Tassie Trails

There is a dense network of trails criss-crossing the Kate Reed Reserve and it really is best enjoyed by pointing your wheel down the main trailhead and just exploring. For those looking to push themselves there are some dedicated tracks available and families with kids could equally enjoy riding down to the duck boarded area and having an explore.   Basically get in there and enjoy yourself.  This park has something for all levels.

Connecting together some of the most accessible off-road riding trails around Kingston, this loop is a great way to discover some trails close to Hobart and plant the seed for further exploration.
There are plenty of great views, beautiful, quiet trails, with a bit of technical fun, and even a bit of history all thrown in. Cap this off with a great downhill run at the end to take you home.  This is one of my favourite rides close to Hobart.

The Lime Bay Nature Reserve is seldom visited, but contains a surprisingly large network of  trails linking together some beautiful beaches and lagoons with some great convict history thrown in to boot.  These trails provides excellent riding options for both the family through to the hardcore cyclist looking for a hard workout along some tough sandy trails.  The route described here  tries to get you around to most of the best spots in the park, but the reserve is compact enough that you can just go out  there, point your wheel down a trail and go and explore.

Maria Island makes for a great overnight cycling trip, allowing you a chance to not only explore the more commonly visited sites on the Northern Island, but also a chance to head down to the much less visited Southern Island, and spend a wonderful night at Encampment Cove.
The route described below sets aside the first day for a leisurely exploration of the Southern end of the Island on the first day, overnight camping at Encampment Cove, and then a walk up Mt Maria and exploration of the more visited Northern end of the Island on the second day.  However, once on the Island, you can mix and match the rides to your own liking.
Maria Island has an amazing abundance of wildlife, so it can be worth taking a good torch for a bit of a night time look around.

If you're heading over to the West Coast, then this would have to be the number one ride on your agenda.  The route follows an old railway line through some beautiful forests to the 114m Montezuma Falls.  The route can be broken into a number of sections from a short (11km) out and back ride along a gentle, easy to ride trail from the Northern end of the track though to a 55km out and back epic starting and ending in Zeehan.

The core of the ride is the 14km section (each way) from Melba Flats to Montezuma Falls where you'll get to play in the mud, race 4WD's, plunge through deep washouts and really get some serious mountain biking in.  Finally, for the well prepared and adventurous the final 8kms from Melba Flats to Zeehan crosses through button grass plains providing expansive views which you'll have plenty of time to enjoy as you push, bash and swim your bike along what was once a railway line.

The Peter Murrell Reserve, on the southern edge of Kingston, contains a network of tracks which are available to mountain bikers.  This route basically takes you on a circuit around the park and would be a good ride option for families looking for a day out with the kids with its easy to moderate riding and with dams, bush and wildlife to explore.

This short ride follows a section of the Tasmanian Trail from Railton to Sheffield and is on an old railway line for most of the way.  As such the trail makes for fairly easy riding as it passes through surprisingly pleasant bushland, plantations and farmland.
Railton and Sheffield make great places to explore, as do Sykes Sanctuary and Stoodley Plantation along the way.

Currently being upgraded to a proper rail trail, this section of abandoned railway line between Tonganah and Legerwood will soon be an excellent and easy ride for all riders as it weaves its way through some amazing cuttings, and contrasting forests.  Combined with occasional glimpses out over the valley below, and a bit of history lying on the side of the track this makes an excellent half day ride.
This route describes a circuit which allows you to explore the railway line, but also utilises some trails and the major (but infrequently trafficked) A3 Highway.

A new 6km mountain bike loop has been constructed at the Tahune Airwalk, though only half of it is new single trail with the return journey mainly along gravel roads.  The  outward journey includes some fun riding through nice forest and alongside the river with chances to explore sites less visited by the crowds.

The Tangara Trail is an almost invisible web of interconnecting trails between Seven Mile Beach and South Arm.  It often weaves between property boundaries and heads along quiet rides as it wends its way through beaches, bush and sandy trails.  The trail is manageable for most cyclists and of course if you print off the free map from the website, you can ride as far or as little as you want.
The route described below knits together some of the best sections of the trail, but throws in a few extra bits as well to make a nice figure of eight ride that will give even the most experienced cyclist a good day out.