Mt Narra MTB Trails

Overview

Mt Narra is the Northern Beaches' main mountain bike trail hub, sitting on the bushland fringe of Garigal National Park between Narrabeen, Ingleside and Belrose. Riding is tight, natural sandstone singletrack threaded through dense eucalypt forest — roots, rock shelves, drops, gap jumps and short, punchy descents off Sydney's signature sandstone benches. The network is gravity-leaning and predominantly black / double-black; most trails are not beginner-friendly, though a handful of blues (Beam Me Up, Happy Ending, Rockn Robyn, Vovós) offer milder lines.

The trails are entirely unsanctioned — built and maintained informally by riders over many years, with the Garigal Gorillas MTB Club (founded 2017) now leading advocacy to formalise the network through Northern Beaches Council and NSW NPWS. A 2017 Change.org petition gathered over 3,200 supporters; formalisation negotiations are ongoing but not concluded as of 2026. Riders should be aware that the network exists in a legal grey zone within Garigal NP and on adjoining council land.

The main staging area is Deep Creek Reserve on Wakehurst Parkway, North Narrabeen — free 60-bay carpark, public toilets, picnic facilities. Alternate access points exist off Mona Vale Road (Ingleside) and Forest Way (Belrose).

Location & Access

• Address: Deep Creek Reserve, Wakehurst Parkway, North Narrabeen NSW 2101 (primary trailhead)
• Region: Northern Beaches, Sydney
• Drive times: ~35 min from Sydney CBD; ~15 min from Manly; ~20 min from Mona Vale
• Public transport: Limited — B-Line bus to Narrabeen then ride/Uber; no direct PT to Deep Creek carpark
• Parking: Free, sealed, ~60 bays at Deep Creek Reserve; smaller informal pull-offs on Mona Vale Rd and Forest Way
• Coords: -33.7080, 151.2750 (verified)

Best Season & Conditions

• Peak riding season: Year-round — Sydney's mild climate means no shutdown season
• Wet-weather impact: Sandstone trails become slick and muddy after rain — local etiquette is to avoid riding for 24–48 hours after heavy falls to protect the unsanctioned trail surfaces
• Fire-danger / total-fire-ban impact: NPWS may close Garigal NP on severe fire-danger days (typically Nov–Mar); check NPWS alerts before riding
• Snow / alpine season: N/A
• School-holiday surge: Weekends and school holidays busy, especially summer mornings; midweek quiet

Managing Body & Trail Builders

• Land manager: Northern Beaches Council (Deep Creek Reserve) & NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (Garigal National Park)
• Trail builder / maintainer: Garigal Gorillas MTB Club (founded 2017) — advocacy and informal maintenance; trails are not officially sanctioned
• Volunteer / dig days: Regular trail maintenance days/nights organised by Garigal Gorillas — see club website for schedule
• Donations / membership: Garigal Gorillas memberships from