There are two different courses for the Mountain Bike stages of the Freycinet Challenge, which take you into the Coles Bay Conservation Area and the Freycinet National Park.
The courses follow a combination of fire trails and 4WD tracks that lead you to some beautiful and remote locations. There are some challenging climbing sections on the courses, but you are rewarded with some epic downhill action where you can get some serious speed. There are plenty of jumps too, if you want to get some air-time! The trails could be wet, so you should expect it to be muddy in some places.
As with all the other stages, you are responsible for your own wellbeing when racing. Carrying your own hydration and nutrition is highly recommended.
Mountain Bike: Day 1
Stage: 4
Distance: 17.56 kilometres
Elevation Gain: 555 metres
Terrain: Fire trails and renovated 4WD tracks
Equipment: Mountain bike (gravel bikes are not permitted)
Note: All the 4WD tracks inside the National Park have recently been renovated, so this course has changed since it was used in 2023.
After departing the Village Green, you ride out to Coles Bay Road - crossing the road and heading onto the 4WD track that takes you up and around the front side of Telstra Tower Hill. Follow the trail past the Parks & Wildlife Service workshops and climb your way towards Cape Tourville Road. At the boom gate, which is next to Cape Tourville Road, turn left and follow the 4WD track towards Bluestone Bay. There's a hefty climb coming up, so get your legs ready! You'll go through an intersection - keep going straight ahead towards Bluestone Bay (there will be Race Officials here giving you directions). After descending into Bluestone Bay, turn around and head back to where you came from. When you get back to the intersection, turn left and head towards Cape Tourville Road. When you get to Cape Tourville Road, turn around and head back to the intersection. Turn left at the interestion and follow your tracks - heading back towards the Village Green at Coles Bay. After all the climbing, you are rewarded with some speedy descents on your way back to the finish line.
There will be race officials and SES personnel positioned along the route to help keep you on track and they'll be there for assistance, should it be required.
Riders will need to keep left at all times to avoid on-coming cyclists.
Mountain Bike: Day 2
Stage: 7
Distance: 21.76 kilometres
Elevation Gain: 524 metres
Terrain: Fire trails, rough 4WD tracks, stream crossings
Equipment: Mountain bike (gravel bikes are not permitted)
Note: This course might be changing in 2025, which is subject to approval from the Parks & Wildlife Service. Watch this space!
Starting at the Village Green, you'll head out on the Telstra Track in a northerly direction. When they intersect South Friendly Beaches 4WD Road you'll turn right and follow the 4WD track in an easterly direction, which eventually leads you in a northerly direction again. The trail is rough and it gets pretty technical in places, with some hard climbs and tricky descents. There are some speedy descents too. The trail will lead you past a lagoon, until you reach the turning point at the southern end of Friendly's Beach. Take a moment to look at the beach. It's a magical place!
You will then retrace your route, taking a slight detour that leads you into bushland behind the Coles Bay village, known as Telstra Tower Hill (if you did Day 1, you've been here before), and there's just one more climb to do before you descend again - making your way back to the Village Green.
There will be race officials and SES personnel positioned along the route to help keep you on track and they'll be there for assistance, should it be required.
Riders will need to keep left at all times to avoid on-coming cyclists.
Other stages
Take a look at the other stages of the race:
