Mountain bike riders will be able to test their endurance in one of South Australia's most picturesque national parks with the opening of the state's newest mountain bike trail.
The 38-kilometre Epic Mountain Bike Trail is near Melrose in the Mid North.
The trail winds through Mount Remarkable National Park and private land adjacent to the park, traversing the western flank of Mount Remarkable.
Riders are treated to spectacular views of Black Range as they travel the western side of the trail, before being looped back toward Melrose beneath the Gibraltar Rock formations.
The trail includes 1500 metres of climbing elevation and a near continuous six-kilometre descent, which links the trail to the ground level of the nearby Willowie Forest mountain bike trails.
The Epic trail was designed by South Australian company TrailScapes, which is a construction specialist delivering high-quality trails with minimal impact on the surrounding environment.
The Nukunu Wapma Thura Aboriginal Corporation was collaborated with in the design to ensure the trail does not disturb any sites of cultural significance and to ensure cultural respect.
The Epic Mountain Bike Trail was a major component of the $10 million Remarkable Southern Flinders agreement, which is funded by the South Australian and Australian governments and supported by the Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife.
The federal government contributed $5 million to this agreement.
The agreement also includes 20 kilometres of new trails in Mount Remarkable National Park at Willowie, an upgrade of the Mambray Creek campground and day visitor area, and new and improved day visitor facilities at nearby Wirrabara.
Other partners in the agreement include Regional Development Australia Yorke and Mid North, District Council of Mount Remarkable, Port Pirie Regional Council, Northern Areas Council and the Nukunu Wapma Thura Aboriginal Corporation.
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Federal infrastructure minister Catherine King said the trail provides a great recreational activity in a beautiful setting.
"This world-class mountain bike trail, suitable for international standard competitors, will highlight local Aboriginal culture while encouraging tourism to this region," she said.
SA deputy premier Susan Close said the trail complements several other mountain bike trails located in parks across the state - including in Sturt Gorge and Cobbler Creek recreation parks - and will be a great addition to Melrose and the wider Flinders Ranges.
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