The Plenty Gorge MTB trails are almost a hidden gem in Melbourne’s north. With a network of trails crisscrossing the park, and limited signage, it is easy to get lost, or an opportunity to explore!
The trails have been built here for many years, and definitely have the hand cut, grassroots vibe about them.
In recent years a local club has been formed and is working with Parks Vic to sanction a number of these trails to make it easier to navigate, to enjoy the park, with quality trails.
Set in the Plenty Gorge Parklands, there is a lot of trail here, with some impressive technical singletrack amongst the river, lake and bushland of the park.
There are some impressive view and vistas that is surprising being this close to the city and plenty of wildlife to see on your journey.
Overview of Plenty Gorge MTB Park
Plenty Gorge MTB park is located about 20km north of central Melbourne and surrounded by the suburbs of Bundoora, Watsonia North, Plenty, South Morang and Mill Park.
There are a couple of carparks that can be used for riders. The Goldsworthy Lane car park (Plenty Gorge Upper Car park), near the water tank, is a good option to access various trails. The other option is Yellow Gum Picnic Area, which has toilets and BBQ facilities.
The parkland centres on the Plenty River, which has cut through the landscape, to provide deep gullies and ridges to ride along. Expect some climbing and steep pinches scattered throughout the network.
With improved trail building and some signage, the Plenty Gorge MTB park has grown significantly in popularity, with carparks generally full on the weekend.
Top Plenty Gorge Mountain Bike Trails
The trail network is largely a network of intermediate and advanced trails, with a small collection of beginner level trails.
Its easy to get lost as there are multiple trails that cross each other and the club and Parks Vic are still working through signage and mapping of the park.
To get a good loop, you will ride various trails of different levels and linking them up, throughout the park.
Beginner Trails
There are a couple of Beginner trails, although Blue sections or fire road that need to be ridden, to access.
Mr. Lincoln’s Twisty Trail
Easy, twisty singletrack that you enter from the Fire Rd, near the Water Tank carpark. At the end, jump straight into ess’s Track, which is an easy blue.
Rusty Tin Track
Another graded Green run near the water tank that can be linked with Twisty Trail and Jess’s Track to make up a beginner loop. The trail drops in elevation for a beginner downhill experience.
Intermediate Trails
These trails make up the bulk of the network and can be linked with green and black trails, to make multiple loops.
Tight and twisty, hand cut, old school is definitely the flavor of these trails.
Ozymandias
Head down the River Ave road from the water tank car park and take the green run ‘Twist & Shout’ to connect with Ozymandias. This flowy trail has a couple of short climbs, but nothing too taxing. . This trail connects with ‘Gorgeous George’.
Gorgeous George
Gorgeous George follows the Plenty River and you’ll experience flowy, but tight singletrack. This trail is part of multiple loops that have been created in the likes of trailforks or Strava, for an extended ride.
Advanced Trails
While these are listed as advanced on various mapping platforms, they are more like technical blue runs.
Goat Track
One of the original trails, it is tight with ridge exposure, that captures the feel of the mtb trail network. Rocky and dry, the trail takes you through to a jumps section, where kids are launching off kickers and tabletops.
Long and Winding
A classic Plenty Gorge trail that descends down to the river, with technical section, sharp pinches and rocky, loose descents. At the end is a river crossing which connects into Ozymandias.
Planning Your Mountain Biking Trip to Plenty Gorge
The great part about Plenty Gorge or the Norge (North Plenty Gorge) is how accessible it is for Melbourne riders. It you live on the city fringe and north of the city, the trails are easy to get to.
As noted, the park has multiple car parking locations around the park. Park in side streets, that border the park, for quick access.
These legacy trails are going through the process of being sanctioned. It is easy to get lost or confused, as to which trail to take.
Best to dip in and explore in sections or hook up with a number of the different MTB clubs who run social rides throughout the year.
Mapping apps such as trailforks and Strava can help you to follow and link up trails for longer, pre-ridden loops.
Autumn & Spring are prime times to ride the park, as the rocky and dry terrain can be brutal during Summer.
Given the old school nature of the trails and trailhead setup, it is wise to have hydration & trail snacks available.
Post-Ride Activities
There are multiple options around the park, with a couple of standouts.
Near the Goldsworthy Car park
Solid coffee and food spot on the eastside of the park, in Plenty.
Uni Hill an DFO in Bundoora
Multiple options here for food, coffee and bakeries.
Final Thoughts on Riding Plenty Gorge MTB Park
Old school, rocky and technical as well as a high chance of getting lost, but oh so good. The Plenty Gorge MTB trails are a hidden gem for Melbourne mtb trail riders.
As more trails get sanctioned and signage & mapping is sorted, these trails will increase in popularity. This is evident with their recent popularity, which will increase as way finding becomes easier.
With multiple entrance points, the Plenty Gorge trails really do support the idea that the park welcomes all users.
These trails are not as polished as networks such as the You Yangs or Lysterfield. However they do offer good singletrack alternatives, close to the city.
Check out the local club – Plenty Gorge MTB Club for further details.
A great location for intermediate to advanced riders; Plenty Gorge is a worthy location to put on your ride list.
