Woonoongoora Challenge

Location: Springbrook National Park, Gold Coast QLD, Australia

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Run Type: Trail | singletrack, firetrail, stairs, rocky, steep climbing, forest, scenic, creek crossings

Distance: 9.6km return from Apple Tree Park to Chesters Rd; ~ 14km return to Numinbah Village

Total Elevation Gain: 550m (from Apple Tree Park to Chesters Rd return)

Trail Map: To view at full size and/or print; click on the image to open the map, then right click and select 'save image as'. Open the map from the save location to view at full size.

GPS Link: http://connect.garmin.com/course/3370638

Description: A descent following more than 900 steps and steep singletrack down into the valley before a testing climb back up and out to Chesters Rd. This run forms a section of the Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk, and for our Adventure we run it as an out-and-back, meaning that what starts out as a descent of countless steps, soon becomes a challenging climb back out! Directions are from Apple Tree Park heading towards Numinbah Village, although the run is just as achievable starting from the other end. 

Starting from Apple Tree park, head away from the road on the well defined trail. There are a few tracks branching off from the trail in the first 500m or so but you always want to stay on the main trail, which will be signposted with a "Great Walk" arrow. These arrows will be seen several times during your run, and if you're ever in doubt as to where to go simply keep an eye out for the arrow posts and you shouldn't have too many troubles. 

After the first flat 500m you will reach some well formed stairs leading down into the valley.

It's a steep descent from here (over 900 steps!) down to the Woonoongoora walkers camp. From the walkers camp you again follow the arrow signposts which take you further downhill along firetrails towards Waterfall Creek. You will cross Waterfall Creek twice in relatively quick succession before you skirt farmland and come out at a well maintained gravel firetrail heading up and out of the valley. Following this firetrail (and, again, following the arrow markers) you will eventually come out at the end of Chester's Rd.

If you head down Chesters Rd a short way you will quickly come to track step-through gates on both sides of the road (these gates give you access to the Waterfall Creek Circuit, a map of which can be found on one of our earlier posts here). These particular gates give access to the "Long Loop" shown on the Waterfall Creek map; alternatively you can continue down Chesters Rd until you come to another gate on your left, which is the gate to the "Short Loop" on the Waterfall Creek map. Either way, taking the left trails off Chesters Rd will take you down towards Numinbah Village, although the lower trail (the "Short Loop" gate from the Waterfall Creek map) is the "official" Great Walk track and is signposted as such.

For the GPS track link above we turned around on Chesters Rd and simply retraced our steps back to Apple Tree Park, including the 900 or so steps! For the keen, the run into Numinbah Village is nice and involves a fast descent, meaning you can add further climbing on the return journey of the out-and-back run.

The National Parks folks advise that all runners/walkers carry a Great Walks topographic map of the area, and this is wise advice. My additional advice is simply to watch out for the arrow signposts which are quite regular and usually obvious (assuming you are still on course!). If you follow the arrows and keep to the main trails you shouldn't run into too many problems.

This is a run that involves sustained climbing, but it's fun and covers some beautiful scenery if you lift your head long enough to take a look. It's also a great leg workout climbing the stairs and it sure beats using the stepper in a gym. Get outdoors and get dirty!

See you out there!

Polly's Climb

Location: Neranwood, Gold Coast QLD, Australia

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Run Type: Trail | firetrail, hard-packed trail, rocky, steep climbing, forest, scenic, creek crossings

Distance: 12.2km

Total Elevation Gain: 853m

Trail Map: To view at full size and/or print; click on the image to open the map, then right click and select 'save image as'. Open the map from the save location to view at full size.

GPS Link: Every Trail

Description: A testing climb up to the summit, before a fast and furious descent. The only catch for this run is that it's out-and-back, meaning that fast and furious descent turns into a long climb on the return journey! Directions are from the unsealed parking area opposite the track entrance on Gold Coast-Springbrook Rd. Look for the public toilet block next to the river.

From the parking area, cross the road and, staying on the roadside, head a short distance towards Springbrook until you see a Parks gate with a firetrail leading steeply uphill - this is your first indication of what's ahead of you! Step through the gate and begin to ascend the firetrail.

The trail is distinct and easy to follow, and for the next 2km you will be climbing steeply uphill for the most part. Do not follow any of the smaller off-shoot tracks (a number of these are marked with do not enter signs anyway). At the 1.6km mark you will come to a track junction, where you want to take the track to your right and heading uphill (the other option is straight-a-head-ish and looks flat from the junction point - this is shown on the map above).

At the 2km mark you will reach the "vomit log" (not my name for it!) at the summit of the climb. From here it is a steady descent (which is lots of fun!) to Pine Creek and beyond that to Pine Creek Rd. Trail choice again is easy: at each track junction you simply want to follow the most distinct route. Crossing Pine Creek can be tricky (if not impossible) after sustained rain periods, but otherwise it's not too difficult to pick a path across. From Pine Creek it is a short, flattish jaunt to the gated entrance at Pine Creek Rd. The only decision to be made over this stretch of trail is at a 4-way track junction at which point you want to go left. Pine Creek Rd isn't much further along, so if you run for 5mins and don't hit it you've taken the wrong track.

The gate at Pine Creek Rd is the turnaround point for this run. When you turn around; take a breath, tighten your belt buckles and get ready to tackle the steady ascent ahead (you know, that long fun descent you just made!). Retrace your steps exactly as for the outward route all the way back up to the summit. From here, do what you need to at vomit log and pick your way downhill back to the car.

This is obviously a run that involves some sustained climbing, but it's a great run for working on various aspects of your trail running as it has a great variety of terrain. Try and enjoy the views in between your gasps for air!

See you out there!

February Trails with Judd Adventures!

Smoky Cape Track (Little Bay to Smoky Cape RTN)

Location: South West Rocks, NSW, Australia

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Run Type: Trail | Singletrack, firetrail, spectacular coastal views, climbs, rainforest, scenic, creek crossings

Distance: 14.2km

Total Elevation Gain: 615m

Trail Map: To view at full size and/or print; click on the image to open the map, then right click and select 'save image as'. Open the map from the save location to view at full size.

An online map is available on the NSW National Parks website here.

GPS Link:
http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=2020543&code=966677403eecfa47f3a9c18e0d8cdbc7

Description: 

Directions are from Little Bay to Smoky Cape. The run is possible the other way too, with parking available at both Little Bay and Smoky Cape.

Start your run at Little Bay Picnic Area. The trailhead for the Smoky Cape track is on the coastal side of Overshot Dam. This section of trail is easy to follow as the track is distinct and there aren’t any decisions to be made. This first section of running gets steep and sees you on some rocky terrain as you make your way up the hill known as “Little Smoky”. You should hit the summit at about the 1.3K mark.

The descent of Little Smoky is fast and fun and, though it does get rocky and narrow in a few sections, the track is well defined. At 1.9K the singletrack comes out at an open area at the top of Gap Rd, with a sign to Little Bay pointing back up the hill you have just descended. Take note of this for the return journey, as you want to follow the singletrack you’ve just run, not the adjacent firetrail.

Cross the open area and take the “North Gap Beach Management Trail” heading downhill towards the coast (this may be gated closed to vehicles). At the bottom you will arrive at a 4WD parking area for North Gap Beach where there is another track gate; walk around it and continue until you see a picnic table and a very small toilet block. Take the track on your right just before the toilet (some maps have this trail marked as “Rainforest Track”), and 800m later you come to a T- junction at South Gap Beach where you again turn right (left takes you down to the beach). Follow the trail a short way until you come out at another parking area. Climb the steep unsealed access road up to yet another parking area, this time at the end of Gap Beach Rd about 4.2K into the run. Cross the open area, staying left, and you come to another steep firetrail (this is gated closed to vehicles). Follow this uphill for 500m until you come to a track junction. Continuing straight is the Green Island firetrail, and to your right is the Smoky Cape track – this is the one you want. Now on the Smoky Cape track, the trail is self-guiding. Follow the beautiful singletrack all the way to its end at Captain Cook’s lookout, or continue on a little further to take in the view from Smoky Cape lighthouse.

Once you’ve had your fix of stunning scenery, follow your tracks all the way back to Little Bay. Remember at the end of Gap Rd (after climbing the firetrail from North Gap Beach) to choose the singletrack behind the Little Bay sign, not the firetrail to the right of it.

When you arrive back at Little Bay, there is the option to add on a scenic loop taking you north towards Trial Bay Gaol. Follow the directions for the Monument Hill and Powder Magazine tracks for a breathtaking 3km, with spectacular views from numerous vantage points along the way. The NSW National Parks website has further details on these trails.

On Trail with Judd Adventures!

The Nerang Nastier!

Location: Nerang, Gold Coast QLD, Australia

View Nerang State Forest in a larger map

Run Type: Trail | Firetrail, rocky, climbs, forest, scenic, creek crossings

Distance: 17.2km

Total Elevation Gain: 644m

Trail Map: To view at full size and/or print; click on the image to open the map, then right click and select 'save image as'. Open the map from the save location to view at full size.

The Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing have recently released a map outlining the firetrails within Nerang NP and SF and it's accessible here.

GPS Link: http://connect.garmin.com/course/2821216

Description: 

Nerang State Forest comprises three basic types of trails:

1. Wide firetrails, mainly hard dirt with embedded stones and rocks (these are the black solid lines on the map above);
2. Two dedicated mountain bike trails on which runners are not permitted (these are the brown trails on the above map); and
3. Unmarked single track (which is not shown on the above map - you'll need to find these gems yourself...which isn't too hard as they are literally everywhere!)

This trail is a challenging and hilly trail run, but it's well worth the effort and time to explore the trails in Nerang State Forest. The trail marked on the map above isn't too difficult to follow, so long as you are paying some attention to where you are when you meet trail junctions (keeping in mind that singletrack is not marked on the above map - firetrails only!). In the following description the trail names that reference the Judd Adventures map above will be marked in italics - note that the trails are not actually named when you are in the Forest!

• To start the run, enter the velodrome (easiest off Hope St), head across the criterium track, past the hall (keeping it on the left and the velodrome on the right), across the track again to where you will see a step-through in the fence. There is a map on the forest side of the fence showing the dedicated mountain bike trails - if you can't see this you're in the wrong place!
• From the entry point, head right on the main trail. You will initially be running on trail that has forest on one side and the backside of private properties on the other. After about 500m the trail heads north-west and you begin to move away from the residential area. Don't take any side trails on the right hand side during this time - stick to the main trail.
• Over the next 1km or so the trail continues to climb (for the most part), and you will pass a large-ish side trail on your right (marked Coolibah on the map) - keep left and continue in the north-westerly direction.
• At about the 1.7km mark, you will come to another trail junction (marked Castle Hill on the map)  where a track heads off to the right (at about 90 degrees from the track you're on), and another track heads off to the left (this is a bend, but a continuation of the trail you are already on). Take the trail to the left.
• You soon come to a steep section...take a deep breath and tackle it! Once at the top (which you will get to!) you come to a t-junction - go right (heading left takes you down the hill and back to your original starting point).
• The next 1km or so is mostly gentle downhill, during which time you should get your breath back! Ignore any trails off to the right when on this stretch - keep on the main trail.
• At about the 3.4km mark, you again meet a challenging steep section. At the top of this climb you will come to another t-junction (marked A55 on the map) - go left. In going left, you will continue to climb for a little bit, but at a much lesser gradient.
• At about the 4.3km mark there will be a sign on your left marked 'advanced' that points down the hill - ignore it and stay on the main trail to the right (the advance trail is called Rollercoaster on the above map and it is some fun running, but not part of this loop!).
• About 200m on from this you will come to a major trail junction. Go right (this will take you onto the trail marked Kopps on the above map).
• This next bit is fast and fun downhill. Buckle up and enjoy the ride!
• At just over the 6km mark (you should have just crossed over a creek which may or may not have water in it depending on the time of year you run), your downhill fun finishes and you again begin to ascend. There are a few smaller sidetracks on your right during this ascent - ignore them.
• At about 7.4km, you will come to a minor t-junction, although the left hand trail - the one you want - is by far the more obvious. Do the obvious thing and take it! You are now on the trail marked Coombabah on the above map. About 200m on from this there will be a trail that goes off to your right - ignore it and continue straight.
• At just over the 10.1km mark you'll reach yet another t-junction. This one is big and obvious - go left, and you are now back on the trail marked Centre on the above map.
• At about 10.9km there will be a track on your right (Nerang) - ignore it and continue straight.
• At about 11.7km there will be a track on your right (Nathan/Crane) - ignore it and take the left-most option.
• At about 12.3km there will be a trail on your right marked 'advanced' - ignore it and stay on the main trail heading straight (the advanced trail, marked 'Billabirra' on the map, is another fast and fun section - maybe for another day!).
• At about 13.4km you will have a track off to your left, or the option to continue straight - go straight. (the left option will hopefully look familiar as this trail is Kopps - one you ran down earlier)
• The rest is basically back tracking, and so long as you stick to the main trail you won't go wrong. The difference on the return is that at about the 15.7km mark you will take the right turn at the fork junction (the left is the trail you came up at the start of your run - don't take it this time round). From here, follow the trail downhill and at the bottom turn left. You now have a gentle downhill run back to your start location!

The state forest is a big area, and it isn't too difficult to lose your bearings, even on the firetrails, so it's recommended that you run with a friend, carry some water and first aid supplies, carry a GPS device with you if possible (most phones can do this these days) and, at the very least, let someone know where you are going and your estimated time of return. That being said, if you print a copy of the above map, carry it with you on your run, and pay careful attention to where you are at track junctions, you shouldn't go too far wrong.

The best time of day to run in the state forest is early morning when it isn't too hot, as the trails can get mighty dry and warm when the sun is high overhead. You also don't want to run too late if you don't know the area.

Most of all, enjoy it! Nerang SF is a great place to run and work on your trail skills - there is something in there for everyone!

See you out there!