Wombat
Wurundjeri and traditional owners
Quick info:
In a Nutshell:
- A small network of two connected singletrack trails forming a 17 km loop
- Nice intermediate level XC hand-cut trails though the forest with a bit of variety and some fun features
- A few drops and chutes, but nothing too tricky other than navigation sometimes
Network size:
17 km waymarked singletrack
Our rating:
2/5 MTB Fist Bumps
Facilities:
Trail difficulty:
Relatively easy intermediate trails
Suits riders:
Not really for beginners
Bike chooser:
MTBs that can go rough and go uphill
Trail Maps:
Local clubs:
Where is it?
By car:
About 60 minutes from Melbourne on the M79, C792 then a gravel road to the tailhead
By PT:
V/Line train to Woodend (Bendigo Line) and then it’s an 8 km ride to the trails
Description:
The Wombat State Forest trails near Woodend have been around for a long time and host the annual Shifty Fifty Classic race.
Not so much of a trail network as a couple of trails joined into a figure of eight loop, but it is worth a visit if you’re in the area.
Loop 1 is around 11km and is a reasonably demanding XC/trail loop suitable for intermediate to advanced riders. Loop 2 is around 6km and more suitable for novices.
Both trails have varied terrain and they’ve got a great hand-cut, traditional XC feel to them. They make good use of the terrain and relatively limited vertical metres to give some decent descents. There are also a wealth of small features and light technical sections to keep things interesting.
Wombat used to be a mud-fest in the winter, but upgrades and track armouring has made the trails much more sustainable and rideable all year round.
There’s a map at the central car park and the trails are marked along the route. However, navigation in some sections can be a bit tricky due to the warren of other tracks intersecting the marked trail.
No real facilities at the trailhead, so take everything you need in and everything you take in, out.
Page last updated: 20/7/26