Manly Dam

Word on the street is that Warringah Council is looking to develop further MTB trails at Manly Dam. So I headed out to the unique location to see how the trails have been holding up.

Manly Dam is just a few short k's from Manly beach and is easily accessible via the roads off Condamine St. The trail is sandstone based and is mostly hardpacked with a mixture of sandy and rocky sections. Highlights include single track and downhill sections that take some practise to smoothly ride. Over the years boardwalks have been added and rocks moved to counter natural erosion and the constant use of the trails by bikes, runners and walkers.

The trail was mostly dry but rain three days earlier had still left some puddles, a little mud and more water in the stream crossing than usual. Not much had changed climbing up from the school and it wasn't until the traverse across the top of the golf course that significant work had been carried out. Ground level boards had been replaced by a raised board walk, a great move for more sustainable trails. Further on and moving into the returning descent a nice little section of rock armoured trail has been built leading to the B-line near the massive A-line "Humvee" roll-over. With the heavy use of this trail it is good to see work being done that will last for years and years.

Of course with any public multi use trail it is a good idea to keep in mind the other users, it is not uncommon to come across walkers and runners using the trail in both directions. It will be interesting to see what the Council and local trail users come up with over the next year for Manly Dam.