenised into high speed flow trails with earthmoving equipment. Now don’t get me wrong, I like jumps & flow, but I also like tight & technical, and this is what you will find at Boneys.

There are a couple of access points. We usually park near Corbould park raceway, the other is to park at the Ferny Forest trail head. Its been a year or so since we were here so we are a little excited to see if we can discover some of the new trails heard about on the grapevine. For this reason we are both on E-bikes enabling a little more adventurous exploring.

First trail is Bee Hive, a mix of tight and open trail that will keep you guessing as to what’s around the next corner, very typical of most of the trail here. Then it’s down a bit of firetrail to find the climb to Side Winder, Pete’s & Climbit Change. This climb is aptly named Toughen Up and we are pleased to be on our Levos. It finishes with a couple of very tight switchbacks that will catch a lot out. Our first descent is a ripper, Sidewinder, with some very committing drop ins, it loops back to the bottom of Toughen Up for another go at those tight switchbacks you dabbled on.

The condition of the trails is pretty good, especially considering their un-officialness & lack of ownership. There are some deep ruts and washouts and the occasional tree across, so ride with caution. The lower trails Congo, Amazon & Daintree Dreaming are all tight and windy and live up to their picturesque names. They are low so hold lots of water, so no go in the wet. All these trails will keep you guessing and thinking fast, old school mountain biking to the max. Boneyard trails are definitely not beginner friendly but with care and some local guidance they can be enjoyed by most intermediate riders. Ferny Forest is a 10km machine-built loop that is very beginner friendly and a great place to build skills and fitness.

See you on the trails! Andy FlanaganMountain Biker, Adventurer & Senior Mechanic Spoke’n Trail