Walcha Mountain Bike Trail

Just out of Walcha you’ll find a fantastic MTB park for all types of riders. This 9 km track makes good use of the natural terrain of the region. 

Find out more information here. 

Robbers Run MTB Trail

Just 15 minutes north of Armidale this is a great trail for experienced mountain bike riders. It’s a short, one-way, ‘gravity enduro’ flow down style of trail of about 2.3 km with a total elevation loss of 200m. 

This blue-square rated trail is for intermediate level riders, not recommended for novices.  Robbers Run has fast flowy sections, rocky descents, steep dips, doubles and jumps (all rollable) and tight twisty sections. 

Find out more here.

Ride to Dumaresq Dam

Distance: 14km
Elevation: 178m
Route map here.

An fun and easy ride out to Dumaresq Dam. The dam itself is very picturesque with kayaking, fishing and swimming all on offer. Or why not take a picnic and enjoy a lovely meal on the dam banks. 

Gostwyck Loop

Distance: 80km
Elevation: 770 m
Route map here. 

A lovely coffee ride on quiet, scenic and mostly sealed roads.  Invergowrie is the first town you’ll come across where there is a small shop selling coffee - highly recommended if you arrive once it opens. 

Bundarra Rd has some fast traffic and lacks a shoulder so we avoid it at the busiest times (~9 am or 5 pm).  There is a quieter/hillier alternative route via Booroolong Rd/Dumaresq Rd. Once off Bundarra Rd there is generally very little traffic and the route is very scenic. Thunderbolts Way has a great swooping downhill, which if taken at maximum speed can get you most of the way up the other side. 

Uralla has a great choice of cafes, so a stop is compulsory. Heading out of Uralla along Gostwyck Rd involves a little climbing before you are on a ridge with fabulous views. There is then a long descent down to Gostwyck Station and the picturesque Gostwyck Chapel, DRG woolshed. There is an ~8 km section of dirt along Gostwyck Rd/Mihi Rd. 

Armidale to Walcha via Gostwyck

Distance: 85km
Elevation: 840 m
Route Map Here. 

This route provides an alternative to Thunderbolts Way which is rather too narrow for the traffic it takes. This route is entirely on quiet roads although about 37 km is unsealed.

You’ll get to soak up the lovely scenic sites of the region including the rolling hills, the farmland and even some interesting wildlife along the way. 

Guyra, Ben Lomond, Glencoe, Mt Mitchell Loop

Distance: 94km
Elevation: 1120 m
Click here for route map.

This ride is nearly all on quiet roads except for a couple of short sections of shoulder along the New England highway both of which have a decent shoulder. There are significant unpaved sections which can be a bit rough, so best to be prepared and have the correct bike.

From Guyra to Llangothin following the old highway on the opposite side of the railway line gives an almost traffic free ride. The section of highway is less than 1 km and has a wide shoulder. The ride then turns onto another super quiet paved road to Ben Lomond. The village of Ben Lomond used to be a key rail hub but unfortunately it's now mostly a ghost town and its shop shut years ago. It does however have a picnic table and toilets.

Mt Mitchell Rd is sealed up to Mt Slow Rd turn off; then hard packed pretty good surface unsealed to Backwater. Take care on fairly steep descent into Backwater. Look out for the Backwater postoffice museum, just after the church. Continue taking Wards mistake Rd, Falconer Rd back to Guyra.

There are some more pleasant rest stops along the way.

Wollomombi Circuit

Distance: 104km (1 way)
Elevation: 1490 m
Click here for route map. 

This circuit from Armidale to Wollomombi Falls and back via Hillgrove and Bakers Creek Falls could be undertaken in one long day.  If you’re up for an adventure, you can even take your tent and camp out in the National Park too.  At the park you’ll get a chance to see squirrel gliders, squabbling possums, owls, wallabies, kangaroos, lyrebirds and more.  

Armidale to Kootingal Railway Station

Distance: 123km (1 way)
Elevation: 880 m
Click here for route map.

A thrilling but challenging ride. There are a number of good rest stops along the way, so best to make a day trip of it for sure. Please be sure to take plenty of water as there aren't many places along the route to fill up. 

Uralla, is a fantastic place to stop to refuel on your journey but there are a number of rest sites along the way too. This ride is full of spectacular views of Australian farming landscapes, rolling hills, rain forests and even some great waterholes where you can go swimming. 

New England Cycle Trail South

Distance: 359?km
Elevation: 1,394?m
Click here for route

Soak in the full sites of the Northern Tablelands on this 8 day cycling adventures. You'll get to experience NSW like never before and really experience the national parks, heritage buildings, rolling farmland and Australia's natural beauty.

Draft route for scenic, interesting, tourist level cycle trip from Armidale to Tamworth on quiet, mostly paved roads. There is some form of accommodation at the end of each stage.

Day 1 Armidale to Uralla 35 km 330 m ascent, all paved

Day 2. Uralla to Walcha 62 km 630 m ascent, 37 km gravel

Day 3. Walcha to Kootingal 69 km, 320 m ascent, 30 km gravel

Day 4. Kootingal to Dungowan 35 km, 160 m ascent, all paved.

Day 5 Dungowan to Nundle 36 km, 280 ascent, <10km gravel. Optional side trip up to Hanging rock lookout is fun and challenging.

Day 6. Nundle to Wallabadah 41 km, 400 m ascent all paved along Lindsey gap rd but there is an unpaved alternative along Old Wallabadah Rd.

Day 7. Wallabadah to Werris creek 35 km, paved

Day 8 Werris creek to Tamworth, 47 km paved