canberra.bike
The Canberra Centenary Trail is 140km long. Most people will not ride it in one go. One trick is to break it up into multiple stages and to do a different section on different days. The question now is how to get to the track head and home again at the end of the ride. Canberra.bike suggests taking the bike on a Canberra Rapid Bus. The terminus stations are a base camp for the rides.
Australian Hiker is a website for bushwalking but there are interesting reviews of Canberra Nature Park. As routes are often along management trails they can be ridden as well. In the worst case of ‘walking only’ trails, the review may provide inspiration for further investigation what is possible along management trails.
The ride starts at Deakin, on the northern end of Red Hill Nature Reserve and sweeps south and west to end at Stromlo Forest Park. The route strings together a number of Canberra Nature Park reserves.
The “South Canberra ridges” article can be found here.
The Canberra Nature Park reserves seem to be endless and the view is obstructed by the forest and hills. The management trails and paths meander their way around the hills. This network of trails and paths has grown historically. There is a surprise around every corner.
The recreational use of nature reserves is balanced against preservation. The Canberra Nature Park Draft Reserve Management Plan 2019 includes all the details for each of the 37 nature reserves, but the document is too big to carry with you.
If you are unfamiliar with a reserve, the smartphone app Komoot with OpenStreetMap would be a good start to help you find your way. The information relating to cycling in the Management Plan has been captured in OpenStreetMap. The rideable nature reserves will be reviewed in this post.
Designated areas include Cooleman Ridge, Mount Arawang, McQuoids Hill, Mount Majura, Mount Ainslie, Mount Stromlo, Narrabundah Hill, Mount Taylor, National Arboretum, Molonglo Valley, The Pinnacle, Mount Painter, Bruce Ridge, and Black Mountain.
