The first things that strikes you, as start riding at Buxton mountain bike park is the beauty of this place. These trails are cut into some very impressive country.
Plenty of roots, ferns and the unmistakable Australian bush sound of the Eastern whipbirds, calling out.
Relatively easy to get to, the Buxton mtb trails are about 1hr and 40 minutes from central Melbourne, via Healesville.
The trail network consist of 23 Km of mainly blue graded trails, that are cleverly connected to the Acheron Ridge trail that surrounds the park. Allowing you to dip in and out of trails, as it funnels you back to the main trailhead.
Why Ride at Buxton Mountain Bike Park
The standout of these trails vs other Melbourne based mtb trails (e.g. Plenty Gorge, Yarra Trails) is that they are professionally built; using techniques that make it feel relatively easier on the uphill and flowy on the downhill.
The bulk of the trails are XC in style, with a flow downhill trail included in the mix.
Well-signed and mapped, newcomers can easily turn up to the trailhead and feel confident that they can get around the park, without the need to double check maps and apps.
And the trails are fun to ride. You get this fern wonderland with clay soil, that snakes its way to the top of the hill, before funneling you down. With side trail excursions to explore.
Exploring the Buxton Mountain Bike Trails
The trail network has been designed to cater to all riders, from short beginner loops, longer intermediate trails and a specifically crafted downhill flow trail.
If you are a rider that can ride most things, then Buxton will be very manageable for you.
Buxton MTB – Acheron Ridge Trail
The Acheron Ridge trail is the thread at the mtb park that keeps it all together. The trail surrounds the park and starts and ends at the trailhead. It is a well-built XC trail, which has that ability to feel easy enough on the uphill, while navigating the slippery roots and switchbacks.
As you ride this ‘ring road’ style trail, you can then dip into additional loops, shortcuts and connecting trail sections. All these additional trails eventually bring you back to the Acheron loop and back to the car park.
Buxton MTB Park – Off Camber and Snakes & Ladders Trails
A selection of short, fast sections, interspersed with berms. Followed by gradual climbing back to the Acheron trail. From the description of others, these trails were listed as some of the best. While they had some fast, flow sections, they are still XC style trails and was left wanting more, before being corralled into the uphill.
At the end of the Snakes & Ladders trails, you sit back on top of the rise and prepare for the final third of the Acheron trail. This is the most fun Blue section, at the park. Fast berms, kickers and solid trail design, reminiscent of Mystic at Bright or the Epic Trail at Beechworth.
Although short lived, it was a great way to finish this Acheron Ridge trail at the park, and end up at the carpark.
Buxton MTB Park – Cathedral Trail
An addition to the original mtb park trails is the Cathedral trail. This section of the park was built by renowned trail builder Trailscapes and is described as a flow trail.
Starting with a gradual climb, the trail descends into jumps, berms and log jumps, weaving its way through the ferns.
The gap jumps and more difficult features have both A and B lines, to assist riders progressing their skills, on this Black rated trail.
Buxton Mountain Bike Park: Trail Map and Navigation
The mountain bike is super easy to navigate and find your way. The trailhead features a large map to give you an overall view.
The trail is then signed with clear trail markers and periodically with a small map of the overall park. Ideal to get your bearings for those not following a map or app.
As mention, the trail network has this ‘ring road’ approach; with the signature Acheron Ridge trail circling the park and various trails looping and cutting off it.
This makes it very easy to navigate, knowing you are going to get back on this man trail or all trails funneling you towards the trailhead & car park.
You can click here for a copy of the Buxton MTB Park Map.
Post Ride Activities at Buxton
Well Buxton is a pretty sleepy town and not a lot is going on, however you can get some food and drinks from the two service stations in town.
Igloo Roadhouse is an old school petrol station, general store and surprisingly, a burger place. For those old enough, the burgers here are the classic Australian style, which you got in the 80’s and 90’s, from the local take away.
We selected the more basic ‘Cheese Burger’, which also came with beetroot and tomato, and was perfect after a session, at the park.
Returning to Melbourne, there are plenty of options in Healesville to stop at. If a roadhouse burger is not your vibe. In Healesville you have pubs, winery restaurants, breweries, bakeries and four pillars gin, to cover all bases.
Final Thoughts on Riding at Buxton Mountain Bike Park
These trails here are very good and would probably rate these higher than other mtb trails in Melbourne. I believe the riding experience here is better than the likes of You Yangs, Lysterfield and Plenty Gorge.
This speaks to the quality of the trail building, great signage and the structure of the trail network. The location of the park with its stunning ferns and rainforest like landscape, only adds to its mystique.
It’s heavy on the XC trail experience, and is worth the additional travel beyond Healesville. It also includes the impressive Black Spur Road, to get here. Top it off with a burger at Igloo Roadhouse, and you have got yourself a pretty good mtb road trip.
