Googong Dam Circuit

Access

From Canberra/Queanbeyan:

• Take Cooma St continuing on to Old Cooma Rd
• Turn left at Googong Rd and follow the road until you reach Googong Foreshores

Please note that the road out of Queanbeyan to the Dam is easiest travelled by car. The road is narrow with very limited shoulder and plenty of traffic, and as such, is not ideal for cycling.

Terrain

• Fire trail
• Steep gradients in parts combined with loose rocky sections

Highlights

• Reap the rewards of a challenging ride and enjoy spectacular forest and scenery along this trail.
• The Googong Dam is a bit of a hidden gem – meaning you’ll get to enjoy this ride in perfect solitude as it’s likely you won’t run into other people all day until you’re back on the western side of the dam.
• For fans of Australian wildlife, this trail provides the perfect opportunity to spot a wombat or two along the way. What other wildlife will you spot in the pristine bushland of the Googong Dam?
• The last leg of the ride is a flying finish back up the western side of the dam on a well-groomed trail. This trail is much easier and suitable for gravel bike, if you’re looking for a nice short ride along the Googong Foreshores that all of the family can enjoy.

Recommendations

• Take a print version of the map with you before heading out of range. There’s not much way finding or signage on the trail to depend on.
• Stay on the trail throughout the ride. Avoid trying to take a shortcut across the southern end of the dam or over the river as you are likely to end up swimming with your bike in tow.
• Opt for a mountain bike rather than a gravel bike. Despite the entire ride being fire trail, the surface is better suited to mountain bikes.