Five of the Best Mountain Biking Trails for Every Skill Level in WA’s South West

The sheer scale of Western Australia’s South West is breathtaking. The coastline unravels almost endlessly. Forests stretch deep and dark. Vineyards sit between long, empty roads. It’s a region that rewards exploration – but knowing where to start helps.

October brings a surge in cycling activity with Ride the Best of the South West drawing riders down for three world-class events: the UCI Gravel World Championships, Cape to Cape MTB and AusCycling MTB Enduro Oceania and National Championships. And whether you want to watch all the action unfold or are inspired to cycle the region yourself, there’s no better excuse to build a two-wheeled itinerary.

The South West’s got something for everyone, with trails across the whole trail grading system: green (easy and beginner-friendly), blue (intermediate, suitable for experienced mountain bikers), black (difficult) and double black (extreme).

From family-friendly rail trails to technical mountain bike descents, here are five rides worth clipping in for.

Wambenger Trails, Collie

Best for: All levels, from cruisy greens to technical black runs
Distance: Nearly 100 kilometres of trails across two networks
Difficulty: Green to double black

Collie has quietly become one of Western Australia’s premier mountain bike destinations. The Wambenger Trails – named after the tiny carnivorous marsupial native to the region – weave through Wellington National Park’s jarrah forest, skirting Wellington Dam and the Collie River.

The network is split into east and west. On the eastern side, you’ll find scenic riding past the brilliantly cyan-coloured Honeymoon Pool and Potters Gorge, with plenty of green-rated trails like Van Dam and Lichen. This for beginners. Cross the river and things get steeper and more technical, with blue-rated single-track trails, punchy climbs and a handful of black descents.

In 2026, the trails are home to the AusCycling MTB Enduro Oceania and National Championships, showcasing some of the nation’s best riders. These trails are big, varied and beautiful: the kind of place you could return for a long weekend and still not completely tick off.

Old Timberline & Sidings Rail Trails, Nannup

Best for: Intermediate riders and scenic long rides
Distance: 22 kilometres (Old Timberline only) or 37 kilometres for both
Difficulty: Moderate

Nannup has transformed its timber heritage into something far more pedal-friendly. It’s now no longer famous for its logging, but for mountain bike trails and gravel riding. The UCI Gravel World Championships will bring the world’s best gravel riders to Nannup, and there are many trails for visitors. One of them is the Old Timberline Trail that follows a former logging road and rail line along St John Brook, cutting through pristine jarrah forest and hill country.

Unlike many rail trails, this one isn’t flat. Expect narrow sections, steady climbs and a few technical patches. The 22-kilometre stretch can be ridden in a day and paired with the Sidings Rail Trail for a 37-kilometre loop linking Cambray Siding and the Blackwood River bridge.

You can swim at Barrabup Pool if you need to cool off, and Sleeper Hewers Camp offers an overnight option if you want to stretch it into a weekend.

Wadandi Track, Margaret River

Best for: Families and relaxed riders
Distance: 23 kilometres
Difficulty: Easy

Running from Cowaramup to Witchcliffe via Margaret River township, the Wadandi Track follows an old rail alignment through marri and jarrah forest. It’s flat, wide and ideal for families or anyone new to off-road riding.

Named for the Wadandi people, the Traditional Custodians of the region, the trail explodes in colour in spring when wildflowers line the track. It’s also a practical way to link cellar doors, bakeries and beaches without getting back in the car.

If you’re feeling confident, there are connections into Margaret River’s mountain bike networks, including The Pines in Bramley Forest.

The Pines, Bramley Forest, Margaret River

Best for: Progressing riders and flow lovers
Distance: Around 10 kilometres of interconnected loops
Difficulty: Green to blue (with advanced features)

Right on the edge of town, The Pines is a local favourite around Margaret River. A fast, flowing single-track rail winds through pine plantation and native forest, with berms, rollers and tabletops that reward rhythm more than brute strength.

It forms part of Stage 3 of the Cape to Cape MTB race – one of the headline events in Ride the Best of the South West – but outside race season it’s an approachable, choose-your-own-adventure trail system. There’s no strict route; build your own loop and repeat your favourite descents.

Allow a couple of hours to explore properly.

Relentless Blue, Pemberton MTB Park, Pemberton

Best for: Experienced mountain bikers
Distance: 10-kilometre circuit
Difficulty: Advanced

If you’re chasing a challenge, head to Pemberton. Set among towering karri trees, Relentless Blue at Pemberton MTB Park lives up to its name.

The opening stretch – known locally as “hell mile” – is a grind of punchy climbs. What follows is a technical rollercoaster of switchbacks, log rollovers, rock gardens and wall rides. The western side of the hill delivers cross-country-style ups and downs, while the eastern side drops into faster downhill terrain with features designed to test nerve and control.

It’s not for beginners, but sections can be ridden independently if you want a taste without committing to the full circuit.

This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Tourism Western Australia.