Coopernook Escarpment Loop

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Mid-Coast, NSW, AU

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Bourkes Bicycles

Manning Valley Gravel & MTB Rides

46 km

939 m

The Coopernook Escarpment has some of the most stunning lookouts around. With beautiful forest roads, a good amount of climbing and sweeping views this is without a doubt a must do ride!

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The Coopernook escarpment loop is a must-do for any rider in or visiting the Manning Valley. While it can be a challenging ride with nearly 1000m of climbing, it is well worth the effort. This loop has some of the best @photo[lookouts](12460318) around, combined with a lovely creek walk and swim to beat the heat! Starting and finishing at the Coopernook pub is also a bonus particularly if you time it to grab a meal and a drink afterwards...

The route is mostly well maintained gravel forest roads with only a short section of paved roads at the start and end in Coopernook. However, roads can at times be a little rough after extended periods of wet weather. At just over 46km and nearly 1000m of climbing, you will need a little bit of fitness behind you and well maintain gravel or mountain bike.

Starting from the [Coopernook Hotel/Pub](https://coopernookhotel.com.au/), the ride heads out through the small town for a couple of kilometres before heading into the Coopernook State Forest. From there, you will follow some generally well maintained roads before finding yourself at the first of two lookouts: @poi[Vincents Lookout](107281480).

The climb up to Vincents is a fairly straightforward affair, but it does have one final steep pinch to the top that can break you if you don't have low gearing. This final pinch is only 100-150m long, so don't fret! When you get to the top though, it will be worth it with some stunning @photo[views](12460329) to the southwest. The final pinch section can be in poor trail condition, so take care on the way back down...

From Vincents you will head back down and continue left on Coopernook Forest Way. At approximately the 28km mark, you will turn left onto Newbys Creek road to get to the next point of interest - [Newbys Creek Walk and Caves](https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/walking-tracks/newbys-creek-walk-and-caves). There is a fun short decent down to the creek, which is another good spot to have a rest (if needed), or you can do the short walk up the @photo[creek](14606836) to the caves.

Once refreshed, you will head on up out of the gully area of the creek before happening upon @poi[Newbys Lookout](107281479). This is another brilliant lookout that is a bit further up the valley and @photo[looks](12460320) towards the west. Being at around the halfway mark, it is also a great spot to rest and refuel for the ride back.

Following on from Newbys Lookout you will continue on up Newbys Creek Road for another couple of km's before turning right onto Coopernook Forest Way again. From here you will be rewarded with a fast flowy decent, which is a absolute hoot!

The final point of interest you will pass before making your way back to the pub for a cold drink and possible feed is [Coopernook Forest HQ](https://www.forestrycorporation.com.au/visit/forests/coopernook). This is a forest @point[campground](d,39099.83) and could be an alternative start point for this ride if you want to camp over night in the area as well.

# More resources

* [Coopernook Hotel](https://coopernookhotel.com.au/)
* [NSW Forestry Corporation](https://www.forestrycorporation.com.au/) 
* [Newbys Walk and Cave](https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/walking-tracks/newbys-creek-walk-and-caves)

# Important Reminders

You will be riding through State forest, and as such there may be logging activities at times. It is recommended to check the [NSW Forestry Corporation](https://www.forestrycorporation.com.au/) website ahead of time to see if there are any closures before hopping on this route. 
There are no points along the route to refill water (it is not recommended to drink the water in the creeks), so make sure you have enough to carry you over for the whole ride.

A fit and regular rider can do this route in 2 hours or so with minimal rest stops, while a group ride with less seasoned riders could take up to 4 hours, particularly if you stop along the way for plenty of photos and do the Newbys Creek walk.

Coopernook Escarpment Loop

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