How good is the mountain biking in Beechworth, with the Indigo Epic Trail being one of the great destination trails in North East Victoria. It has everything you need in a trail, cementing its ‘Epic’ trail status. However the beauty of this trail is the ability to carve off sections if you do not want to smash yourself on a full day ride and do Beechworth loops or a point-to-point from Beechworth to Yackandandah.
The full trail is 56 kilometres of purpose-built singletrack looped between Beechworth and Yackandandah, with this epic rated trail delivering one of Victoria’s most impressive mountain bike experiences — a journey through native bushland, old goldfields, and purpose built singletrack.
From the same trails builders (Trailscapes) that brought you trails such as Shred Kelly’s in Bright, the Indigo Epic definitely has similarities – fast in sections, flowy with jumps and side hits, scattered throughout.
And while it has these features, the terrain is accessible enough to be ridden by a wide range of riders – from early intermediates through to advanced riders.
That was certainly evident from a recent visit, where the town had significant numbers of mountain bike visitors. Groups of riders from families, groups and crews riding the epic trail and enjoying one of the great North East Victorian towns.
Trail Overview
The Indigo Epic Trail officially connects the historic towns of Beechworth and Yackandandah through 56 kilometres of flowing singletrack. Built to IMBA standards as part of their nominated Epic trail parameters, it’s a blue-rated, intermediate trail that caters to a wide range of riders — from fit weekend warriors, cross-country explorers, and emtb enthusiasts.
- Distance: 56 km (Full Loop)
- Difficulty: Intermediate (Blue)
- Ride (moving) Time: 3.5–5 hours, depending on pace and fitness
- Trail Type: Double Loop singletrack. You can ride the full loop, point-to-point or Town based loops from either Beechworth or Yackandandah (shuttle or car drop-off recommended)
The design of the trail is based on a ‘double helix’ enabling you to break the full route up into various sections. The epic trails is also built to accommodate all-weather conditions. It’s rideable in all seasons, even after heavy rain — a rarity for Victorian trails. Although keep an eye out for local facebook groups and on-trail signage, for track conditions and possible closures (eg fallen trees, branches etc).
Starting from Beechworth
For Beechworth-based riders, the obvious starting point is the Beechworth epic trailhead, just minutes from town, next to the Lake Sambell Caravan Park at the end of Wallace St. Here you can see the large trailhead sign, next to the suspension bridge over the Silver Creek.
The early kilometres are a mix of rideable climbs and rewarding descents, offering plenty of rhythm as you head towards Yackandandah. This section captures what makes the Indigo Epic MTB trail so special: fast singletrack, berms and jumps with A and B line options.
Trail Highlights Along the Way
Flow and Scenery Combined
The fast downhill flow sections on the from Beechworth towards the Yackandandah tracks is some of the best riding going around. It’s fast, fun, well-built and feels like it just keeps on going – a real pleasure to ride.
A Ride Through History
What sets the Indigo Epic apart from other trails in the region is its deep connection to the area’s gold mining history. You’ll ride past old diggings, water races, and relics of the 1850s Gold Rush, all subtly integrated into the trail corridor — a genuine sense of place that few mountain bike trails offer.
Arriving in Yackandandah
The final descent into Yackandandah combines some old school technical riding with plenty of berms to help the descent. is one of the best moments on the Indigo Epic Trail. The last 6–8 kilometres deliver fast, technical lines that gradually unwind as you reach the Yack Gate Rd and then along the creek and into town
Once you hit the end of the trail, it’s time for a post-ride reward — and Yackandandah delivers. Grab a beer at the newly renovated Yack Hotel, a coffee from Two Sisters or one of the best pies going around at Gum Tree Pies, before you think about heading back to Beechworth. Plenty of other options as well.
If you’ve organised a shuttle, this is your pickup point. Otherwise, you can choose to make the return journey the hard way — riding back to Beechworth for a full 56 km return loop.
Planning Your Ride
Access and Shuttles
The Indigo Epic Trail is easily accessed from either Beechworth or Yackandandah. For most riders, the Beechworth-to-Yack direction is preferred due to the net elevation drop.
Local shuttle providers, including The Bike Hire Company offer convenient one-way transfers between the towns.
Navigation
The trail is clearly signposted from start to finish, with distinctive Indigo Epic logos at intersections and directional to either towards Yackandandah or Beechworth. For GPS navigation, download the Indigo Epic Trail map from Trailforks or the Ride High Country website.
Facilities
- Bike wash – There appears to be a bike wash station in the rear carpark of Bridge Road Brewers, Beechworth
- Food in Beechworth – You can’t go wrong with a stop at:
- Recovery – Try Stillwater Sauna on Lake Sambell
Best Time to Ride
While the trail can be ridden year-round, autumn and spring offer ideal conditions — mild temperatures, dry dirt, and vibrant bushland colours. Summer rides can be hot, so start early and carry extra hydration.
Where to Stay
If you’re based in Beechworth, you’ve already got the perfect launch pad. The town has a growing list of MTB-friendly accommodation options including self-contained cottages, boutique hotels, and local lodges that cater specifically to riders. Many offer secure bike storage and easy access to both the Indigo Epic and Beechworth Mountain Bike Park.
See below a map of Beechworth accommodation options:
Alternatively, Yackandandah also has several excellent guesthouses and caravan park options — great if you want to base yourself near the trail’s finish for a more relaxed post-ride setup.
See below a map of Yackandandah accommodation options
To make the most of your weekend, consider combining the Indigo Epic Trail with rides at the Beechworth MTB Park or the Yack Tracks. Together, they make for an solid High Country mountain biking itinerary.
Final Thoughts: Beechworth’s Trail Legacy
The Indigo Epic Trail has added another must-ride trail in Victoria’s High Country. It links two of the region’s most character-rich towns with a singletrack that embodies everything we love about riding — flow, challenge, scenery, and great hospitality.
You can ride this from start to finish (full loop) or arrange for shuttles to carve out some very fun laps of the trail’s flow downhill sections.
There is an opportunity to capitilise on this, with additional flow trails that could be shuttle assisted and/or linked to the Indigo Epic. This expansion, in addition to the Beechworth Mountain Bike Park and Indigo Epic, could create a next level cycle tourism destination – similar to Bright, Victoria or Derby in Tasmania.
For visitors, it’s worth travelling for. The combination of the Indigo Epic, Beechworth MTB Park, and Yackandandah Trails makes this part of the High Country, one of Australia’s best all-round mountain bike destinations.
So, whether you’re chasing endurance km’s, flowy descents, or just a weekend of pure riding fun — the Indigo Epic Trail delivers it all.
