The Granite Belt is the perfect weekend destination. Less than three hours from Brisbane, it offers great accommodation, restaurants and cafes and has outdoor activities including water skiing, fishing, horse riding, hiking and mountain biking.
Many new mountain biking trails twisting through Granite Belt’s unique mix of granite rock and different soil types have made it a biker’s paradise.
If you are planning to go mountain biking in Granite Belt, here is a quick guide to all the hottest spots on the trail.
Mount Marlay
Mount Marlay offers the best choice of trails. You can choose a short 8km trail or a longer 17km trail. The 8km trail is a scenic route that is suitable for beginners, while the 17km trail is more challenging and is perfect for advanced riders.
If you have family and friends that are not ready to tackle the more advanced trails, Mount Marlay is a great option for you.
It is home to these trails:
1) Green Granite (Beginners)
The Green Granite trail for beginners is located within Mount Marlay Park. It is a relatively easy ride, following an old dirt road for the majority of the way.
The trail is almost level with little incline as it meanders through the native bush. It is suitable for riders of all ages and abilities.
2) The Grape Escape (Intermediate)
This intermediate trail is a good length and has some challenging parts. The trail is mostly fire road, with a few rocky sections. The incline is very slight, and the difficulty is moderate.
This scenic trail meanders through the surroundings of Mount Marlay Park and has a great view of the surrounding countryside.
This is a great one for intermediate riders and also for families with younger children.
3) Hammerhead (Expert)
This expert trail is the most difficult trail of the Mount Marlay trails. This trail is a combination of fire road and single track and has a difficult incline.
It’s great for experienced riders and the trail is generally short but very fast with lots of steep inclines.
Passchendaele and Broadwater State Forest
There are a number of great tracks for riders in the Passchendaele State Forests, including the trail down to Broadwater.
This trail offers riders of all levels the opportunity to experience riding through thick rainforest and old-growth timber.
The trail down to Broadwater is quite steep, but there are plenty of opportunities to stop and enjoy the tranquil surroundings.
It’s a great way to enjoy the mountain air and get a break from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Fourteen River Crossings of the Condamine River
This trail is suitable for experienced riders only. There are a number of river crossings and there is no way around them. You will have to ride through the water at some point.
The trail is quite short and you shouldn’t take more than two hours to complete it. The trail would suit intermediate and advanced riders who don’t mind a challenge.
Conclusion
The Granite Belt is the perfect destination for a weekend getaway. If you love mountain biking or have never tried it, this is the perfect place to start.
If you want to enjoy your trip to Granite Belt, make sure you have a good place to stay. Granite Belt Retreat offers the best Stanthorpe accommodation cabins that will give you a home away from home. Contact us today to get a head start on your vacation.
