Trailing off
Published on 07 May 2024
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Here in Lake Mac we have an abundance of places to stretch your legs, with the lake surrounded by riding tracks (from easy to adventurous). We profile our top seven tracks as voted by our locals.
1. Fernleigh Track
The classic ride. Not quite a hidden gem, but the Fernleigh Track is one of our most popular and iconic trails. The 15-kilometre route follows a disused coal haul rail line. Spanning many suburbs, the track takes in the Glenrock State Conservation Area, Awabakal Nature Reserve and Belmont Wetlands State Park. Its famous tunnel is a favourite with kids and serves as the connection point between Lake Macquarie and Newcastle.
Fitness level: Easy
Recommended time: 1-2 hours round trip.
2. Awaba Mountain Bike Park
The place to try out mountain biking. Opened in 2019, this 12km cross-country loop plays host to top-shelf MTB races, but is equally accessible for beginners. It features a 3km downhill track, an all-abilities gravity trail, an all-mountain trail and a flow trail. Bridges, shade structures, seating and trail heads can be found throughout. It’s perfect for beginners as well as a more experienced rider.
Fitness level: easy-difficult
Recommended time: 3+ hours
3. Toronto to Fassifern
The perfect bike ride for kids. Spanning 4km, the scenic Fassifern to Toronto Greenway starts near Fassifern train station and runs around Fennell Bay, finishing at Edward Gain Park on the shores of Lake Macquarie. There’s plenty of bushland to see as it winds along beside the old railway tracks and if you wander down into one of the cleared areas, you get a great view of the lake with plenty of wildlife to spot.
Fitness level: Easy
Recommended time: 30 minutes
4. Glenrock mountain bike trails
The must-do track for mountain bike riders. Glenrock State Conservation Area provides more than 34km of trails, making it a full day adventure. The network of tracks will take you through open forest and woodlands, along the spectacular coast and up lung-busting hills with a view. The trails are graded – green circle for beginners, blue square for intermediate and black diamond for advanced, so there is something for most abilities. Biking trails are all signposted. Trail maps are installed at each major entrance.
Fitness level: Medium
Recommended time: 3 hours-all day
5. Holmesville mountain bike trails
The something-for-everyone mountain bike track. The Holmesville mountain bike tracks were built by Lake Mac locals and feature single-track and double-tracks as well as a beginner set of trails suitable for riders of all skill levels. The main trail loops are all easily repeatable for an extended workout. Alternatively, combine these trails with the nearby Killingworth trails for a much bigger ride.
Fitness level: easy-difficult
Recommended time: 2+ hours
6. Booragul to Belmont
This 18km route passes through the suburbs of Booragul, Speers Point, Warners Bay, Eleebana, Valentine and ends at Belmont, offering access to the Museum of Art and Culture Lake Macquarie, Warners Bay foreshore precinct, Speers Point Park and the Variety Playground.
Pair a ride with swimming, picnicking, bushwalking or sightseeing while enjoying beautiful lake and mountain scenery. The Booragul to Belmont shared pathway incorporates the Red Bluff Shared Pathway, a 380m elevated boardwalk with viewing decks over the lake at Eleebana.
Travelling from Eleebana to Belmont requires on-road safety skills and should be explored by experienced cyclists only.
Fitness level: medium-difficult
Recommended time: 3 hours – all day
7. Wangi Wangi
The lakeside ride. Wangi Wangi Bay offers a scenic ride great for watching yachts and sail boats come and go. You’re almost guaranteed some wildlife on the lake and the opportunity to go at a relaxed pace. Those with energy to burn can continue by road to Wangi Point for swimming, bushwalking, picnic areas, a playground and toilet facilities – not to mention the beautiful views.
Fitness level: Easy
Recommended time: 30 minutes – 1 hour
We have created a cycle routes planning map to help keep our community informed on how our strategy is progressing.
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