The Ultimate Forrest Mountain Biking Itinerary: Where to Ride, Eat, and Stay

First things first, head over to the Forrest Southern Mountain Bike Trailhead Skills Park. You’ll find a big asphalt pump track, perfect for kids and adaptive riders, plus three skills lines and two jump lines for beginners and intermediates.

If you’re new to Forrest or just starting out, consider easing into the trails with one of the “easy” options to get a sense of the area and what lies ahead for your day.

The Forrest Loop fits the bill perfectly. It’s a spacious, shared walking and mountain biking trail that’s great for beginners. Starting from the trailhead, it takes you through to the new Flow Trails and then down to the West Barwon Valley. With its gentle curves and flowing sections, it’s a fun ride for newcomers. And for those with a bit more experience, it’s sure to get you revved up and ready for more action ahead.

If you need an energy boost during the day stop by Forrest General Store for delicious homemade treats. It is also where you will be able to stock up on any essentials.

If you are ready for a bigger challenge, take the Barlidjaru trail! It branches off the Forrest Loop, passes by Barwon Dam, and makes its way most of the journey to the Lake Elizabeth car park. This 6 km climb also links you to upper, middle, and lower sections of the Red Carpet trail. You can choose to follow it all the way to the Lake Elizabeth car park, or switch over to Red Carpet Upper. The Upper section starts with a scenic route through lush ferns, then dives into a thrilling descent through drier bushland. Known for its speedy downhill stretch, Red Carpet Upper is a must-try in Forrest, packed with jumps, banked turns, berms, and tricky off-camber sections.

After a day full of action on the Southern Trails it’s time to check in to your accommodation for the night. You’ll feel right at home at Forrest Guesthouse in the centre of town.

If you can drag yourself away from the comfort of the guesthouse head down the street to Forrest Brewing Company for a well-deserved dinner and a local brew. Whether you arrive in biking gear or dressed to the nines, everyone is embraced in this intentionally casual setting. It’s a place where families, dogs, beer enthusiasts, and cyclists all feel at home.

If you don’t have the energy to move very far after your day of biking then you are in luck because right at the front of Forrest Guesthouse is Dar Teta. With a focus on Mediterranean and Palestinian cuisine, you can expect food prepared with love and care in a warm, welcoming environment. Our tip is to take up the offer to ‘Trust Teta’ and be delivered five courses of Teta’s choosing.

Fuel up and get ready for a day on the Northern Trails Network. A good warm-up is Barre Warre – Yaugher’s family-friendly loop. This high vantage point looks down on the Barwon River valley taking in the view back over the Forrest Township and is a favourite among locals.

Ready for more? The Yaugher Super Loop is Forrest’s longest trail and it provides access to the entire Yaugher trail network. It is a mixture of single-track and fire trails with a full range of trail features, all with A and B lines. It is fast-paced with lots of obstacles and you’ll be feeling the burn in no time at all.

So, you’ve seen a lot of the Otways as you have been on the trails but you haven’t yet seen the Otways from above. In under an hours drive from Forrest you can be at Otway Fly Treetop Adventures. Get ready for some serious fun with breathtaking views of the Otway Ranges! You can stroll along the 25-meter-high elevated walkway or zip through the trees on the Zipline Tour, reaching heights of 30 meters.

While you are in Forrest you absolutely have to visit Lake Elizabeth. Picture this: towering trees surrounding serene waters, dotted with the eerie remains of drowned trees from over 50 years ago when the valley was flooded creating this unique gem.