Itinerary: Gahnia and Serrata mountain bike trails near Manly

Since Garigal National Park is in the north side of Sydney (around 12km from the city), it’s an easy drive at about 30-40 minutes from the CBD. Manly’s evolved from its tourist-trap days and boasts some serious cafes for a cyclist’s fuel-up, so stop at one of the many options – from the eclectic to the nutritious – for an organic, healthy and delicious brekkie. Don’t forget to order some extras for your backpack since you might need an energy hit later.

With two epic trails and a total distance of 6.5km to explore, you might be asking, “Where do I start?” The answer is really up to you – you can tackle one or both of the Gahnia and Serrata trails, as well as numerous side tracks. For an adrenaline-pumping day out, we recommend starting with the Serrata loop (which clocks in at 2.85km) then heading on to conquer the 2.25km Gahnia trail.

Here’s how to get to each trail head by car:

• Serrata mountain bike trail is accessed via Currie Road in Frenchs Forest: turn onto Currie Road from Warringah Road and head east.
• Gahnia trail can be accessed via Grattan Crescent, Forestville. From Warringah Road (Frenchs Forest), turn on to Bantry Bay Road and travel south before turning right onto Grattan Crescent.

You’ve made it: you’re on the Serrata trail. A crumble of sandstone and a sign mark the entrance ahead of a steep descent through tall eucalypts. Immediately, you’ll notice how much work has gone into crafting these purpose-built trails, created by airlifting or manually carrying sandstone to the paths through tough mountainous terrain.

On its own, Serrata is a short haul, with a steep incline on Cook Street trail closing out the 2.85km loop. Link up with the Gahnia trail for a more intense afternoon of riding, winding 2.25km through dense forest before connecting with the Engravings track for the ride back to Bantry Bay Road. Remember, if you’re accessing the trails from the Manly Dam area, be super careful around the 80km speed limit Wakehurst Parkway – a renowned black spot for cars and cyclists.

Both tracks are 600mm-wide singletrack trails and are rated ‘blue’ or intermediate, and there are several forks in the road which will make even experienced riders take pause.

Before you commit, you can test your skills on the first 50m, at which point you can turn around and settle for the easier shared trails instead; please note once you’re beyond that point, there is no turning back. It’s a multiple-line course and you can do it multiple times if you’re up for doing laps.

The Serrata-Gahnia loop should total about an hour and a half, meaning you’re nearing lunch time. Zoom down Warringah Road a few kilometres to Davidson Park, pick something up on your way there, kick off your shoes and kick back at the little waterside picnic area.

You’ll be gagging for a cold one by now, so end your day back in Brookvale at one of the cool breweries in the area. Just grab a pint of pale ale and relax with a snack or two. You’ve earned it.