If you’re after a punchy, technical mountain bike ride that doesn’t involve a long drive out of the city, the Hans Loop mtb trail and Candlebark Park in Templestowe are hard to beat. Sitting just north east of Melbourne’s CBD, this pocket of singletrack mixes tight, twisty, technical singletrack with sharp pinches and short flowy downhill sections. This has been a fan favourite for Melbourne’s mtb trail riders  for years. Ideal for those looking to sharpen their skills or squeeze in a quick hit during the week.
The Hans Loop are compact trails, but they pack in plenty of variety. These are classic handcut trails that have been established over many years. That have a distinct nod to the old school technical singletrack before the time of mtb trail building companies. Whether you ride them on their own or link them into a bigger day on the Yarra Trails, this is one of Melbourne’s better urban mtb riding zones — accessible, fun, and always rewarding.
Location & Access
Hans Loop is best access via the carpark under the Fitzsimmons Lane bridge, next to the Kayak slalom course. From here you can connect on the Main Yarra Trail bike path and find the singletrack feeding off.
To find the specific Hans Loop, apps such as Strava and Trailforks both feature this trail loop. As noted, this classic hand built trail has been here for many years, but there is no official signage or trail markers, so a few exploratory rides may be needed to work out the terrain.
Trail Overview
The trail offers a classic mtb riding experiences. Think early 90’s when trails were being built to a more XC style rider. Hans Loop is a compact, technical singletrack loop filled with switchbacks, short climbs, and a few slippery roots and loose rock to keep you on your toes. It’s the type of trail that rewards flow and finesse over brute strength.
At 4.5km in length, it’s perfect to cut a few laps and keep you tuned. You can ride it both clockwise or anti-clockwise (my preference is anti-clockwise), to mix it up and give you a different experience. There are also plenty of side trails and shortcuts to consider, when inside Candlebark Park.
Many riders often combine these trails with longer loops from the Yarra Trails via Wombat Bend and Westerfolds Park, through to Plenty Orchard and return, for a proper ride session.
The benefit of Melbourne’s MTB trails such as the Yarra Trails, Yarra Flats, Hans Loop (and many more) is that they can all be connected and linked via singletrack and the Main Yarra Trail bike path. Essentially following the Yarra River up stream. An excellent resource for Melbourne mountain bike riders =, particularly those that live within riding distance of the river.
Riding Hans Loop
Hans Loop is the star of the Candlebark Park trails. It can be ridden in either direction, flowing naturally through the bush with a rhythm that builds as you settle in. The narrow singletrack twists and dips through native trees, with a mix of short climbs, rooty corners and off-camber sections that require good bike handling. There’s no major elevation or big features (like jumps or proper berms), but the constant turning and gradient shifts keep it interesting.
A lap takes around 20 to 30 minutes, depending on your pace and riding ability. Many riders treat Hans Loop as a skills session or a set of interval efforts, knocking over two or three laps in under an hour.
Linking Routes & Ride Options
One of the best things about riding in this area is how easy it is to build ride combinations around your schedule. A short ride might simply be Candlebark Park and one lap of Hans Loop. If you’ve got more time, you can connect into the trails that run south into Westerfolds Park or North East towards Warrandyte. A well-planned loop can easily stretch out to 30 kilometres, making this ideal for everything from quick evening spins to longer weekend rides.
Facilities & Post-Ride Options
Facilities are simple but sufficient. There’s limited parking under the bridge of Fitzsimmons Lane, but you can seek out overflow parking in Westerfolds Park. There is also water available and toilets near the Westerfolds Park entrance, a couple of hundred metres form the Kayak carpark. The closest café is Yarra Organics in Petty Orchard, about a 5-10 minute ride from the start of Hans Loop, just off the Main Yarra Trail bike path.
Best Time to Ride
As with most riding, the best time to ride Hans Loop and Candlebark Park is during Melbourne’s spring and autumn months. The trails hold up well when dry but become a bit greasy and fragile after heavy rain. Weekday mornings and evenings are perfect for quiet laps, while weekends tend to see more foot traffic within Candlebark Park. Many local riders use Hans Loop for mid-week fitness sessions, squeezing in a couple of fast laps before or after work.
Final Thoughts
The Hans Loop mtb trail and Candlebark Park might not be big, but they punch well above their weight. Riding historic Melbourne mtb trails such as Hans Loop, shows how far we have come with access to larger networks, but also how lucky we are to still have these trails tolerated, despite their unsanctioned nature.
Together, they offer a tight mix of technical singletrack and mellow flow that’s hard to find this close to the city. Hans Loop challenges your handling and rewards smooth, efficient riding.
Whether you’ve got 30 minutes or half a day, this compact network fits around your schedule — and links with the wider Yarra Flats trails to build out something bigger. For Melbourne riders looking for a fast, accessible trail fix, it’s a classic for good reason.
Explore More MTB Trails Near Melbourne
If you’re exploring Melbourne’s MTB scene, here are a few nearby guides to keep the adventure rolling:
- A Guide to the Yarra Trails MTB Network – Melbourne’s best urban singletrack
- A Guide to the You Yangs MTB Trails – purpose-built flow an hour from the city
- A Guide to the Lysterfield MTB Trails – XC loops and lake views south-east of town
Trail Stats
- Location: Candlebark Park, Templestowe
- Trails: Hans Loop (technical) + Candlebark Park (flowy XC)
- Distance: 5–7 km
- Difficulty: Intermediate (Hans), Beginner–Intermediate (Candlebark Park)
- Ride time: 30–60 min
- Post-ride: Yarra Organics Café, Pettys Orchard
