9 replies to this topic

[ChrisCollins]

Hi, I am looking to get some advice on good trail runs that I can do around Melbourne. I participated in the 56km Two Bays Trail run last weekend and absolutely loved it, and would like to find some other places that I can run around Melbourne where there are decent trails.. Places within 50km of the CBD would be preferable, and up to 30km. If anyone has any suggestions I'd be really appreciative - I am open to flat or hilly terrain.

Many thanks

Chris

[SirPlod]

Howdy...

My regular (and favourite) haunt is Lysterfield Lake Park. Plenty of different running, walking and moutain biking tracks, fire trails and roads.

There's nothing more rewarding than finishing a long run early in the morning with the view of the lake as you come down snipe track and over the dam wall justt as the sun is rising.

[Tony123]

There are plenty of good trails in the Dandenongs, and also at You Yangs.  There is currently training run organised in the Dandenongs on the 30th of jan, check out this thread  http://www.coolrunni...showtopic=29871. (post #25)

Edited by Tony123, 21 January 2011 - 12:41 PM.

[maryclaire]

Churchill Park - which is adjacent to Lysterfield - is awesome for lots of good loops and varying terrain.  Rat Trail from Black Rock to Brighton is shorter but a nice coastal run - about 6.75km each direction.  There have been organised runs in The Basin (Doongalla) in previous years - they were awesome!  But I would be afriad to do it alone as I would get lost without a local to guide me.

[ChrisCollins]

Guys - many thanks for the replies. will check out one of these spots tomo!

Thanks

Chris  

[nickoffski]

Hey Chris,
Check out Mount Macedon, there's heaps of good trails up here to link together.
It's about 60k's from the CBD but it's a quick trip out on the Calder Freeway so you can be there in 45mins.

The loop I love to do is:
- park my car at the General Store on Mt Macedon road
- run down Douglas Road and turn right and up the goat track to the cross on the summit - that gives you a climb of about 400m
- follow the walking track along the north/west side of the cafe on top of the mount that runs alongside Cameron Drive - this is a sweet bit of trail with nice undulations and good flow for a fast fun run
- follow the trailup to the Camels Hump and then you can cross over Mt Macedon road and hook up with the trail that leads to Lions Head Rd car park
- this trail ends up at Sanitorium Lake which is a great spot to stop for a drink
- then from the lake pound your way down Zig Zag Trk, Hemphills Trk and then hang a right onto the ridge track to the summit of Mt Towrong
- as you drop down the west side of Mt Towrong there is a great view of Mount Macedon village with beautiful deciduous trees at the right time of the year. It's a bit of a goat trail here over big rocks and steps but it makes for a good thigh burning descent
- once you reach the bottom it's a short run along Anzac Road before you hit Mt Macedon rd again
- hang a left and your car is just a few hundred metres down the hill. Nice.
- best thing is the General Store is right there at the finish and they do great coffee!

From memory all up it's a little over 16k's but there are plenty of options to extend or shorten the run.
There's often snow up there in winter which adds a little magic.

Download a copy of the map for Macedon Regional Park from Parks Vic site before you go.
Link here: map link

I'd be happy to show you loop sometime if you're heading up here.

Cheers, Nick

[RapidAscent]

A few more suggestions here :


http://www.salomontr...#Where_to_train

very general descriptions but pretty comprehensive in terms of where to start looking. Some great runs mentioned and also some 'make dos' ie. not the best trail running but when in the 'burbs, some dirt is better than no dirt

[GB123]

Hi guys,
How are all the trail runs in this thread for beginner trail runners? I've been mountain biking a bit around Lysterfield and I think I'll give that a crack first. Any other advice?

[Cl@rkey]

I guess it would depend on what the limiting factor for a 'beginner' would be.
If its about distance and fitness, that can be self moderated by doing out/back based on how far or how long you want to go - until you find a loop that is suitable.
If its about the 'technical ankle breaking' type terrain and getting used to the variations in footfall etc, most public and well known trails won't really be problems in this regard, but if concerned just slowing down will help with confidence and increase pace as confidence and experience grows.
If its about the 'hills', again just slow down so you know you will get through & if you need to walk the hills, don't stress almost everyone has walked hills at some point when out on the hilly trails.

The biggest trap is to directly compare road running to trail running in terms of "I run Xkm in Xmin" if you find a really great trail times are irrelevant, just go on effort & only worry about times when comparing exactly the same run..... but if like lots of trail runners, you may never run the exact course twice....

[maryclaire]

Lysterfield is a brilliant place to start trail running!  

It sounds like you are already familiar with it.

It is where I first tried to trail run.  As I run trails alone, I was nervous at first.  I printed off a map from the Parks Victoria website.  I also used Garmin Explore to search for a suitable run and uploaded this to my Garmin 310xt.  This was really useful as it kept me from getting lost!

If you want hills, try starting at the Churchill side and run over the Lysterfield via Trig Point.  You can run loops so you can really customise any run you wish.  

I was there just today and had so much fun out there!  Spring is just beginning to bloom in the bush and I really enjoyed it.