The number one question everyone asks about the Pallarenda Trails! 

Is it open yet for 2026? 

• Last confirmed ride (via Strava): 31/1/26

Here are some opening dates:

• Trails opened April 17 2020. Trail clearing conducted by Ausfield Services (a vegetation management contractor). 

• Trails opened 28 May 2021. Trail management and building works completed by Mclean Projects. Smedleys works completed and open 25 June. 

• Trails opened May 2 2024. 160 hours, 60 litres of fuel and 500 metres of cord with around 15 volunteers led by Outer Limits. 

• Trails opened July 24 2025. One full day of clearing with around 15 volunteers led by Outer Limits.

If you'd like to advocate for earlier opening of the Pallarenda trails, please go here.

We support regular scheduled late March / early April trail cutting so the trails are open by the mid / late April (weather depending) with a view that UTR should ultimately be a year-round trail with sufficient funding to support year-round management. 

If UTR is unrideable then most likely Smedleys is too. We'll update this page as soon as the UTR is rideable again.

The trails can be quite wet or overgrown and QPWS often close the park, so monitor the Queensland Park Alerts:

• https://parks.qld.gov.au/parks/cape-pallarenda 

• https://parks.qld.gov.au/parks/townsville 

If you're not into road riding and Douglas MTB Park is closed as well, try this general wet season loop:

• Freshwater trail --> Bald Rock Road --> Town Common Road --> Pallarenda Road (45-60 mins).

• Strava Link: https://www.strava.com/segments/37232032