Munda Biddi Trail: Everything you need to know
The mountain biking cousin of the 1000km long Bibbulmun Track, the 1050km Munda Biddi Trail runs between Mundaring in the Perth Hills and Albany on the south coast.
Taking in forests, old rail trails, farmland, cosy towns and a section of the coastline, this is a great (and fast) way of exploring the south west.
What is it?
The 1050km trail was completed in 2013 and is the longest continuous off-road cycling trail in the world. Perfectly setup for bike packing and day trips, you’ll find yourself on a mix of single track, fire trails, abandoned rail formations and backcountry roads as you traverse a variety of landscapes over the length of the trail.
Passing through plenty of towns along the way, you can recharge, refuel and enjoy some well-earned comforts after a long day of riding. Between towns where the distances are too long to travel in one day, you’ll find well equipped campsites with a three-sided shelter, water tanks, toilet and undercover bike parking.
Where is it?
Starting at Sculpture Park in Mundaring, the trail takes you through the forests of the Darling Scarp as you head south towards the towns of Jarrahdale and Dwellingup. From there you ride towards Collie through what’s left of the northern Jarrah forests and then you hit the heartland of the South West.
Exploring the farmland and wineries of the Ferguson Valley, you reach Boyanup, Donnybrook, Jarrahwood and then Nannup, each providing a place to rest and refuel. Entering Karri country, you pass through peaceful Donnelly River Village, Manjimup, Quinninup, Pemberton and Northcliffe. From here you reach the slightly wilder side of the Munda Biddi with longer stretches between the towns of Walpole, Denmark and your final destination, Albany as you reach the fresh air of the coast.
What to do:
Being a dedicated long distance bike trail, the best way to experience it is from the saddle of a mountain bike. It’s not a technical trail that has jumps or steep descents with the main focus being distance and enjoyment. A full end to end journey takes the average rider about 3-4 weeks to complete including rest days along the way. A full bike packing setup with multiple bags attached to various parts of your bike is the best way to travel if you want to complete an end to end and the relative closeness between towns means you only have to carry a small amount of food between resupply points.
If you don’t have the time to complete a full end to end then the abundance of access points makes it perfect for a day ride or a weekend adventure. Several enjoyable sections that can be completed in a day include Mundaring to Brookton Highway (49km), Jarrahdale to Dwellingup (75km), Jarrahwood to Nannup (27km), Pemberton to Northcliffe (45km) or Denmark to Albany (75km). The possibilities are endless and once you are comfortable on a bike then you’ll want nothing more than to head out and explore as much of the trail as you can.
What not to do:
As with all trails that visit our natural spaces, adhere to the Leave No Trace Principles meaning don’t leave any rubbish out there, don’t pick wildflowers and try your best to look after the trail (i.e. no ripping big skids). The Munda Biddi campsites are deliberately without fireplaces so do not go building your own as the consequences for the land could be catastrophic.
Anything Else? If you’re looking to get into bike packing or want to know a little bit more about gear, what to expect or how to prepare then visit the Munda Biddi Trail Foundation website.
About the author:
Mark (The Life of Py) is a Perth based outdoor enthusiast that loves exploring the trails of Western Australia in his free time. When he isn’t out taking photos he is busy planning the next adventure. See more of his content here.