Understanding the Noosa Trail Network
What Makes the Noosa Trail Network so Unique
One of Australia’s Great Riding Networks
The Noosa Trail Network is one of Australia’s largest and most diverse recreational trail systems, comprising hundreds of kilometres of interconnected trails, forestry roads, management tracks and quiet country lanes stretching throughout the Noosa Hinterland and surrounding regions.
Built for Exploration
Unlike purpose-built mountain bike trail centres focused on technical features and short loops, the Noosa Trail Network is about exploration, journey and immersion in the landscape. The network links forests, ridgelines, farmland, waterways and country towns including Cooran, Pomona, Kin Kin and Boreen Point, allowing riders to experience an incredible variety of scenery in a single ride.
Located Within the Noosa Biosphere
The network passes through ancient forests, productive farmland, volcanic landscapes and remote wilderness areas within the Noosa Biosphere Reserve. The constantly changing terrain and scenery create a sense of discovery that is rare in many riding destinations.
A Different Style of Mountain Biking
For many riders, the Noosa Trail Network represents a different style of mountain biking. It is less about technical challenges and more about adventure, exploration and experiencing the remarkable diversity of the Noosa Biosphere.
The Best Way to Experience the Noosa Trail Network
The Challenge of the Network’s Size
The scale of the Noosa Trail Network is one of its greatest strengths, but it can also make it difficult to experience the best riding on a traditional day trip. While the network can be accessed directly from Noosa, riders often spend a significant portion of their day travelling to and from the hinterland, collecting vehicles after rides or completing loops in similar landscapes, rather than exploring the variety it offers.
Why We Use a Point-to-Point Format
That’s why our self-guided mountain bike adventures use a point-to-point approach. We transport riders and their bikes deep into the hinterland before providing professionally designed GPS route maps that guide them back towards Noosa through some of the most scenic sections of the network.
More Riding, More Discovery
Starting in locations such as Pomona and Kin Kin allows riders to spend more time riding and less time on access trails. The result is greater scenic diversity, more rewarding descents, a stronger sense of adventure and a far more immersive experience of the Noosa Biosphere.
Transfers, GPS Navigation and Local Knowledge
Combining rider transfers, route planning and local knowledge, our tours unlock experiences that would be difficult for most visitors to organise independently, allowing you to simply arrive, ride and explore.
Point to Point Transfers
Unlock the Best of the Noosa HinterlandWhether you’re looking for a single-day adventure or an epic multi-day journey, By Earth & Ocean offers a range of rider transfer and logistics services designed to unlock the best of the Noosa Trail Network and Noosa Biosphere.
Choose Your Adventure
Choose from our self-guided mountain bike adventures, join a fully guided experience on our Noosa Biosphere Trails e-Mountain Bike Tour, or immerse yourself in a curated multi-day adventure with our Guided Multi-Day Journey.
Custom Transfers and Local Knowledge
Looking for a custom transfer, route recommendation or something a little different? Contact us and we’ll help create the perfect Noosa Hinterland riding adventure.
Our Top 5 Noosa Trail Network Rides
Peak to Peak (Intermediate)
34.3km | ↑ 333m | ↓ 465mJourney between two of Noosa’s most iconic volcanic peaks as you ride from Mt Cooroora to Mt Tinbeerwah through forests, trails and hinterland landscapes. A rewarding point-to-point adventure designed for confident recreational riders seeking scenery and exploration.
Peak to Peak is one of the most achievable rides in our collection, linking two of Noosa’s most iconic landmarks — Mt Cooroora and Mt Tinbeerwah. While still an adventure ride requiring confidence on natural surfaces, it features less elevation gain and gentler gradients than many of our other hinterland routes.
The ride follows a combination of gravel roads, management vehicle tracks and forest trails as it winds through dense forests, rolling countryside and quiet hinterland landscapes. Riders can expect a variety of surfaces, but generally smoother terrain and more forgiving climbs than our more challenging routes.
Designed for confident recreational mountain bikers, Peak to Peak focuses on scenery, exploration and immersion in the Noosa Biosphere, with regular views of the region’s distinctive volcanic peaks and ever-changing natural environments. It is an excellent introduction to point-to-point adventure riding and the wider Noosa Trail Network.
Country Towns & Canopies (Intermediate)
47.2km | ↑ 465m | ↓ 784mStarting high in the hinterland, this scenic adventure links the charming country towns of Cooran and Pomona with dense forests, flowing descents and spectacular hinterland scenery. A full day of exploration through the heart of the Noosa Biosphere.
Country Towns & Canopies builds on the Peak to Peak experience, offering a longer and more immersive journey through the Noosa Hinterland. Starting high in the hinterland, the ride takes advantage of significant elevation loss to deliver some fantastic descending as you make your way towards Noosa via the charming country towns of Cooran and Pomona.
The route follows a combination of gravel roads, management vehicle tracks and forest trails, weaving through dense forests, open farmland and quiet rural landscapes. Riders will enjoy constantly changing scenery, regular views of the surrounding volcanic peaks and opportunities to stop and explore the hinterland’s iconic country towns.
The opening descent is one of the highlights of the ride, providing an exciting start for confident riders. An easier alternative is available for those who prefer a less challenging option, allowing the route to remain accessible to a wide range of intermediate riders.
While longer than Peak to Peak, the route remains focused on exploration, scenery and adventure rather than technical trail riding, making it a rewarding choice for confident recreational mountain bikers seeking a full day of discovery in the Noosa Biosphere.
Everglades Vistas (Advanced)
56.2km | ↑ 759m | ↓ 1,080mExplore the remote Kin Kin hinterland on a journey through dense forests, working farmland and spectacular ridgelines overlooking the Noosa Everglades. Big views, long descents and constantly changing scenery make this one of the region’s most memorable rides.
Everglades Vistas takes riders deep into the Kin Kin hinterland, exploring some of the most spectacular and lesser-known landscapes within the Noosa Biosphere. This rewarding point-to-point adventure combines dense forests, rolling farmland, remote ridgelines and sweeping views across the internationally significant Noosa Everglades.
The route follows a mixture of gravel roads, management vehicle tracks and forest trails, with constantly changing scenery providing a true sense of exploration and discovery. Riders can expect extended sections through towering forests, quiet rural landscapes and working farming country, punctuated by stunning viewpoints overlooking the vast wilderness of the Everglades and surrounding hinterland.
Several long descents add to the excitement of the ride, creating a rewarding balance between climbing, scenic cruising and flowing downhill riding. While not highly technical, the route is best suited to fitter and more experienced riders due to its distance, elevation and remote nature.
For riders seeking big views, varied terrain and a deeper exploration of the Noosa Hinterland, Everglades Vistas delivers one of the most memorable adventures on the network.
Forest, Farms & Noosa (Advanced)
64.5km | ↑ 810m | ↓ 1,130mVenture deep into the forests surrounding Woondum National Park before descending through remote hinterland landscapes, rolling farmland and spectacular ridgelines. Featuring two of the network’s most exciting descents, this is a true adventure for experienced riders.
Forest, Farms & Noosa takes riders deeper into the Noosa Hinterland and the rugged landscapes surrounding Woondum National Park, creating one of the most rewarding and scenic adventures in our collection.
Starting high in the hinterland, the route combines gravel roads, management vehicle tracks and forest trails as it traverses dense forests, rolling farmland, remote ridgelines and spectacular viewpoints. Riders are treated to some of the most expansive vistas on the network, with regular views across the surrounding valleys, volcanic peaks and forests of the Noosa Biosphere.
A major highlight of the route is its inclusion of two of the network’s most exciting descents. These longer, steeper downhill sections reward riders with flowing riding, stunning scenery and a genuine sense of adventure. While not highly technical by mountain bike standards, they require confidence on natural surfaces and the ability to manage speed and line choice on steeper terrain.
With its combination of epic descents, remote landscapes, ridgeline views and constantly changing scenery, Forest, Farms & Noosa is ideally suited to experienced riders seeking a bigger adventure and a deeper exploration of the Noosa Hinterland.
Rockpools & Ridgelines (Advanced)
81.2km | ↑ 1,356m | ↓ 1,675mDescend through the forests of Woondum National Park to the stunning Mothar Mountain Rockpools before tackling big climbs, epic descents and panoramic ridgeline views. This challenging hinterland epic rewards strong riders with some of the most spectacular scenery in the region.
Rockpools & Ridgelines is one of the most challenging and rewarding adventures in our collection. Featuring big climbs, big descents and some of the most spectacular scenery in the Noosa Hinterland, this ride is not for the faint-hearted.
The journey begins with a dramatic descent through the forests of Woondum National Park, winding down towards the beautiful Mothar Mountain Rockpools. From there, the route climbs back over the range before traversing the rolling farmland surrounding Kin Kin and a series of spectacular ridgelines that provide panoramic views across the Noosa Biosphere and beyond.
Riders can expect a diverse mix of forest trails, management vehicle tracks, gravel roads and rural backroads. The combination of significant elevation change, extended climbs and long descents creates a physically demanding ride that rewards strong riders with incredible scenery and a genuine sense of adventure.
With dense forests, remote valleys, working farmland, hidden swimming holes and sweeping ridgeline vistas, Rockpools & Ridgelines showcases some of the very best landscapes the region has to offer. Best suited to experienced riders with a good level of fitness, it is a true hinterland epic.
Ready to Ride The Noosa Trail Network?
Book a self-guided gravel riding experience and discover the best of the Noosa Hinterland through stunning point-to-point journeys back toward the coast. Enjoy turn-by-turn navigation, transfers to scenic hinterland start points, premium bike hire options, GPS units, local ride knowledge, and everything you need for an immersive Noosa gravel adventure.
Understanding The Challenge
The Noosa Trail Network and surrounding hinterland offer a unique style of mountain biking focused on exploration, distance and adventure rather than highly technical trail riding. Riders can expect a constantly changing mix of forest trails, management tracks, gravel roads, farmland access roads and occasional singletrack.
While most routes avoid advanced technical features such as large drops, jumps and rock gardens, the challenge comes from the variety of terrain, distance, elevation and changing surface conditions. Riders should be comfortable riding on loose gravel, uneven surfaces, steeper climbs and descents, and natural trail conditions that can vary significantly with weather.
Some routes are achievable for most confident recreational mountain bikers, while others involve longer distances, greater elevation gain, more remote terrain and a higher level of fitness and self-sufficiency. We recommend selecting a route that matches both your riding experience and fitness level to ensure the most enjoyable adventure.
Is the Noosa Trail Network Suitable for Gravel Bikes?
The Noosa Trail Network can certainly be explored on a gravel bike by experienced riders. However, many sections feature rougher surfaces, steeper climbs, loose terrain and trail conditions that are generally better suited to mountain bikes.
For gravel riders, the wider Noosa Hinterland offers some of the best gravel riding in Australia, with an extensive network of quiet backroads, forestry roads, rolling farmland, volcanic landscapes and spectacular point-to-point adventures linking towns such as Kin Kin, Pomona, Cooran and Boreen Point.
If gravel is more your thing check out these amazing Noosa gravel bike routes:
