Trails - Mt Coot-tha/Gap Creek

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Trails - Mt Coot-tha/Gap Creek

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Mt Coot-tha/Gap Creek

Best place to start is Gap Creek Reserve on Gap Creek Road carpark or Beilby road. The main entrance to the reserve is on Gap Creek Rd on the gravel section. You'll see the carparking area and wooden walk bridge into the reserve. In the Gap Creek Reserve area are a variety of trails for several levels of rider. All trails inside the ring road on top of Mt Coot-tha (Bardon side of the Mt) are off limits to MTBs except for the 'telstra track' or powerful owl trail as it's correctly called. This the only legal mountain bike trail on the western side and provides linkage across the mountain. Gap Creek/ Mt Coot-tha was the first area in Qld to have 'Mountain Bike Only' trails allocated and signposted.

Mt Coot-tha and Gap Creek is currently being developed under a 'Trail Care' program run in cooperation with the Rangers, GCTA and MTB volunteers. This program, using IMBA guidelines and principles, is constantly upgrading and re-routing trails within the forest to make them environmentally sustainable, yet also challenging for the riders. Please don't assume that all trails are legal to ride on as many are not. Refer to the maps opposite.

'Anzac Park' (official name is block 1) is a nearby reserve and while not the quality of Gap Creek its a good place for beginners and locals to this area to have a quick ride before or after work.

All trails in the Anzac Park area are Multi-use and therefore riders should always be very aware of walkers and other users.

Some Extra Info ... " Mt Coot-tha Forest, just 15 minutes from the CBD, is one of Brisbane's largest natural areas, with more than 1500 hectares of open eucalypt forest. The forest forms the south-eastern boundary of Brisbane Forest Park. These two areas make up a 30,000 hectare forest that extends well into suburban Brisbane. Approximately 370 animal species live in Mt Coot-tha Forest, including a number of rare and threatened species like the powerful owl. Other animals you can see while you're exploring the forest include goshawks, eagles, wrens and robins as well as possums and bats. Mt Coot-tha Lookout, with its sweeping views of the city, Moreton Bay, Stradbroke Island and the southern ranges, is popular with residents and visitors. The Lookout is a great place to visit, or spend some time at the Summit Restaurant or Kuta Cafe. Mt Coot-tha Forest is located five kilometres west of Brisbane's central business district. You can get to the Mt Coot-tha Forest from Sir Samuel Griffith Drive or Gap Creek Road, Mt Coot-tha. Limited parking is available. " - Brisbane City Council (BCC)

Cubberla creek trail

Cubberla has been re-designed (it once was very technical and environmentally unsustainable) to be easily ridden by beginners and is ridden in both directions also with ease. Although it's possible to ride at speed, it isn't really at it's best unless taken at a more casual pace to enjoy the track work and scenic nature.

Crib walls of rock are used to support the trail tread in several places and give the trail a meandering feel.

It has a couple of log rollovers on it but there are of a very easy technical level and very few riders would need to step off the bike to get over these.

The bottom end of Cubberla is punctuated by this armoured entry which leads into a nicely made berm.

Echidna

Echidna is a beginner/intermediate level trail with a mostly contour surfing nature. It is punctuated by an armoured section to protect against brake ruts into a closing corner but is easily ridden each direction. Some speed is possible on this trail but it's mostly a cruisey sort of run.

Pipeline

Pipeline is an advanced trail which is designed and built by experienced riders. This is not a trail for riders with average or little skills.

Whipbird way & Bandicoot byway

Two intermediate trails that link together for a long ride on purpose built single-track.

A 'filter' in the form of a large log with rock ramping at the start of Whipbird tells the riders this is not a beginners trail.

The sensation of speed is possible on this trail with well built berms, small rock drops and other technical features.
This trail is an intermediate level run.

These trails are ridable both ways but best ridden from the Cubberla Creek Trail end as this is the more downward and flowing way which make it the more popular way also.

Man made features are placed where necessary for sustainability and/or environmental reasons.

Rocket Frog

Rocket Frog is known as a beginners trail and for the most part it is just that but it's a load of fun just the same. The trail runs from the Gap Creek Reserve itself all the way through to Highgate Rd.

Following the valley floor, it's re-route in 2007 follows a path that now avoids the lowest areas that went under water every time it rained.

Part way along is a left turn (SKINK LINK) that provides an extremely well designed switchbacked climb that exits near the top of the Quail Trail. This is the reccomended route which brings you out to begin and enjoy a fast run back to the reserve along the full length of Rocket Frog.

Other trails & features

The 'Croc'

Trail care

Essentials

Address: Located on Mt Coot-tha, this forest reserve is famous for the views of Brisbane city and the 4 television stations located on top.
Map files: mt_coot_tha_gap_creek_map_0_552 (186.29 kb) 5763hits; mt_coot_tha_gap_creek_map_1_785 (251.60 kb) 3015hits