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Out and back
A bit of Perimeter Trail (from Durumbil Rd)
About as easy as it gets: this out and back ride has a bit of single track to start/finish and the rest is pretty smooth firetrail. Idea for beginners.
The Perimeter firetrail is one of the most popular trails on the Northern Beaches. This route is the easiest option for beginners to explore. As a bonus there's a little single track to get to/from the main trail.
Park by the Japanese School on Booralie Rd. At the end of Durumbil Rd head left into the bush. There's around 500m of single track to get you to the main fire trail.
Perimeter Trail Out & Back (from Nerang Ave)
All firetrail out and back from Nerang Ave. This is suggested for beginners, but has a few steeper sections (downhill) to start so that's uphill to finish you off.
The Perimeter firetrail is one of the most popular trails on the Northern Beaches. This route is one of the easier options for beginners to explore.
Start at the East end of the trail, which is at the end of Nerang Avenue, Terrey Hills. Many people will also choose to park at the shops on Booralie Road (corner with Yulong Ave) and ride past the playing fields to the trailhead:
Lady Carrington Drive
Pretty much as easy a mountain bike ride as you will find in Sydney, this out and back is perfect for beginners.
If driving to the start, parking can be found at the Royal National Park Visitor Centre just next to the Audley Crossing. As this is a visitor's centre it has toilets, a small refreshments kiosk, etc.
So starting at the Northern end, follow this super easy out and back along the firetrail by the Hacking River. There's nothing technical here at all so this ride is perfect for beginners.
Mount Barrington Via Polblue/Barrington Trails
Beautiful firetrail route through native forest in Barrington Tops National Park. Don't expect a view at the end of this though.
Head 1.5Km West from Polblue camp ground and one should come across Polblue Trail heading south...
Follow this and keep on going. Polblue itself is around 4.75Km long, after which it joins the main Barrington Trail so turn right there.
Barrington Trail continues South and splits about 700m after the junction with Polblue. When we were there Mount Barrington was signposted on the right so followed that although if you believe the topo both routes lead there.
Red Hill Technical
Small ride through Red Hill with lots of technical distractions along the way.
West Head: Waratah + Elvina Tracks
Two out and backs combined. Climb out of Elvina is a killer.
At the end of Waratah there's a nice rock section with view before you turn around to return.
West Head: Salvation + Towlers
Road work from McCarrs Creek Rd to Salvation then Towlers tracks and return.
This is good if you really, really don't want to pay the Ku-ring-gai Park entry fee as the start is from the parking area by McCarrs Creek Road just outside the gate (corner with West Head Road).
Downside is quiet a lot of this distance is on the road, which is where to start: head up West Head road, past the National Park entrance then bear right to follow West Head road at (almost) the top of the hill.
Coba Ridge + Smugglers
Combination of Coba Point out and back plus loop-ish Smugglers Ridge and fire trail return.
Taking in a number of rather technical trails, this ride starts by heading out along Coba Point past some awesome lookouts:
At the end of Coba Point, turn round and head back to the start, but carry on and take in Smugglers Ridge, which is another a very technical track.
There's a crazy drop at the North end that for most will be hike-a-bike!
With such a steep drop, climbing back was always going to be hard. Even on the firetrail this route returns on. Be sure to save energy for the slog!
GNR From Mangrove Mountain
From Mangrove Mountain pumping station to bottom of Shepherds Gully and return.
This is another group's preferred starting point for GNR rides, the only downside is the rather dubious route across the pumping station weir to start/finish.
Mooney Mooney from Brieses Rd
Tough Mooney Mooney ride incorporating 'The Bucket' first then the trail by the Creek. Four big climbs and especially tough way to finish.
This ride includes a lot of firetrail, some of it pretty technical due to the nature of the rough surface. A great challenge!
There's also the creek crossing to contend with... probably not a good idea after heavy rain:
