Mountain Biking

Mountain Biking

Lithgow is surrounded by a variety of excellent mountain biking opportunities.
From the completion level trails maintained by the Central Tablelands Mountain Bike Club to meandering single trail, remote wilderness epics and pleasant fire trail outings.
Lithgow is encircled by National Parks (NP), Wilderness Zones (WZ), State Forest (SF) and Crown land (CL). Each of these bodies has different rules and management systems set up to deal with off-road cycling, which should be double-checked before heading out.
Being nestled between other great riding areas like the Blue Mountains and Central West makes Lithgow the perfect hub for an extended trip.
Central Tablelands Mountain Bike Club maintains a state-level Downhill trail within Hassan’s Walls Reserve and a popular Cross Country trail within the Lidsdale State Forest at Rydal. They have a healthy race scene with the laid-back attitude harking back to the early days of the sport.
For more information on the club, trails or route options in the area,
visit their Facebook Page

Hassans Walls Reserve (CL)

With stunning lookouts, Hassan’s Wall Reserve offers both fire trail and single-track riding. The main road up is a popular fitness route for walkers, joggers, and riders alike. Numerous trails in the area skirt off the main roads, offering a variety of challenges as they descend back into the valley. The Central Tablelands MBC’s Pony Xpress (DH) trail is found within the reserve.
Please check with the club for restrictions on using this trail:

CentraltablelandsMTB

Bicentennial National Trail (NP, SF, CL)

The Bicentennial National Trail is Australia’s premier long-distance, multi-use recreational trekking route, stretching an extraordinary 5,330 kilometres from Cooktown in tropical far north Queensland to Healesville in Victoria.
The National Trail was originally conceived as a route for long-distance horse trekkers but is now enjoyed by cyclists and hikers as well.
Section 9 passes through our area and offers some great riding along the Great Dividing Range through Wollemi National Park, Lidsdale and Hampton State Forests and into the Blue Mountains National Park.
Learn more…

Capertee Valley (NP, SF, CL)

Discover the breathtaking vistas of Wollemi and Gardens of Stone National Parks as you explore the Capertee region. This spectacular landscape offers a variety of riding experiences, from scenic routes around Blackmans Crown and Pearson’s Lookout to immersive trails that lead you deep into the valley below.

Long Swamp/Ben Bullen State Forests/ Gardens of Stone (SF, NP)

Discover a network of pleasant fire trails and more challenging steep tracks, offering sweeping views and impressive rock formations. With plenty to explore, this area rewards visitors with solid navigational skills.

Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area/ Newnes Plateau (SF, NP, WZ, CL)

Newnes Plateau offers outstanding opportunities for cross‑country, all‑mountain and adventure riding, with a mix of flowing singletrack and scenic fire trails. The area is extensive and remote, and mobile phone coverage is limited. Riders exploring the more isolated sections should carry topographic maps and have solid navigation skills.

Popular Longer Rides

Glow Worm Tunnel Road / Coach Road to Newnes
A classic adventure ride covering approximately 55 km one way (or around 90 km for a loop via Wallerawang) when starting from Lithgow.
Alternatively, the route can be accessed from Clarence via the Wolgan Valley Wilderness Railway Trail.

Mayingu Marragu (Blackfellow’s Hands) and Sunnyside Ridge
These fire trails are popular options for riders seeking a combination of cultural interest, rugged landscapes and rewarding riding.

Sunny Corner (SF)

Sunny Corner’s State Forest delivers a raw mountain‑biking experience, with countless informal trails winding through varied terrain—ideal for riders who love to explore beyond the beaten path.

Rydal (SF, NP, CL)

The Central Tablelands Mountain Bike Club hosts XC and endurance events on a diverse trail network stretching north from the Rydal Showground into the Lidsdale State Forest. The area features a series of flowing, beginner‑friendly loops running alongside the Bicentennial National Trail, all of which can be mixed and matched to build your perfect ride.

For riders chasing bigger climbs and tougher terrain, an extensive grid of fire trails and 4×4 tracks branches deeper into the state forest. These routes open up epic full‑day adventures, leading down to the Cox’s River and the backwaters of Lake Lyell, or heading across toward Mt Walker and the rugged landscapes of Marrangaroo National Park.

Hartley/Mt York (CL)

The network of convict-built roads linking the Mt York peninsula to Hartley Vale—now maintained by Blue Mountains City Council as multi‑use trails—has become one of the region’s most unique mountain‑biking experiences. Originally constructed in the 1800s and early 1900s, these historic routes were never designed with bikes in mind, yet time and terrain have shaped them into flowing, challenging, and incredibly rewarding trails.

Berghofer’s Pass

A smooth and scenic ride featuring gentle gradients and sweeping views across the valley. Ideal as a warm‑up climb or a cruisy descent.

Lawson’s Long Alley

A mix of pleasant singletrack weaving along a public easement through private land, before finishing with a sharp, punchy climb to the top. Great variety and a real sense of place.

Cox’s Road

Steep, rocky, and technical—this is the trail of choice for riders chasing a more serious descent. Expect a rugged historic roadbed with plenty of challenge.

Lockyer’s Trail

A true mountain-bike favourite offering a bit of everything: tough climbs, flowing singletrack, and technical sections that reward confident line choices.

Linking the Trails

Combining these four historic routes into a longer loop delivers an epic ride—but it demands solid fitness and competent technical skills. The payoff: a full day of adventure through some of the most significant early‑colonial engineering in the Blue Mountains.

Water Works Gully

A fun, cruisy ride that winds through a cool, shaded gully. The old cobbled causeways at the creek crossings add a bit of technical interest—watch your line, especially when they’re wet—but the rest of the trail rolls smoothly and is suitable for most riders.

Other areas

Explore the charm of our smaller rural villages as you ride along quiet dirt and gravel roads through picturesque countryside. Along the way, reward yourself with a traditional pub counter lunch—just the way riders like it

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