Mountain Biking and Trail Running in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland: Where to Ride and Run

The Sunshine Coast is far more than its famous beaches when it comes to outdoor sport. Head a short distance inland and you find yourself in a hinterland of volcanic peaks, rainforest gullies, ridgeline tracks and eucalyptus forest that is tailor-made for mountain biking and trail running. The Glass House Mountains are the defining landmarks of this landscape, and the network of tracks in and around them draws riders and runners from across South East Queensland every weekend.

Mountain biking on the Sunshine Coast is anchored by several well-regarded trail networks. The trails around Parklands and the Glasshouse Mountains area offer a mix of cross-country and more technically demanding singletrack suited to intermediate and experienced riders. The Mapleton and Montville areas in the hinterland provide excellent riding on quieter roads and firetrails with sweeping views across the coast. Local mountain biking clubs, affiliated with Cycling Australia and Mountain Bike Australia, organise regular group rides and can point new riders toward trails that match their ability.

Trail running has grown rapidly in the hinterland over recent years. Events like the Glasshouse 100 trail ultra have brought national and international attention to the quality of the terrain, and a strong local trail running community now organises regular group runs, training sessions and shorter events through the year. The Mapleton Falls area, the Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve near Maleny and the walking and running trails within the Noosa National Park are among the most popular trail running destinations, combining challenging terrain with outstanding natural scenery.

For beginners wanting to try mountain biking, several hire and guided ride operations on the Sunshine Coast offer full-day and half-day experiences that include bike hire, helmet and a guided introduction to trail riding. These are an excellent way to sample the terrain before committing to buying equipment. Trail running newcomers are well served by the local running clubs, most of which include hinterland trail runs in their regular weekly schedule and actively welcome beginners.

Mountain Bike Australia and Cycling Australia's websites carry club directories and trail maps for the Sunshine Coast region. The local council's walking and trails pages also list maintained tracks in council reserves. Checking trail conditions through local clubs before heading out after wet weather is always recommended, as the hinterland soils can become slippery after rain.

Sources: Mountain Bike Australia Sunshine Coast Council trails Cycling Australia

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