Split Rock climb, new trail diverting past the treatment plant - photo Glen Jacobs
World Trail has commenced work on several important new linkage trails that will better connect the comprehensive network of cross-country mountain bike trails that have been steadily developed at Mt Buller over the past five years. This will include two new trails connecting the Mt Buller Village to the Skills Park area, a new trail connecting Copperhead with the Village and some minor works on Skyline, improving the ride to the top.
Arguably the most exciting of these developments is the creation of two linkage trails, called Split Rock, which will connect the Mt Buller Village with the Skills Park area. These trails will bypass the existing fire road at the waste water treatment plant, an important feeder trail to the Corn Hill area, Stonefly, Delatite River Trail and more. This area is currently a long, tough climb to the Mt Buller Village, which will soon make way for two trails: a short descent from Gang Gangs trail to the Skills Park, and a climb consisting of a series of snaking switchbacks, plus a 40m boardwalk section, that connects with the Village Family Trail. Those familiar with Mt Buller will appreciate the new linkage is ‘a breath of fresh air’ in the trail network.
Another trail to be constructed this summer is a new link that will connect riders from Copperhead back to the Village, avoiding the arduous climb up the road. Named Snowgums, this trail crosses the road at Tip Corner and brings riders back onto Gang Gangs. World Trail has also realigned some sections of Skyline, creating an easier climb back to the top of Copperhead. These trails will create a giant loop around the mountain, presenting mountain bikers with a challenging new ride.
Director of World Trail, Glen Jacobs, who along with his team has been responsible for building the intricate network of trails at Mt Buller over the past five years, said these improvements are essential for the ever-expanding trail network on Mt Buller. “These new trails are critical in linking the vast network of singletrack we’ve worked hard to develop over the years. It is really exciting to see these new linkage trails that will replace old fire roads and give riders an even better experience here at Buller. This is the year we’ve been waiting for and it’s fantastic to see all the pieces come together in Buller’s development plan.
“We’re also very excited about further network enhancements planned for next summer, including a trail called Woolly Butt, which will link Picnic Trail to Stonefly, representing the final piece of the puzzle that is Buller’s XC network. Woolly Butt will consist of a sensational descent that will be even longer than the descent on Stonefly, and will remove the need to ride on any road or file trail to get to Stonefly.”
Over the coming weeks, World Trail will also spend time polishing Mt Buller’s signature wilderness trail, Stonefly, and the iconic Delatite River Trail. The team will work on improving drainage and a range of other minor tweaks on Stonefly, and head down to the Delatite Valley to undertake reshaping alignments and flow on the iconic Delatite River Trail, improving the rider experience on both trails.
The first stage of the trail improvements will be completed in March, in time for Mt Buller’s signature mountain biking event, the Bike Buller MTB Festival, happening on March 10-12. The remainder of the works will be complete by the end of the summer period in April.
Framework for the 40 metre boardride on Split Rock - photo Glen Jacobs
For further information on Mt Buller’s extensive cross-country trail network, visit mtbuller.com.au.
