8 of the most beautiful hiking and biking trails in regional NSW

New England High Country has long been known for its beautiful landscape, but is finding favour as a new adventure playground. Whether on foot or bike, see it before the crowd.

Stretched across the highest plateau of the Great Dividing Range, the beauty of New England High Country nature is quickly cultivating a reputation as an adventure playground. Consisting of the city of Armidale and the towns of Tenterfield, Glen Innes, Inverell, Guyra, Uralla and Walcha, the wide open plains, dramatic gorges, granite fields and cascading waterfalls, make this a paradise for those who like to hike, bike and play in big sky country.

But the secret is getting out. A big part of New England High Country’s appeal to outdoor enthusiasts is that you can have a truly seasonal experience: whether it’s the winter frost, spring wildflowers, summer swims in waterfalls or autumn leaves, the seasons shift the landscape and experience of High Country.

Jump on your bike, or lace up your shoes.

New England is developing into a biking epicentre, buoyed by the widespread success of the locally-driven Gravel n’ Granite road races, and the announcement of the new specially designed Angry Bull Trails out of Tenterfield, which will consist of 174 km of Mountain Biking Trails being built by 2025. The New England Rail Trail has also generated excitement, with plans afoot to transform an unused stretch of rail line between Glen Innes and Ben Lomond.

These initiatives are just the start of an adventure playground opening up to visitors: here are eight of the most beautiful hiking and biking trails to explore in New England High Country.

Enjoy biking trails for all levels.

1. New England High Country 1000

Location: New England region, beginning Armidale.

Distance: 1063 kilometres

Difficulty: Best suited to experienced riders; the route takes in gravel country roads, river crossings and steep descents- as well as a remarkable 16000-metre elevation gain over the distance travelled.

Created by locals who love to ride, the New England High Country 1000 is the region’s big lap: a 10 to 14-day bike-packing circumnavigation around the high country. Along the way, riders sample the best of the area’s townships, environment and wilderness. Expect to cycle through old-growth rainforest and granite country, along open plains and past historic townships, with breaks for supplies every few days.

Ride gravel country roads, river crossings and steep descents.

2. Tourist Drive 19

Location: Armidale to Uralla Loop via Mihi

Distance: 83 kilometres

Difficulty: Best suited to Intermediate to experienced riders. While mostly paved, there are some steep gravel sections along this route and the distance requires some endurance.

Known as the local’s loop, this ride heads south from Armidale, losing most of the road traffic as it turns off for Dangar Falls. Passing historic Deeargee Woolshed, break your ride up with lunch in Uralla, before looping back north to Armidale.

Take a ride around the outskirts of Uralla.

3. Walcha Gravel Ride

Location: Walcha

Distance: 76 kilometres

Difficulty: Best suited to Intermediate to experienced gravel riders, with 83 per cent of the route on gravel.

Get your legs pumping with the Walcha Gravel Ride that rolls past Walcha’s historic stockyards, before heading out on gravel and crossing the MacDonald River, passing through the tiny town of Woolbrook, and then climbing upwards to get a great view of the Moonbi Ranges.

Take a breather by the MacDonald River.

4. Billarimbra Lookout

Location: Tenterfield

Distance: 96 kilometres

Difficulty: Relatively easy for those with cycling experience and a good level of fitness, expect some gnarly descents.

A great day route for cyclists wanting to stretch their legs, the Billarimbra Lookout route includes steep descents and long ascents into and out of the forest. Don’t forget to cool down on the second part of the ride with a wild swim at a number of swimming holes.

5. The King’s Loop

Location: Glen Innes Highlands, King’s Plains and Kingsland

Distance: 64 (short loop) or 113 (long loop) kilometres

Difficulty: The short loop offers a great entry-level ride for beginners; the longer loop is for intermediate riders with more experience on gravel.

Start out early on this ride along a mix of gravel and dirt roads through the Highlands of Glen Innes. The King’s Loop short route starts in Wellingrove, while the longer route kicks off from Glen Innes. The route is located in a high-wind area (with a series of windmills lining the route), so factor these conditions into your ride time.

Head to The Kings Loop for an easy gravel ride.

6. Gibraltar Washpool World Heritage track

Location: Gibraltar Range National Park and Washpool World Heritage National Park.

Distance: 45 kilometres

Difficulty: Suited to experienced mountain bikers, or experienced bushwalkers.

Gibraltar Washpool World Heritage track is a day-long Mountain Bike ride through sub-alpine swamp, eucalypt forest, rainforest and granite tors. Meanwhile, hikers should factor in three to four days along the World Heritage Walk hiking trail that loops through the Gibraltar Range and Washpool National Parks. Complete with historic huts, waterfall detours and campgrounds and side trails if you want to extend your ride.

Explore Gibraltar Range National Park. (Credit: Michael Dawes)

7. Snow Gum Walk

Location: New England National Park

Distance: 1 kilometre

Difficulty: Grade 3 short hike, with some bushwalking experience required.

Don’t let the short and sweet nature of this walk deceive you. The high-altitude Snow Gum Walk hugs the cliff and takes in a small but significant section of the Gondwana Rainforests of this Australian World Heritage Area.

Walk through Gondwana Rainforest.

8. New England Wilderness Walk

Location: Robinsons Knob trail, New England National Park to Darkwood Road, Thora

Distance: 33 kilometres

Difficulty: Leave this one to Grade five experienced bushwalkers:  expect a steep gradient and unmarked, unformed track.

Descending over a thousand metres from the Tablelands to the river, the New England Wilderness Walk is a serious undertaking for even the most experienced bushwalker, complete with river crossings, creek walking and farm trails.

Find incredible views in New England National Park.

Plan your adventure at newenglandhighcountry.com.au.