Awaba

Destination overview

Awaba is a trail network of contrast, made up of three main XC loops topping out a little over 12km in length, and a 3.2km DH trail named Monkey. More recently, the Hunter Mountain Bike Association has added a handful of gravity trails and an adaptive loop.

Ride the loops

The XC loops at Awaba officially came online in the late 2000s and have been a mainstay for riders living on the Hunter Region ever since. With a serpentine shape, the entire 12km loop can be subdivided into three smaller routes thanks to a few shortcut trails. These trails have played host to many a stage of the Port to Port, and there is a marvellous mix of technical features and flow — all on a blue rated trail.

The full 12km is called the Awaba loop, the middle 8km ride is known as Watagans Loop, and the Olney Loop is a quick 5km. Each is well signposted with coloured arrows, and it would be quite a feat if you could get lost here.

Awaba has trails for adaptive riders too, with two loops designed for handcycles stemming from the Jenkins road carpark.

Gravity and DH

Dropping off Mount Faulk Road is the infamous 3.2km Monkey downhill. This nationally recognised DH course is where Jack Moir cut his teeth and is notorious for its brain-rattling rock gardens. This trail is rough and steep right from the gun, and it’s not for the faint of heart.

For those who aren’t keen on rattling all of their fillings loose, the Hunter Mountain Bike Association has built an additional three blue-rated gravity trails.

Mount Faulk Road is a public road, and it is usually open for private shuttles — if you can get a mate to drive. After a 12-month closure, due to a massive landside the road is once again open. If you can’t convince any of your mates to drive, Granted Ride is out there most weekends running shuttles with four hour sessions available.

About an hour’s drive from both Newcastle and Gosford, the trailhead has a toilet, and that’s about it, so pack some snacks and plenty of water. If you do need something, point your ship towards Toronto or Morisset.