Those who love exploring Hobart's bushland parks will have more options this Easter, with the opening of four kilometres of new tracks behind Knocklofty Reserve in West Hobart.
Those who love exploring Hobart's bushland parks will have more options this Easter, with the opening of four kilometres of new tracks behind Knocklofty Reserve in West Hobart.
The long sought-after connection between Knocklofty and the foothills of Kunanyi/Mt Wellington will be popular with mountain bike riders, walkers and trail runners.
The trailhead for the new Knocksofty Track starts just below the summit of Knocklofty Reserve, where the shared use track winds its way gently down into McRobies Gully.
The dry open forest is beautiful and you'll get superb views of Kunanyi/Mt Wellington through the tree canopy as you skirt your way down into the gully.
The track then levels out as it takes you through a patch of wetter forest just below Noahs Saddle.
Knocksofty is great for anyone on a bike, out for a bushland walk or a trail run and will connect you with even more trails to explore in the foothills of Kunanyi/Mt Wellington.
Catch the swing set
The new tracks include an intermediate mountain bike only track starting at the top of Main Fire Trail called the Swing Set Track.
Part of the City of Hobart’s Riding the Mountain plan, the Swing Set swoops along the ridgeline towards The Slides trailhead, and features jumps, rock gardens and drops to challenge riders.
Once you reach the bottom of the Swing Set Track you can take the new Knocksofty Track all the way through to Knocklofty Reserve.
Swing Set is a bike only, downhill-only track that parallels the New Town Fire Trail, creating the chance to hone your skills by riding it over and over again.
The new tracks – more than four kilometres in total - solve a gap in Hobart’s recreational trail network, creating a link between the western edge of the city and Wellington Park.
Matt Pearce takes a run on the new tracks.
First on the trail
We gave Matt and Bianca Pearce, who regularly run or walk the tracks and trails on Kunanyi/Mt Wellington, an early look at the new routes.
“Trail running for me connects me to others,” says Matt. “It introduces me to new people, new trails as well.
“I haven’t really experienced what Knocklofty has to offer so I’m really excited about getting out here on the trails and enjoying it with everyone else.
“Hopefully it entices people to explore a little bit further and allows safe passage as well. That’s the main thing, trails like this are very safe to use and the more people on them is magic.
“It certainly does look like a fun one to run. The terrain looks perfect for both walking and trail running. Nice flat, soft, sandy, curvy lines.
“Being right on the doorstep it allows a quick transition from our everyday life to get out in the bush.
Bianca loves everything about being out in the bush. The fresh air, animals, scenery and views of the mountain.
“It looks great. I can’t wait to actually run on it. Lots of loops and turns and nice and soft for prams as well, for families. Yeah, I can’t wait to get out on it.”
Bianca loves being in the bush for the fresh air and scenery.