Wingello and Penrose State Forest are used in the Highland Fling races and is where I was first introduced to them. Of the two, Wingello definitely has more of a vertical challenge - during the race it dropped down into the valley cut by Joe The Marines Folly Creek (what a name, who is this Joe?!), but has a number of other gullys and creeks spread about to keep things 'interesting'.

This is a large area - about 13Km as the crow flys end to end. Of course the trails that exist between these measured points are anything but straight, and there's plenty of them, which all adds up to a huge distance that can be strung together if you are that way inclined. Check the aforementioned Fling site and you'll see there is a 47Km track easily laid out in here. On the last visit we had no problem covering 30Km with a tiny bit of back-tracking and not even going South of Burnt Pine Road. Hope you're getting the gist - it's BIG!

Mostly pine forest as you'd expect, Wingello also has stands of native flora to mix things up. Down in the gullys around the place there are lush coverings of ferns (well - when it's wet anyhow) so the scenery isn't as dull as you'd think.

Trying to go through all the roads/fire trails here one by one would be pretty pointless so how about some highlights we know about (and don't forget - there's plenty more that won't be mentioned here)...

Spratts/Gulp Rd Corner Cut

On the map you see Spratts Rd forms a sideways 'U' shape, the South End of it joining Gulp Rd. There is a small trail that 'cuts' that corner and is fantastic. Something about this track was great - perhaps it was the flock of Black Cockatoos we came across at the bottom of the gully, or perhaps that fast downhill section... it certainly wasn't the climb out heading South to Gulp Rd, that's for sure!

Gulp Road

Rather mundane firetrail to ride on, but the southern fork on this has a nice drop into cool native forest. At the end of Gulp Rd itself you'll come to a clearing and memorial to a bush figherfighter. There are two paths either side of the memorial which seem to head down into what you would think is a river valley, however - we have it on good authority the right hand side one then climbs to spectacular views over said valley. No pics of this - said information wasn't gleaned until the ride down there was done... doh!

Nyers Creek Road

Nyers Creek Road has a few testing climbs and looping off it in a SE direction is the closest thing to single trail around these parts (as far as we know). The road winds around quiet a lot and passed through the beautiful Fern Gully - love it.

And there's more

Yup - lots more! Please comment if you know/hear about any favourite trails in Wingello.

We do know that State Forests and Wild Horizons are teaming up to build a few sections of single track in here. Don't know where and don't know when they will be finished (end of '06 is hoped for?). Keep an eye on the Wild Horizons site for details.