GlenrockDestination overview
Just 10min from Newcastle’s CBD, Glenrock takes riders through an expansive conservation area, with trails winding through vibrant green coastal rainforest and plays peekaboo with pristine beaches.
Ride Glenrock State Conservation Area
Glenrock’s origin is the familiar story of illegal trails being built through the bush. Instead of waging war with the trail fairies cutting this singletrack, Parks NSW sought to formalise and manage them properly, in collaboration with the Glenrock Trail Alliance. Parks brought in professional trail builders to tidy things up, and the result is 14km of high-quality, sustainably built singletrack.
Glenrock doesn’t have a massive amount of vertical drop but uses the topography of the area wisely to maximise the flow of the trails, and also means you can cut quick laps of your favourite descents. The network is primarily green and blue rated XC trails, but there are a few black descents like Bj’s Surprise — everything is well signposted, even Gilligan couldn’t get lost here.
The main loop leaves from the carpark on Gun Club Road, and takes riders on a 7km tour of the coastal rainforest, best ridden in a clockwise loop. It’s a beautiful ride showing off what Glenrock has to offer, but there are quite a few gems not directly connected to this main route, like the Deluge descent, that are well worth the detour.
On the whole, Glenrock isn’t overly technical, which is why it’s such a popular place for families to ride together. The dirt here is a bit skatey, so for more experienced riders, throw in a few extra pedal strokes, stay off the brakes on the descents and test the limits of those side knobbies — smiles are guaranteed.
Events, views and brews
Nestled between nearby trail networks like Redhead and Whitebridge, Glenrock hosts a stage of the Port to Port each year, and Rocky Trail Entertainment regularly holds XC events here.
Being so close to the coastline, we rate Glenrock for its views. You’ve most definitely seen photos of the infamous Glenrock Table with Burwood Beach in the background, or the corner of Snakes and Ladders where the gap in the bushes reveals Leggy Point.
Glenrock is quite literally 5km from the centre of Newcastle, and everything you could need is close by, from bike shops to breweries.
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Great spot for some light trail/XC riding with undulating terrain. Tracks can feel a little slow on an all mountain/enduro bike so you are better off going to the more gravity oriented riding spots in the area like Ohrimbah or Awaba if you are riding a longer travel bike.