The Mundabiddi Trail stretches just over 1000km through the south-west of Western Australia, from the Perth Hills in the north, to the southern terminus at Albany. The route encompasses both gravel roads and purpose-built cycling tracks, winding beneath towering karri and jarrah forests, crossing rivers and meandering alongside the dramatic Southern Ocean.

Our journey started from the southern trail terminus in Albany. I had arrived on foot via the Bibbulmum Track and was joined by Ed, Bec and Grant. We had a day or so to prepare our gear before assembling at the official trail terminus to kick off our ride northbound to Perth.

Fine conditions greeted us as we negotiated a combination of gravel roads, groomed trails and fun singletrack on day one. The weather was less cooperative for the next few days, but the scenery and riding made up for it. We spent our first night in one of the purpose-built trail huts, and then wound our way through the magnificent ‘Tingle Tree’ forests on our way to Walpole.

After some spectacular riding through the Walpole – Nornalup National Park and the giant red tingle trees in the Valley of the Giants, it was on to Coalmine beach just out of Walpole for the night. The following day had a mix of open plains, farmland and forest tracks. A highlight was the Swarbrick Art Loop located within the Walpole Wilderness Area. The centrepiece of this outdoor art gallery is the 30 metre long Wilderness Wall of Perceptions – the reflective steel wall featuring quotes and political events relating to wilderness and forest management.

The next few days led us via Northcliffe and Pemberton to a camp in the tiny village of Quinninup. We crossed paths with some friends also bikepacking the trail, but in the opposite direction – a good chance to exchange recommendations over coffee. Beautiful forests, impressive bridges and some peaceful backcountry roads made for great riding and relaxing.

After our overnight stop at Quinninup, we rode hut to hut each day, stopping in the little villages and towns along the way for coffee, snacks and any necessary restocking. Despite being September and peak riding season we often either had the shelters to ourselves, or had the company of just one or two others. As well as the sleeping platforms, all the shelters had nice designated camping sites and we never felt overcrowded.

There was more overnight rain, some damp morning starts and plenty of ‘jacket on, jacket off’ conditions in the second week. Also days of flowing doubletrack, tranquil rural roads, tall forests and some steep and tricky singletrack. Southbound riders generally reported that the northern sections of trail had been slower and tougher than expected. We’d gained some fitness, and were carrying minimal supplies by this point, so for us it was all good.

Anticipating a toughish day with a fair bit of climbing to reach Mundaring, and then a slog into Perth to reach our accommodation, we made an early start on our final day on the trail. There was more great riding in perfect conditions as we wound our way up and down the switchback sections. The feared pea gravel sections were easier than expected and we soon found ourselves popping out of the forest and into suburbia. The obligatory round of photos at the northern terminus, coffee and food followed. Then it was back on the bikes for the run into the big city. Much of this was along a clearly marked cycling trail – nice work Perth!

We arrived in Perth on day 14 of our trip. Our longest day was 108 km into Coalmine Beach (Walpole) and we had a couple of light days of around 50 km in lieu of a rest day. Although there are no major climbs, our average daily ascent was around 1000m, with a maximum 1500m on the longest day to Walpole. Food resupply is easy as the trail passes through settlements almost every day.

We’d highly recommend the Mundabiddi as an outstanding multiday bikepacking adventure. The riding offers fantastic variety, including some slow and challenging sections, but very little hike-a-bike (mostly manouvering around or over fallen trees). The trail surface is generally good, with some sections of pea gravel and soft sand. Accommodation, coffee and beer are all readily available in the trail towns for those seeking the comforts of civilisation. And the huts provide great facilities including shelter, tank water, loos, sleeping platforms and picnic tables.

Enjoy!

Rubber side down,

Ed & Gaye