Sparrow HillLast Update: 20/11/2015

Notes:

We highly recommend downloading Kowalski's Trail Buddy app from the Google Play or App Store which has built in GPS tracking so you can see where you are while on the trail. As the quality of this app is high so we're not going to create maps on our site. Sparrow Hill also has a great website with downloadable maps and plenty of info www.sparrowhill.info.

DON'T FORGET - This section contains Sparrow Hill trails - check out our East Kowen section for all the trails on the other side of the car park.

Sparrow Hill has a large network of short trails that link well with each other. On trail signage is good and includes directions for a Short Loop (16km), Long Loop (40km) and Archery Loop (15km) - with the Long and Archery Loops having options to shorten or extend. Each trail section is fairly short and on average will only take about 5 mins to complete. We've created play lists for the 3 main loops, they also include alternate trail options. We've also created a play list containing all trails.

At the time of writing (June 2015), we've now covered all the trails listed on the Sparrow Hill maps - all riding in the direction outlined in the 3 loops.

All trails run in both directions and you are constantly reminded of this with plenty of on trail signage. While most riders will probably follow a loop, the trails are all bidirectional. On the whole visibility is excellent so if you’re looking ahead you shouldn’t run into any sticky situations with on-coming riders.

The trails are not overly technical and with the exception of a few on the Archery and Long Loops are very moderate in their gradient, any rider with basic mountain bike skills should be able to safely ride the trails on the Short loop. The trails flow well and you can knock out some kms in quick time, however they take you a fair way from the trail head so make sure you have all the necessary spares and tools.

On our first trip we rode the Short Loop and it was ok, however on the next trip I rode the Long and Archery loops and there is no question they have the best trails. In the loop lists below I've marked my favourite trails with a (*) - most are descents .. I like descending.

While there is a pit toilet not far from the gate there is no water on site at all, you must take water in with you.

The main parking lot is about 1km along Sparrow Hill Road which runs off Kings Highway (it’s the same turn off as Kowen Forest). The trail head is off to the right over the fence and is well signposted, you shouldn’t miss it.

Sparrow Grade

It is very hard to write any meaningful trail notes as each trail has subtle nuances rather than distinctive characteristics. I have however included a rating system to provide a bit of insight into each trail.

The grading has 4 categories (climb, descent, corners and trail roughness), each category has a grading between 1 (low) to 4 (high), however this grading is a relative comparison of trails within Sparrow Hill, for example an Climb Grade 3 would barely rate a mention at other trail centres.

As mentioned above all trails are bidirectional but we have classified the ascents and descents by the direction we rode following the various loops.

*Favourite trails

Favourites by Category

Descents:Big Wednesday, Lickety Split, Rock & Roll, Creek Run, Home Run, Spaghetti

Climbs: Blue Lagoon, The Trig, Tuff Titties  but Meetballs 1, Cole's Climb, Meatballs 2 is *the* climb to do

Other Experiences:  Pig Hollow & Heavy Cow Loop, Dog Stirred, Nutcracker, Out the Back, Nutcracker, Disco Duck Rock & Roll Brake Dance

Blog articles that mention this trail

• 17/6/2016 - VIDEO: The Fourth 365 Days of Reign - My 4th year of Mountain Biking
• 27/2/2016 - VIDEO: Top XC Rides of 2014/2015
• 27/2/2016 - Finding Bruce Ridge and Loving It!
• 20/11/2015 - Exploring all of Sparrow Hill and the East Kowen Forest
• 28/6/2015 - VIDEO: 365 Days of Reign - The Third (year of serious mountain biking)
• 21/6/2015 - The New Majura Pines and Sparrow Hill Trip

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