Munda Biddi Trail by bike

Munda Biddi Trail Cycle Route - Western Australia
Distance
about 1,070 km (665 miles)
Country
Australia
Difficulty
Moderate to challenging
Type of trip
Cycling route

The Munda Biddi Trail is a marked off-road cycle trail running about 1,070 km through the south-west of Western Australia, from Mundaring in the hills 34 km east of Perth to Albany on the south coast. It opened end to end in April 2013. Parks and Wildlife (DBCA) manages it together with the Munda Biddi Trail Foundation, and Munda Biddi trail markers show the way. The name means "path through the forest" in Noongar. It’s mostly rail trail, single track and forest roads: from Mundaring to Manjimup the surface is red pea gravel, and further south it’s loam and fine white sand. The Foundation recommends some mountain-bike or gravel-riding experience.

Between towns there are free trail campsites in the forest, roughly 40 to 60 km apart. Each has a sleeping shelter, rainwater tanks (treat the water), tent sites, a toilet and bike storage. The campsites are fuel-stove only, with no fire pits, so carry a stove. Food is only available in the trail towns, and the first one, Jarrahdale, is 103 km from Mundaring. Diversions are common, so check DBCA’s Park Alerts and the Munda Biddi Trail app before and during your ride. Near Jarrahdale, part of the trail has been moved away from a shooting range, and the Foundation’s route updates page lists this and other changes.

Highlights along the way

  1. Jarrah forest of the Darling Range: the northern third, from Mundaring through Jarrahdale and Dwellingup to Collie, is on red pea gravel through jarrah forest.
  2. Donnelly River: an old timber-mill village that marks the halfway point.
  3. Walpole and the Valley of the Giants: the tall red tingle trees here grow almost nowhere else. A recent realignment put 10.3 km of new single track through Walpole-Nornalup National Park near Valley of the Giants Road, where the Tree Top Walk runs 40 m up among the trees.
  4. Denmark: near the town the trail shares 3.2 km of the extended Wilderness Ocean Walk.
  5. Albany: the finish, on Princess Royal Harbour off King George Sound, and the oldest colonial settlement in Western Australia (1826). Transwa coaches link Albany with Perth.

Distance

About 1,070 km from Mundaring to Albany (the Foundation gives both 1,072 km and 1,067 km). You can also ride it in sections between the trail towns.

Best time to go

Late March to November. The Foundation and DBCA strongly advise against riding from December to February, when the south-west can have several days in a row above 35 °C and bushfire risk is high. June to August is cool and wet, with fallen trees and standing water, but still rideable with good rain gear. September to November brings wildflowers.

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