East Kowen Forest trail information

Trail features (October 2011) 

Trail type: Exclusively XC

Summary: mainly hardpack singletrack connected by some firetrails.  Minor obstacles for complete novices, nice variety for experts.  Occasional stock gate on firetrail sections to negotiate.

Novice score: 7/10 if unfit (climbs), 9/10 if fitness OK (one steep descent, some roots).

Climbs: mainly shallow grade hardpack, mostly singletrack, some short steep firetrail pinches, some tree roots.

Descents: mainly shallow grade flowing hardpack with long coastable sections, some tree roots.  See below for exception.

Tricky bits: Side Show is a long section of switchbacks on a steep hillside; all rideable but stay alert.  Some roots and a few tight switchbacks.  Slippery in the wet and clay-ish surface retains moisture longer than sandier tracks like Stromlo and Bruce Ridge.

There are absolutely no facilities at East Kowen so stock up at Queanbeyan (coming from Canberra) or Bungendore (coming from the coast).

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There is only one Kowen Forest, and East Kowen is a name given to the part of the Forest at, go on, guess, its Eastern end.  This is to differentiate it from the Northern portion, where a couple of MONT 24 hour races were held in the mid 2000's, and the Western (Sutton Road) side which still hosts CORC club races.  Kowen Forest is a mixture of native trees and pine plantation so expect at some point to see some logging activity.  As at October 2011 there are no imminent plans to bring in the lumberjacks.

East Kowen is described separately from those other areas because it has a network of trails that are compartmentalised from the rest of the forest.  You can easily ride from East Kowen on firetrails and no doubt some singletrack to the other areas, but you're going to have to watch out for moto-cross bikes, a real problem in other parts of Kowen, but not this little patch.  The other side of the coin is that on any ride at East Kowen you're going to have to go climb over a couple of gates.  In my book that's worth the benefit of not having moto's chew up the singletrack here

Whilst there are several old trails in this area, an 18km loop was built in early 2011 to house the MONT 24 hour race by Paul Cole and the Kowalski Brothers, an enigmatic group of underworld trail fairies who build fantastic tracks, leaving only a faint hint of stale beer in their wake.  This original 18km has been extended to 20km with some optional extras, and there is a shorter but excellent 7km loop for those wanting a taste.  The main loop has been ‘built’ to ride anti-clockwise (and this is the way the arrows at the junctions point) but some trails are pretty nice riding both ways.  Once you know your way around you can change your route a bit by backtracking or using some of the firetrails around the place.

There are some trails in here that could well become classics.  Kowalski’s Sideshow is already well known for its steep, tight switchbacks (down!) and is a tribute to Sparrow Hill's much loved, but alas former, classic Bobsled.  If you ride a 29’er or love big fast flat curves, the final 2k’s or so once you hit Sweet Apples MUST be hit in the big ring.  

There are no sustained steep hills, but you'll find short steep pinches and sustained but relatively shallow singletrack climbs.  Of course there are also some excellent descents too.

The long term plans for the Kings Highway southern deviation (the 4 lane highway being built through Sparrow Hill) are to close the Kings Highway at Sparrow Hill, improving the car parking and allowing for trail builders to link Sparrow Hill and East Kowen in the not too distant future.  If riding 60km+ of sweet, native bush and pine forest trails, dodging 'roos and listening to black cockatoos overhead doesn't excite you, nothing will.  Please commence lobbying for barbecue facilities immediately!

Can I ride East Kowen today?

A number of mountain bike events (including The MONT) and, whilst it holds up better than most trails under rain, even weather, can affect the rideability of some of East Kowen's tracks throughout the year. So before you pack the car to head out to East Kowen, check out the following links:

• Rider trail status updates.
• Check The Berm Events page to see if any big events will affect your day at East Kowen.
• Whatever logging and construction work we're told that's happening at East Kowen will appear either here or in the Trail Advocacy group.

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How do I get there?
The entrance to East Kowen is on the King's Highway, the road that takes you from Queanbeyan eventually to Bateman's Bay, or Canberra-On-Sea. About 10km after the climb out of Queanbeyan you'll come to a bend and see the gleam of light reflecting off the cars parked in Sparrow Hill's main car parking area, a dirt area off the main road. While construction work is going on at Sparrow Hill you'll avoid unwanted panel beating bills by parking well away from the gate that leads into the pine plantation.  If the main carpark is chockers, people do park on the verge opposite. If you do this make sure you pull well off the road, and be very careful when slowing to turn as this is a major highway.

If you miss the car park for any reason (you won't) the safest corrective manoeuvre is to head another 2km up the road and turn around at the HQJOC roundabout.

To get to the good stuff once you're parked, ride West along the King's Highway on the left hand side of the road for about 100 metres, when you'll see a couple of gates a short distance down a gravel road.  Climb through the right hand gate (NOT THE PRIVATE LEFT ONE) and ride another 100 metres or so, where you'll get to a junction and pick up the trail signage  Currently this will take you into the pine forest singletrack between two firetrails, and the adventure begins!

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