The bikes are loaded and the post-ride beers are chilling, where to head first? Check out our insider list of the best mountain bike trails on the Sunshine Coast!

 

We acknowledge that these adventures are located on the traditional Country of the Kabi Kabi people who have occupied and cared for the lands, waters, and their inhabitants for thousands of years. We pay our respects to them as the Traditional Custodians and recognise that sovereignty was never ceded.

 

With the Sunshine Coast named as the destination for mountain biking in the 2032 Olympic Games, it’s clearly the place to be when it comes to chunky tyres, flat handlebars, and pedal-powered off-road mountain biking adventures.

Offering a whole range of riding options from less technical, open fire trails through towering forests; to fast, flowy singletracks – take your pick of the trails depending on your vibe or your skill level. As a Sunny Coast local, I’ve chosen my top five tracks, and the nearest breweries and bakeries for your post-ride refreshments.

Jump to Section

1. Tewantin National Park, Mountain Bike Trails

Where: Tewantin National Park, Mountain Bike Trails
Difficulty: Beginner – Advanced
Best for: Switchback climbs and flowy descents

Located just on the edge of Noosa, Wooroi Trail in Tewantin National Park is a sweet mix of smooth climbs and fast, flowy descents, and is ​​arguably the local’s favourite.

As soon as you pull up into the day use area you’ll see how popular this spot is. Notice the whole range of riders from lycra clad cross-country keen beans (racking up the vert and the kilometres) to the adrenaline chasers, skipping the climbs and shuttling the fastest descent in the network – Trailblazer.

 

 

Enjoy a gentle winding climb from the day use area up the Indy Trail, pop down onto the truly magical Waterfall Trail, before hitting the twisty climb that is Daydream. It’s up to you how you descend back down – Trailblazer is a hot choice, while its more established sibling, Milkmaid, is full of big berms and fun flow.

Novice riders can enjoy a great ride in here too, with the fully paved and closed-to-cars road, Gyndier Drive, offering a simple climb up to Top Track before the adventure begins on the way back down.

Keep the stoke rolling with a burger and a beer to round off the day at nearby Land and Sea Brewery.

2. Ferny Forest, Ewen Maddock Dam

Where: Ferny Forest, Ewen Maddock Dam
Difficulty: Beginner – Intermediate
Distance: 12km loop
Best for: Lush singletrack, novice terrain

For new riders keen to get a taste for singletrack riding, or for riders looking for a more mellow, flatter ride; the 12km loop around Ferny Forest is the pick of the bunch.

When it comes to the name, Ferny Forest really does do what it says on the tin – with large, beautiful stands of lush fern and blackbutt forest surrounding the looping trail.

 

 

The track is predominantly ridden in one direction – traversing through wildlife-packed forest (think native birds, goannas, and if you’re lucky, a koala) – along the shores of Ewen Maddock Dam.

Make sure to keep an eye out for the spots where you can take a breather, while soaking in glimpses of the majestic Glass House Mountains across the water.

There are a couple of rock gardens along the way to keep you on your toes, and a few points where you might wonder if your handlebars will fit between the trees (they will!) but other than that, Ferny Forest makes for a great, fun, less technical ride through a beautiful bush environment.

 

 

If you happen to decide it’s time to call it a day and fancy switching your cleats for coffee, there are plenty of signposted options along the singletrack loop to shortcut back to the carpark via the fire trail.

Read more: Remember to leave no trace

3. Sugar Bag Road, Caloundra

Where: Sugar Bag Road, Caloundra
Difficulty: Beginner – Advanced
Best for: Pump track, wooden ramps, and trailhead facilities including coffee and a BBQ

Over the past couple of years Sugar Bag Road has undergone massive development. In addition to the mountain biking cross-country style trails, it has become a hub for a bunch of other options on two wheels – including a huge bitumen pump track, a dual slalom, a ‘playground’ of techy features, and a dedicated skills park.

 

 

If you’re starting out or simply keen to play, the pump track and skills area are great places to hone your body position and get a feel for the bike. And with plenty of beginner friendly trails in ‘the bag’ including Milky Way, Fantales, and Party Mix – note the sweet theme going on here – it’s a great place to start out.

Sugar Bag is also home to endless wooden features, so if you’re riding with a buddy who wants to test themselves a little more, let them hit the more technical A-line while you hit the cruisier B-line, or vice versa.

For riders looking for the gravity ‘high’ (ain’t that a conundrum…) you won’t necessarily find the long descents here, but Syrup is a super fun little flow trail.

For anyone intermediate to advanced looking to tackle bigger manmade features, like ramps and the infamous wall ride – prayers go out to the many ambitious elbows that have inadvertently hit the wall – Beez Neez is the track for you.

The beauty of Sugar Bag is it’s only a few kilometres from the trailhead on Sugar Bag Road to the surf at Kings Beach. Top off your ride with an ocean dip, it’d be rude not to! Alternatively, if the post-ride thirst is up, Moffat Beach Brewing Co’s Production House is just a short, sneaky ride from the foot of the trails.

4. Parklands Conservation Park

Where: Parklands Conservation Park
Difficulty: Beginner – Advanced
Best for: Techy trails and singletrack exploring

It’s pretty rad to think of one of our favourite spots on the Coast has been named as a destination on the global stage, for the 2032 Olympic Games.

Parkies, as it’s known in these parts, is a large network of typically more natural, rocky, rooty trails. Think dense rainforest mixed with rocky slabs and some man-made wooden features thrown in for good measure.

 

 

Although Parklands typically attracts an intermediate to advanced crowd thanks to it requiring a fair amount of pedalling and sound technical skills on some tracks, it’s also a great spot for beginners.

Rocky Road heads straight from the car park down to Lush, a beautiful green, beginner loop. There is also a skills park here to practise log rollovers, cornering on berms, and negotiating rock gardens.

Speaking of negotiation, heads up, you may also find yourself negotiating Fluffy, the curious emu who roams the trails.

Please remember Fluffy is still a wild animal and although may be keen to interact with you, it’s best to give them space and respect!

 

 

If you’re planning a long ride in Parkies, download Trailforks for a little navigation assistance, or take a photo of the map at the trailhead.

The trails are well signposted, but are also extensive and for the geographically challenged, it can be surprisingly easy to get turned around in here.

Once you’ve had your fix of gnarly trails and emus, Terella Brewing is just down the road for a post-ride refreshment.

5. Oaky Creek Lookout, Mapleton NP

Where: Oaky Creek Lookout MTB Trail
Difficulty: Intermediate
Distance: 19km return
Best for: Open firetrail and panoramic views

Looking for an alternative to singletrack? Big fan of nature and sweeping, stellar views? The 19km out and back track from Mapleton Day Use Area to Oaky Creek Lookout delivers in spades.

Think of this trail as a fun and scenic mission, progressing through wet eucalypt forest and drier woodland, to a spectacular lookout on the edge of the ridge – enjoying wide open views across the many hills and troughs of the Conondale Range and Mary Valley.

 

 

If you’re feeling adventurous and have a great set of lights for your bike and helmet, this makes for a beautiful sunrise or sunset mission with friends.

Do take note, the trail is an undulating, open, double-track, so you’ll want to go easy on the brakes on some of the looser descents. Navigation is super easy with it being clearly signposted the whole way from the day use area to the lookout.

 

 

Take a picnic to enjoy at the lookout for a tasty halfway treat while you soak up the views and pump yourself up for the hills on the way home; or relax at the Day Use Area (or at the Mapleton bakery) on your return.

FAQs

Can I ride rain, hail or shine?

Technically speaking – unless the trails are signposted as closed, you can ride at any time. However, If it’s raining and the trails are super wet, maybe opt for a surf instead, hey. Pop over to the Queensland Parks website to check the track status before heading out.

The trails here are easily damaged in poor weather and respecting the trail and fellow riders is key to being a great mountain biker and all round decent human.

Bear in mind there’s a significant amount of work that goes into building and maintaining the trails, and much of the trail care on the Sunny Coast is done by local riders and volunteers. That being said, winter is an epic time to ride with less rainfall and blue-sky, sunny days.

How do I find my way around on these trails?

These trails are all signposted on the ground and also marked on the handy app, TrailForks, which you can download to your phone. Trailhead signage/maps typically outlines the trails on offer too, if you just want to have a look and take a photo for reference.

What if I don’t want to ride by myself?

There’s an active mountain bike club scene on the Sunshine Coast, running regular social rides, open to all. Check out the Noosa Trailblazers (typically around Tewantin); the Bushrangers (typically around Parklands) and CORCA (typically around Sugar Bag Road).