This section is to keep you up to date with the status on various trail projects. It will be updated on  regular basis, if further information is required please drop us a note by email via the contact page.

APRIL 2012 UPDATE

Murray To Mountains Rail Trail MTB Trail

The first 6km of the Flametrees easy graded mountain bike trail along the Murray To Mountains Rail Trail has been completed for some time now and is a great ride. Some of this trail has encroached into Parks Victoria Reserve and at the moment we are working on legalising these encroachments and the possibilty of extensions into Parks area. We have also mapped the existing trail and are formulating an official procedure for trail extentions. This trail borders Parks Victoria Reserves in sections and is controlled by the Department of Sustainabilty, Murray To Mountains Rail Trail Committe of Management and a Technical Committee with members from Wangaratta Shire, Indigo Shire and Alpine Shire. As such a formal approach to advise all parties of works has be followed and strict construction guidelines have to be met. Now that brown snake season is pretty much over we will be extending the trail from the existing starting point back up to Diffey Road carpark. We will need a heavy duty mower which we'll hire and some muscle to smooth things, expect to see a working bee request very soon.

The Warbies National Park Friends Trail

Work has been underway for some time with Parks Victoria to reroute and rebuild sections of Friends Track and convert it into a multi use ride and walk track. The background work on this trail has been huge with audits on Cinnamon Fungus spread having to be completed as well as careful planning to avoid fragile flora. All of this has come at a high expense to Parks Victoria and we thank them for their cooperation, a lot of work has been put in by many even prior to any trail work commencing. Parks Victoria have already provided funding for trail signage, tools and sterilisation materials which are required to stop the spread of of the fungus that has caused so much dieback in the area. The trail has been marked and is awaiting final approval but to gain this a comprehensive Cultural Heritage survey has to be completed. The cost of this is prohibitive at the moment and we are looking at avenues for funding and consequently this project is temporarily on hold.

Beechworth Mountain Bike Park

 The Park has held up well over the Summer months with heavier than normal downpours and a lot of use. Maps have been updated at the front and a new one situated at the start of Secret Track so that users can orientate themselves at this point. Trail name markers have also been added to the sign posts. Normal maintenance is now being done in preparation for the Six Hours In the Saddle in May.

 The 1.5km Easy Graded green loop is being well used and is a great way for people to introduce newcomers to the sport and is a great warmup prior to bombing the full cross country loop. The loop has been designed with an incease in obstacle size and type as you progress to encourage learning new skills.

The Intermediate grade cross country loop is pretty much completed with most of the eroded and non sustainable sections rebuilt with only a few corners to be armoured to increase sustainabilty. This loop is around 10.5km and is a good quality ride with lots of terrain variation.

The short course downhill has had a fair bit of work and a more interesting route already sorted and more work in progress. The old route still has to be rehabilitated and some sections improved to make the ride more flowy and exciting and extra B lines built to increase the level of variety. This will also give safe options for lower skilled riders. Work will be carried out on this trail over the next few months.

When funds permit the car park and front area will be revised and and the jumps track given a tickle up to reduce erosion at the lower end, the long term plan is to have a composting toilet, water tank and a small shelter as well.