Centre Track   (3.30km)

Notes:

Centre Track is a 3.3km fire trail that runs from the National Parks booth at the top of Liberator General San Martin Drive at the intersection of McCarrs Creek Rd and reconnects with Liberator General San Martin Drive near West Head Rd.  The southern (top) trail head is just on the other side of the National Parks Booth, the northern (bottom) trail head is approximately 300m along Liberator General San Martin Drive from the intersection with West Head Rd.  Why Coal and Candle Drive is called Liberator General San Martin Drive?

Centre Track is a very popular trail with XC riders who link the trail with the Duckholes Track, Chiltern Track and even the Perimeter Trail and Long Track which then opens up a massive XC ride from Oxford Falls if you link in the St Ives and Belrose trails.

Centre Track can be ridden both ways however it seems to be quite common to use Centre Track as the climb up and Duckholes as the descent in a large McCarrs Creek Rd loop.

1km road ride - From the top of  Duckholes to the top of Centre (slight descent)
2km road ride - From the bottom of either Chiltern or  Duckholes to the bottom of Centre (climbing most of the way)

This video is shot from the bottom up.

The northern end has a really steep climb that some mountain goats may have the ability to climb but it was well and truly beyond me.  Coming back the other way you will want to be VERY confident on steep rough climbs with drops before attempting.  Take it easy!

The climb is tough, it took around 2.5 minutes to hike before I was able to get on the bike and ride. From there the track continues to climb for another 1.5km until a large rock plateau at the top of the hill.  This is a great place for a break and a wander around.

From the plateau to the top the trail undulates with some often taxing, long but doable climbs and fun rolling descents.

Generally the trail surface is in pretty good shape, while there are some sandy sections they aren't too deep nor very long.  With the exception of the hill at the northern end there are very few ruts and the loose rocks are quite small.

With the exception of the steep north end this trail is relatively easy, a step up from the Perimeter Trail and Long Track but not as difficult as Duckholes.

There is limited parking at the south (top) end of the trail just outside the National Park booth or alternatively at the top of McCarrs Creek Rd.  There is no parking at the north (bottom) end with the exception of a few places outside the National Parks Booth 2km from the trail head.

Blog articles that mention this trail

• 28/6/2015 - VIDEO: 365 Days of Reign - The Third (year of serious mountain biking)
• 1/1/2014 - 2013 Another Year of #FAIL

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