HERO DIRT

THE INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED MURRAY VALLEY TRAILS HAVE SOMETHING FOR EVERY MOUNTAIN BIKER, FROM THE KEEN BEGINNER TO THE WEEKEND WARRIOR, TO THE THRILL-LOVING ADRENALINE SEEKER. THE CHOICE IS YOURS.

BY CLAIRE TYRELL

Dwellingup really is a mountain biker’s paradise. With more than 56km of quality, single-track, purpose-built trails, it’s hard to believe that WA’s best trails town is only just over one hour’s drive from Perth.

Taking the trip from Perth via Del

Park Road, a scenic country back road flanked by stunning eucalyptus trees, you certainly begin to feel the anticipation of escaping to some of the best ‘hero dirt’ mountain bike trials in the state.

Before heading out to the Murray Valley Trails in the Lane Poole Reserve or Marrinup and Turner Hill, make sure you call into the Dwellingup Trails and Visitors Centre. Recent upgrades and developments has made this centre a key feature of this award-winning, small town.

The state-of-the-art and nationally recognised centre features interactive trail maps, virtual reality trail experiences, loads of local intel with up-to-date maps, road and trail conditions - a must before you head off.

Next door you can grab a coffee and a feed at Waypoints Café and pick up any gear you might need from Dwellingup

Adventures, offering bike and adventure equipment for hire.

Great news for all levels of riders, there are plenty of green trails to explore in Dwellingup, with more commencing construction in 2022, including easy shared-use town trails and cross-country loop options linked to the Marrinup Trail.

With the Munda Biddi Trail running through Dwellingup town, connecting you to the Murray Valley Trails and the

Marrinup and Turner Hill trail networks, it’s an epic way to experience a weekend adventure surrounded by nature and towering forests.

See maps on page 14 and 35 on how to get there. Happy trails!

Step it up on the Murray Valley Trails

Only a short drive from Dwellingup, the Murray Valley mountain bike trails has 32kms of ‘hero dirt’ purpose built, quality mountain bike trails. With the ultimate combination and consistency of moisture, makeup and traction, the orange soil of Dwellingup makes for perfect mountain biking conditions.

With green, blue and black trails on this network, there is a wide selection for all skill levels and trails experiences. Look for the signage at The Roost and Murray Valley Trailhead to choose your adventure that’s appropriate for the level of challenge you seek and suitable for your skill level.

Instead of driving to the trailheads, you can also ride from Dwellingup town centre and connect to the Murray Valley Trails via the Munda Biddi Trail. For the hardened downhill riders, you can opt for a shuttle bus to the trail head most weekends and some weekdays. Loose Riders and WA Riders offer the service, with bookings essential and fees applying.

Riders can also climb from the trail head along Captain Hook, a steep blue trail that winds its way up to green trail Yarri Up, which meets the blue and black downhill tracks. There is an entry fee for Lane Poole Reserve, home to the Murray Valley Trails, or you can buy an annual park pass from the Dwellingup Trails and Visitor Centre or purchase online from the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions – a much more cost-effective option for those who want to frequent the trails.

Quollity Street - 1.4km, green trail

A left turn at the bottom of green trail Rock On will spit you back onto the Munda Biddi, which links with the loamy green trail called Quollity Street.

This 1.4km trail loops off the Munda Biddi and goes past the Chuditch campsite.

Riders can weave through the picturesque jarrah forest on this simple but fun trail, which is accessible to riders of all abilities.

Snotty Gobble - 900m, green trail

About 50m from the entry to Rock On, and part of the wider Munda Biddi network, is Snotty Gobble, a trail named after the flowering plant species commonly spotted in WA’s South West.

This 900m trail is a good alternative for riders who want an easier descent into the valley than the adjacent black and blue lines. It features a gradual decline into the shuttle area, with some enjoyable twists and turns between native vegetation.

Inzamia - 2.3km, blue trail

This mountain descent is a long, leg-burning pump trail that will have you grinding from start to finish. With flowing sections and a slight downhill to start, pick up the pace fast on the lower half of this trail for a super fun finish.

Blue Marron - 3km, blue trail

A long cross-country trail. A climb rewards you with a fast and steep technical descent through ancient granite boulders with sweeping views over the valley. This blue trail has optional black features and alternate lines for you to up the challenge and choose your own adventure!

Busted Nuts 1.6km, black trail

Named perhaps for its multiple steep lips that propel riders skyward, this trail is not for the faint-hearted.

Fast, flowy, loamy and steep in some sections, Busted Nuts is an adrenaline junkie’s dream. The track demonstrates why Dwellingup is a world-class mountain biking destination, offering 1.6km of pure joy.

As this is a black trail, reasonable levels of skill and confidence are required.

Bam Bam - 1.3km, black trail

Advanced riders craving gap jumps and rock gardens are bound to enjoy Bam Bam, a black trail that runs parallel to the blue line trail, Boom Boom.

The 1.3km track features flowy sections, double whale back jumps and steep technical sections. A road gap along the trail will get your heart pumping, as will the fast descent to the shuttle area.

Munda Biddi Trail

In the Indigenous Noongar language of WA’s South West, Munda Biddi translates to ‘path through the forest’.

The entire trail stretches more than

1,000kms from beginning to end and is designed for off-road cycling enthusiasts.

Dwellingup is Section 2 of the Munda Biddi Trail, sitting between Jarrahdale and Nanga. This section provides an opportunity to experience a stunning variety of Western Australia’s native flora and fauna, seasonal wildflowers and towering old-growth forest all year round while traversing through the Darling Ranges that follow sections of the pristine Murray River.

The track links to many of the mountain bike trails in the region and is a great way for riders to ‘get their eye in’, or for less experienced riders to practice gravel mountain biking.

Dwellingup’s position as WA’s best trail town is highlighted by the fact that the Munda Biddi Trail and Bibbulmun Track intersect at the Dwellingup Trails and Visitor Centre, “Where Trails Meet”, both attracting thousands of riders and walkers every year from around the globe.

Marrinup

North of Dwellingup and about 5km from the townsite, lies the Marrinup mountain bike network.

The town of Marrinup existed until 1961 when it was destroyed by bushfire. Today it’s a campsite featuring an 8km mountainbike loop that is ideal for intermediate riders or cross-country enthusiasts.

It can be accessed via Grey Road, following the signs to the campground. The recently upgraded loop runs in a clockwise direction with parts of the Munda Biddi Trail linking the trails. Marrinup features a variety of terrain, including rocky sections, log rides, narrow gravel tracks and loamier sections.

Winding through the shaded gravel sections, there are plenty of opportunities to get some air-time with the mini lips and humps in the track. But for the novice rider, the trail offers a safe circuit with B-lines on every feature. The mostly flat trail does feature some climbing, therefore a moderate level of fitness is recommended.

Riders can choose a shorter loop, of about 4km, which makes Marrinup a great place to get a feel for mountain biking for newbies or younger riders.

Turner Hill

The Turner Hill track is described as an old-school, cross-country mountain biker’s ideal trail. About 11km north of Dwellingup, the 13.5km loop provides a great platform for riders to improve their skills and fitness.

The recently upgraded trail is a key part of the Dwellingup 100 mountain bike race each year and includes rocky sections, log roll overs and fast and flowy descents.

The loop has close to 300m of elevation and is guaranteed to test the legs of even the fittest riders. It is aimed at intermediate riders who can confidently ride the loose gravel. It does, however, contain a shorter loop at 1.1km, which is perfect for less experienced riders, kids, or those who need a warm-up before embarking on the complete loop.

The trail can be accessed via North Spur Road from the south or Scarp Road from the north.

Upgrades for the Murray

Keen riders will soon have more to choose from in Dwellingup, as a three-year $8.4 million government program to enhance the trails takes place. The initiative will see an additional 20km of cross-country mountain bike tracks around the town site, linking some of its major trail areas. It will include the development of competitionlevel downhill trails near Tom’s Crossing in Lane Poole Reserve and 15km of new trails between Turner Hill and Marrinup MTB trail networks. The instalment of a 150m suspension bridge over the Murray River, due for completion by the end of 2022, will link the Dwaarlindjirraap parking area in the Lane Poole Reserve with the Murray Valley Trails.

Contact the Dwellingup Trails and Visitor Centre for the latest updates on upgrades to bolster your biking experience.

Replenish

An epic day of mountain biking in Dwellingup is made even sweeter with a varied selection of sustenance options. Waypoints Café or Blue Wren Café in town provide great coffee, snacks and lunches to provide the energy riders require.

At the end of the day, it is hard to go past Longriders Café & Restaurant or the local ‘Dwelly Pub’ for a handmade woodfired pizza or juicy burger, paired with a nice, ice-cold pint.

For more information on available trails visit trailswa.com.au