ride mountain
Following our awesome opening weekend of the trails on August 3/4, we've put together some FAQs following feedback and observations:
Q. Where is the Trail Head?
A. Moore Street, Creswick - search for Hammon Park, Creswick
Q. The Trail Head carpark is full, where else can I park?
A. Lots of options:
In town:
Behind the visitor centre (1min ride), at the train station (2min ride), on weekends there is a large carpark at the top of Water street that is part of Melbourne Uni (30sec ride), or along Raglan St (30sec ride).
Out of Town:
St Georges Lake - main carpark, overflow carpark and at the top of the lake. All of these are right on the trail network and its just a short ride around to the gravity trails.
There is also VERY LIMITED space at the 'mini-trail heads' in the Wood Coupe and Cosgrove zones. This is informal parking on the side of the road so we don't recommend it, but recognize that people have been parking there already.
Q. What trails are available?
A. Everything in the map below. They range from shared & beginner (orange & green), to advanced (black). Lots of progression available, but always take it easy on your first run. Feedback has been that G9 (blue) is closer to black.
Q. Are walkers allowed on the trails?
A. Yes, on some and that is marked on the official trail map. Be aware though that this has been a long time coming and the local community may be interested in seeing what has been done. Be polite, continue on your way and they will soon work out were they can and can't walk. Any issues, report it to the Council.
Q. How do I access the trails from the trail head?
A. 2 options:
1. Follow St Georges Lake road around and go past the barriers
2. Or you can take the S1 connector to the top of the skills park, and then follow St Georges Lake rd around past the barriers.
Be aware that St Georges Lake road is open to traffic up until the barriers so exercise extreme caution as shuttles are already operating and local traffic use the road. The S2 connector trail is on the map but does not yet exist and we hope that it will be built to remove riders and walkers away from traffic. This has been raised with Council, but it would be great if you could too (see last FAQ)
Q. Is there a map of the network?
A. Yep, we've included the official one below. Take a screenshot and save it you your phone. There is also signage, including maps out on the network.
Q. Are there shuttles?
A. Yep, just search for Creswick Shuttles on facebook. People also do their own private shuttles so for that reason, be super careful when riding on St Georges lake road. If you are shuttling, please be mindful (and respectful) of the local residents. It is our recommendation that everyone rides up to the top but understand that's not the preference of everyone. There is a track alongside the pine forest that completely removes the need to come back into town. Use this track instead of St Georges Lake rd if you can.
Q. Are there rubbish bins on the network?
A. There are rubbish bins at the Trail Head but no-where else. As most of the network is a State Regional Park, please take out what you brought in and don't litter.
Q, Why were there cars on the closed road around St Georges?
A. The short answer is, because its a popular road and locals haven't really been informed adequately about it. There are permanent barriers installed, but exercise caution.
Q. I can't find the official trail website?
A. Yeah, we can't remember how to spell it either. Just come to our website and follow the link here. Much easier to remember.
Q. Is there mobile phone coverage and how will emergency services know where we are?
A. The vast majority of the network has coverage. It can get a bit patchy out in the Cosgrove area but ride to the top of the nearest track and you should be good. We strongly advise downloading the Emergency+ app as that will provide a exact location to emergency services should you require them.
Q. I see an issue, how do I let someone know?
A. All trail signage has a QR code that you can scan and notify the trail manager (Hepburn Shire Council). That's the quickest way. We've included a link here (it can be a bit of a process)
Q. Where is the Trail Head?
A. Moore Street, Creswick - search for Hammon Park, Creswick
Q. The Trail Head carpark is full, where else can I park?
A. Lots of options:
In town:
Behind the visitor centre (1min ride), at the train station (2min ride), on weekends there is a large carpark at the top of Water street that is part of Melbourne Uni (30sec ride), or along Raglan St (30sec ride).
Out of Town:
St Georges Lake - main carpark, overflow carpark and at the top of the lake. All of these are right on the trail network and its just a short ride around to the gravity trails.
There is also VERY LIMITED space at the 'mini-trail heads' in the Wood Coupe and Cosgrove zones. This is informal parking on the side of the road so we don't recommend it, but recognize that people have been parking there already.
Q. What trails are available?
A. Everything in the map below. They range from shared & beginner (orange & green), to advanced (black). Lots of progression available, but always take it easy on your first run. Feedback has been that G9 (blue) is closer to black.
Q. Are walkers allowed on the trails?
A. Yes, on some and that is marked on the official trail map. Be aware though that this has been a long time coming and the local community may be interested in seeing what has been done. Be polite, continue on your way and they will soon work out were they can and can't walk. Any issues, report it to the Council.
Q. How do I access the trails from the trail head?
A. 2 options:
1. Follow St Georges Lake road around and go past the barriers
2. Or you can take the S1 connector to the top of the skills park, and then follow St Georges Lake rd around past the barriers.
Be aware that St Georges Lake road is open to traffic up until the barriers so exercise extreme caution as shuttles are already operating and local traffic use the road. The S2 connector trail is on the map but does not yet exist and we hope that it will be built to remove riders and walkers away from traffic. This has been raised with Council, but it would be great if you could too (see last FAQ)
Q. Is there a map of the network?
A. Yep, we've included the official one below. Take a screenshot and save it you your phone. There is also signage, including maps out on the network.
Q. Are there shuttles?
A. Yep, just search for Creswick Shuttles on facebook. People also do their own private shuttles so for that reason, be super careful when riding on St Georges lake road. If you are shuttling, please be mindful (and respectful) of the local residents. It is our recommendation that everyone rides up to the top but understand that's not the preference of everyone. There is a track alongside the pine forest that completely removes the need to come back into town. Use this track instead of St Georges Lake rd if you can.
Q. Are there rubbish bins on the network?
A. There are rubbish bins at the Trail Head but no-where else. As most of the network is a State Regional Park, please take out what you brought in and don't litter.
Q, Why were there cars on the closed road around St Georges?
A. The short answer is, because its a popular road and locals haven't really been informed adequately about it. There are permanent barriers installed, but exercise caution.
Q. I can't find the official trail website?
A. Yeah, we can't remember how to spell it either. Just come to our website and follow the link here. Much easier to remember.
Q. Is there mobile phone coverage and how will emergency services know where we are?
A. The vast majority of the network has coverage. It can get a bit patchy out in the Cosgrove area but ride to the top of the nearest track and you should be good. We strongly advise downloading the Emergency+ app as that will provide a exact location to emergency services should you require them.
Q. I see an issue, how do I let someone know?
A. All trail signage has a QR code that you can scan and notify the trail manager (Hepburn Shire Council). That's the quickest way. We've included a link here (it can be a bit of a process)
