Andersons Trail

Map Ref: Jamison 8930 - i - S

Dist: 31km
Tech: 3
Overall: 4

A classic trail in the lower Blue Mountains. Going from Wentworth Falls to Woodford along a well maintained 4wd trail, Andersons is an interesting trail within the abilities of beginner to intermediate cyclists. There is only one large up hill and not very technical overall. It is one of the more interesting trails in the Blue Mountains and can be connected to the Oaks Fire Trail to make for a longer day in the saddle. A good ride to get away from it all and see some of the best that the blues has to offer.

Starting from the Wentworth Falls train station head back toward the city along the highway looking out for the right hand turn off to Kings Tableland Road and Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital. It's a flat start with a decent downhill to the hospital where the road splits - take the left hand turn. Straight ahead will lead to Kedumba Pass and Jamieson Valley - big downhill - big uphill return.

Keeping left at the hospital the road goes from well maintained to pretty average but still well defined. This is not a closed road so keep an ear out for fast moving 4wds and even bigger wombats. This is the start of a undulating downhill that will eventually end up at the Warragamba Dam in the National Park. Approximately 5km into the main trail from the hospital is the left hand turn to Andersons Trail. Its well sign posted but set slightly back from the main road and midway through a downhill so keep a look out for the left hand intersections. If your getting wet and hassled by rangers you have gone to far.

Go through the gate at the top of the rise and take the first turn to the right. The trail straight ahead leads to a dead end. Welcome to Andersons Trail. From here the trail follows the contour of the ridgeline heading East in a generally downhill direction making for easy riding on wide trail. The vegetation ranges from tight eucalypt bush to more open sandy scrub (not that any of this is normally noticed on some of the downhills).

The bushland opens up occasionally to offer a view left across the valley to the creek below and Williams Ridge on the other side. Nearing the end of the ridgeline the road opens up to rocky 4wd track and heads rapidly downhill - keep a hand over the brakes for the sharp left hander as you approach the base of the descent. This is probably the most technical part of the ride and normally in poor condition so take it easy if you are unsure.

At the base of the descent you cross Queen Victoria Creek then right across Bedford Creek. Both are easy crossings but you should check with the NPWS if there have been any heavy rainfalls before venturing onto the trail. Nice place for lunch and quiet break before killer uphill. The track to the left prior to crossing Bedford Creek is a steep little number to Murphys Fire Road on Williams Ridge that will eventually take you the long hard way back to Wentworth Falls. Not recommended as you do all those downhills in reverse.

Cross Bedford Creek then uphill on Murphys Fire Road (Andersons intersected with Murphys at the creek). Its very steep but rideable on a good day. At the gate near the top go left to head to Woodford (about 5km), then onto the Oaks Fire Trail or train ride back to Wentworth Falls. The trail right leads to Murphys Glen picnic area but again involves a steep climb out.