Situated in the breathtaking scenery of the Great Otway National Park the Forrest MTB Trails offers some of the most diverse and fun trails in Australia.
There’s over 75km of single track and new flow trails weaving through everything from tall eucalypts, and native bush to magical fern gullies…..quite simply there is a trail for everyone!
FORREST TRAILS NETWORK: THE SOUTHERN LOOP
Having undergone a recent $2.32M redevelopment, the southern trails surround the township of Forrest and offer riders 16 great (Flow and XC) trails ranging for easy to more difficult…always ride within your ability.
Find out more about the Southern Loop
YAUGHTER TRAILS NETWORK: THE NORTHERN LOOP
The northern section (Yaugher) has an extensive range of trails for all skill levels.
To get to the Yaugher trail head for the Forrest township, take a short 5 minute ride up the Tiger Rail trail to Yaugher road. Travel a few minutes up Yaugher Road and you’ll find the trail head. Have an awesome day on 8 wicked trails!
This app, released by Forest Fire Management Victoria, aims to provide comprehensive information to help people use and enjoy Victoria’s 3.1 million hectares of State forest and its network of approximately 400 visitor sites and 250 recreational trails.
Forrest as a community welcomes and celebrates MTB activities. As a visitor this comes apparent as soon as you roll into town. Local businesses proudly display their affection and connection to the trails and the local Forrest MTB Club is made up of passionate local riders and community members who work hard to maintain the trails and welcome new members from across Victoria. Bikes are also welcome at most businesses with bike racks at the Forrest Brewery and General Store.
International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) developed these “Rules of the Trail” to promote responsible and courteous conduct on shared-use trails. Keep in mind that conventions for yielding and passing may vary in different locations, or with traffic conditions.
Ride Open Trails: Respect trail and road closures. Ask the appropriate land manager for clarification if you are uncertain about the status of a trail. Do not trespass on private land. Obtain permits or other authorization as required. Be aware that bicycles are not permitted in areas protected as state or federal Wilderness.
Leave No Trace: Be sensitive to the dirt beneath you and the environment around you. Wet and muddy trails are more vulnerable to damage than dry ones. When the trail is soft, consider other riding options. This also means staying on existing trails and not creating new ones. Don’t cut switchbacks. Don’t ride around standing water which results in widening the trail. Be sure to pack out at least as much as you pack in. Consider improving the trail experience for those that follow by picking up and removing any litter.
Control Your Bike: Inattention for even a moment could put yourself and others at risk. Obey all bicycle speed regulations and recommendations, and ride within your limits. Social conflicts on trails often result when riders are going too fast.
Yield Appropriately: Do your utmost to let your fellow trail users know you’re coming – a friendly greeting or bell ring are good methods. Try to anticipate other trail users as you ride around corners. Mountain bikers should yield to other non-motorized trail users unless the trail is clearly signed for bike-only travel. Bicyclists travelling downhill should yield to all users headed uphill, unless the trail is clearly signed for one-way or downhill-only traffic. In general, strive to make each pass a safe, controlled and courteous one.
Never Scare Animals: Animals such as horses are easily startled by an unannounced approach, a sudden movement or a loud noise. Give animals enough room and time to adjust to you. When passing horses, dismount from your bike, walk around them on the downhill side of the trail, use special care and follow directions from the horseback riders (ask if uncertain). Running cattle and disturbing wildlife are serious offences.
Plan Ahead: Know your equipment, your ability and the area in which you are riding and prepare accordingly. Strive to be self-sufficient: keep your equipment in good repair and carry necessary supplies for changes in weather or other conditions. Always wear a helmet and appropriate safety gear.
Download the IMBA Guidelines Here
Also, phytophthora cinnamomi in the Otway Ranges (Cinnamon fungus or Eucalypt dieback) has a negative impact on the Otways environment.
What can you do, as a Mountain Biker, to reduce the impacts of Pc:
Is someone seriously injured or in need of urgent medical help?
Is your life or property being threatened?
Have you just witnessed a serious accident or crime?
If you answered yes to any of these, call Triple Zero (000). These calls are free.
Forrest boasts an amazing history, in the early 19th century there was a mix of farming practices in the area including; wheat, oats, potatoes, peas, onions and hop fields. These farms spawned the need for community facilities and a small township called Yaugher was formed. Yaugher was about two kilometres north of the site of the future Forrest township. The huge stands of mountain ash forest in the Otways attracted saw millers who established sawmills in the in the 1860s. After the logging industry wound up in 2005 Forrest embarked on a new adventure tourism future and the Forrest MTB trails were established.
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Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Great Ocean Road region the Wadawurrung, Eastern Maar & Gunditjmara. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging. We recognise and respect their unique cultural heritage and the connection to their traditional lands. We commit to building genuine and lasting partnerships that recognise, embrace and support the spirit of reconciliation, working towards self-determination, equity of outcomes and an equal voice for Australia’s first people.
