The Canberra Centenary Trail (CCT) is a nice ride with the exception that so much is through the suburbs. Without directional signage through the suburbs, Komoot will be required to find our way. Canberra.bike suggests that we may as well stay on dirt roads.
Finding dirt
The sections through the suburbs can be replaced with gravel and dirt management trails and multi-use track. The path quality is good through Stromlo and the Molonglo Valley, and varies through west Belconnen on the Bicentennial National Trail.
Multi-use track is similar to singletrack but not specifically designed for mountain biking. Multi-use track is common along the Canberra Centenary Trail through Canberra Nature Park. Multi-use track is for both pedestrians and cyclists, and designed along environmental preservation guidelines.
As with the last post, the Canberra Centenary Trail route is broken down into shorter sections so that it is more manageable for most people to ride. A Rapid Bus stop is found at the beginning and end of each section to comfortably get to the track head. Those that would like a longer ride can just combine sections. Ride the sections you like and leave out the others.
The Sections
The quality of the trail depends a great deal on whether the section follows the Bicentennial National Trail (BNT) or the Canberra Centenary Trail (CCT). The CCT is more recent and has better maintenance. The BNT has largely been forgotten and overgrown in places. You will be riding through grass at times. It is an equestrian trail and not mowed. There are many horse stiles to carry your bike over. The BNT has a rural nature which is charming. Both the BNT and CCT can be found on OpenStreetMap.
The navigation of the CCT sections is straight forward as the directional signage is good. On the BNT sections, there is no signage but the horse stiles are a good indicator that you are on the right track. Canberra.bike recommends the Komoot app for navigating these sections.
Should you wish to avoid the BNT sections outright, follow the CBR Cycle Route R5 and R8 to Hall. The CBR Cycle Route R5 and Canberra Centenary Trail to Hall have been discussed previously on canberra.bike.
Section A
- Navigation: CCT
- Start: R2 Constitution Avenue
- End: R7 Weston Creek Terminus
- Distance: 9.1km
- Climb: 214m
- Drop: 90m
Section B
- Navigation: CCT
- Start: R7 Weston Creek Terminus
- End: R1 Gungahlin Terminus
- Distance: 16.0km
- Climb: 270m
- Drop: 327m
Section C
- Navigation: BNT CCT
- Start: R1 Gungahlin Terminus
- End: R2 Fraser West Terminus
- Distance: 26.2km
- Climb: 490m
- Drop: 532m
Section D
- Navigation: BNT CCT
- Start: R2 Fraser West Terminus
- End: R10 Denman Prospect Terminus
- Distance: 40.0km
- Climb: 457m
- Drop: 482m
Section E
- Navigation: CCT
- Start: R10 Denman Prospect Terminus
- End: R7 Weston Creek Terminus
- Distance: 8.9km
- Climb: 203m
- Drop: 143m
Section F
- Navigation: CCT
- Start: R7 Weston Creek Terminus
- End: R4 Tuggeranong Interchange
- Distance: 21.6km
- Climb: 359m
- Drop: 410m
Section G
- Navigation: CCT
- Start: R4 Tuggeranong Interchange
- End: R6 Red Hll stop
- Distance: 18,9km
- Climb: 364m
- Drop: 308m
New bus stops
Canberra Centenary Trail without the suburbs starts in the city at Constitution Avenue. The dirt track starts behind the War Memorial at the top of the hill.
R3 Constitution Ave stop, Cambell. Rapid Bus the other bus stops are shown in Canberra Centenary Trail with the bus.
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