Best mountain biking trails in Western Australia

The majority of the best riding in WA is centred around Perth and the state's South-West region. Unlike many other states' neatly sectioned off parks and reserves (which there still are plenty of, by the way), Western Australia features a lot of very long-distance trails that travel in a straight line rather than in loops. This means things get a bit fuzzy in terms of where to recommend starting out for a day of biking, but honestly, you can't go wrong with anything south or east of the state's capital.

Image: Tourism Australia

Kalamunda Mountain Bike Park (All Abilities) 

With its 40km-odd network of trails, Kalamunda forms part of an absolute spider's web of mountain bike routes in the Darling Scarp region, just east of Perth. With over 100 individual trails in Kalamunda alone (if you count access tracks), the network is the biggest and most popular in WA, and caters to riders of all skill levels. Cross country singletrack is the flavour here, but there's tons of great purpose-built features to spice things up. YHA Fremantle Prison is just a quick car trip away, so it'll make sense to grab a room if you also want to see Perth. 

Mt Lennard Trails aka Pile Rd (Intermediate)

Not far from Bunbury, just south of Perth, Mt Lennard (known locally as Pile Rd) is a 34km network of trails with an emphases on moderately demanding singetrack. The trails in the area are notorious for their pea gravel surface, which can prove a real challenge to riders who aren't used to it, and with only one proper green run, beginners might not have the best time. Trails are very well signposted, though.

Margaret River area (All Abilities)

In terms of thrills per sqm, Margaret River definitely takes the cake. The broader trail network encompasses a series of smaller trail conglomerates mashed together, including The Pines, Compartment 10, Middle Earth, the Creek Trails and more. These tightly packed areas are filled with technical playgrounds featuring constructed berms, jumps and high-speed flow sections. To a certain kind of rider, this will be absolute heaven, but less confident riders should stick to the mellow cross country routes issuing from the main park - the 10 Mile Brook Trail and Wadandi Track. Nearby YHA Margaret River is a great pick to bunk at for when your legs grow weary.

Munda Biddi Trail (Easy*)

We weren't kidding when we said that WA featured some absolute marathon unsealed rides. The Munda Biddi Trail is a goliath of a track that stretches from Mundaring to Albany - an INSANE 1050km all up that makes it the longest continuous bike trail on Earth. Realistically, the vast majority of sane mountain bikers will pick and choose the stretches they ride (not all of it is dedicated MTB singletrack), but the whole thing is well maintained and signposted. 

*But potentially gruelling

Dwelingup area (Easy/Intermediate)

In a fairly new development, the areas around Dwelingup including Murray Valley, Marrinup and Turner Hill have seen construction of a bunch of new biking-friendly areas. Totalling over 40km (so far) you'll find dedicated singletrack trails in abundance, catering for a good mix of skill levels. Keep an eye out for the awesome boardwalk and log structures that add flavour to the runs. 

Dunsborough Mountain Bike Park (Easy/Intermediate)

Situated conveniently close to YHA Dunsborough, where you'll no doubt already be staying, Dunsborough Mountain Bike Park is another of the gems of the greater Margaret River region. Though there's only 21km of trail in total, what's here is very dense and there's lots of beginner-friendly areas. The terrain is nothing excentional, but it's all very well maintained. Be aware that there's a $5 fee to get in, though.

Karratha MTB Trail Network (Easy/Intermediate)

If you're getting sick of the comparatively lush landscape of the South-West, Karratha (in the dry Pilbara region) should be just the ticket. This is REAL Australia, with more in common with Alice Springs than Perth, at least in terms of landscape. Right next to the town of Karratha itself, an absolutely vast swathe of mostly flat trails criss crosses the arid scrubland. There's nothing too taxing in terms of obstacles, but you'll want to be fit - the amount of ground you'll cover is significant and you should expect heat.

Honourable Mentions:

Wellington National Park, Murrin Murrin, Welli Mills, Linga Longa & Surrounds, Pemberton.

Be Prepared!

• Make sure you know how to tweak your seat, handlebars etc, and make basic repairs to the bike. Always bring a pump and mini repair kit.
• Bring plenty of food and water, as well as some emergency cash. You may well be out of mobile range, so make sure you have what you need to take care of yourself.
• You're in Australia - don't let it put you off, but there's a good chance you'll encounter snakes somewhere in the bushland you'll be riding in. Know the types to look out for in the area, and make sure you have an evacuation plan just in case!

Useful Links:

This website is an absolute goldmine for finding places to ride anywhere in Australia, with community reviews and condition reports.

Check out our other articles featuring outdoor adventures you can have down under!