Kowen Forest is a 4,670-hectare commercial pine plantation situated just outside Canberra in the Australian Capital Territory. This extensive area features a diverse landscape, including the Molonglo River and Gorge, alongside vast pine forests, providing a versatile environment for outdoor pursuits. Its network of trails and varied terrain makes it a popular destination for several sports like hiking, mountain biking, jogging, road cycling, and more. The forest offers a blend of natural beauty and managed trails suitable for various fitness…
46
Routes
4.4
(29)
Average rating
1005
People visited

5.0
(1)
59
hikers
6.66km
01:48
90m
80m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(2)
65
hikers
5.40km
01:46
250m
250m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.8
(5)
48
hikers
6.94km
02:11
270m
270m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

11
hikers
9.31km
02:52
330m
330m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(4)
228
riders
15.2km
01:43
310m
310m
Hard mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.

4.2
(5)
202
riders
Hard mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.

33
riders
10.0km
00:55
210m
210m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Advanced riding skills necessary.

6
riders
11.4km
00:57
140m
140m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(1)
38
riders
43.3km
01:50
200m
200m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

21
riders
105km
05:06
1,060m
1,060m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

19
riders
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

10
riders
83.6km
03:50
550m
550m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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25
runners
11.9km
01:27
240m
240m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

24
runners
21.0km
02:24
460m
460m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

13
runners
6.81km
00:42
10m
10m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

9
runners
5.65km
00:35
40m
40m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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11
riders
14.4km
01:19
180m
180m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

10
riders
20.3km
01:12
120m
120m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

12
riders
40.8km
02:35
230m
230m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

6
riders
11.8km
01:01
170m
170m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Kowen Forest offers a range of outdoor activities including hiking, mountain biking, jogging, and road cycling. The area features an extensive network of trails and diverse natural features. More than 2,000 visitors have shared their experiences, resulting in an average rating of 4.54 out of 5 stars.
Kowen Forest provides numerous trails for bushwalking and hiking. A popular option is the 1.5-mile (2.5-kilometer) walking trail from Molonglo Gorge Recreation Area to Blue Tiles. Another trail leads to the Glenburn Heritage Precinct, a 2.3-mile (3.7-kilometer) return journey. For more options, consult the Hiking in Kowen Forest guide.
The eastern section of Kowen Forest is well-known for its extensive mountain bike trails, including the Sparrow Hill area. These trails range from beginner-friendly to more adventurous routes, often comprising hardpack singletrack connected by fire trails. E-biking is also permitted on several trails. Discover more in the MTB Trails in Kowen Forest guide.
Paved surfaces and management trails within the broader Kowen area offer options for road cycling. Routes like the 'Tardis loop from Queanbeyan' are considered easy and suitable for all fitness levels. Further details can be found in the Road Cycling Routes in Kowen Forest guide.
Kowen Forest offers trails suitable for various fitness levels, including options that are appropriate for families. These routes provide an accessible way to experience the forest environment. Specific family-friendly options are detailed in the Family-friendly hikes in Kowen Forest guide.
Kowen Forest features the Molonglo River and Gorge, with the Blue Tiles Walk offering views of the river. The Kowen Escarpment Nature Reserve adjoins the Molonglo Gorge, protecting important forested land and wildlife. Heritage sites like the Old Kowen Homestead and Village also offer historical interest.
Information regarding dog access in Kowen Forest is typically managed by Parks ACT. Visitors should check the official Parks ACT website for current regulations on pet access within the forest. Adherence to local guidelines ensures the preservation of the natural environment and wildlife.
Komoot offers several guides for Kowen Forest, covering various activities. Available guides include Hiking in Kowen Forest, MTB Trails in Kowen Forest, and Road Cycling Routes in Kowen Forest. Other guides cover easy hikes, running trails, and traffic-free bike rides.
Information regarding Kowen Forest is primarily available through the Parks ACT website. The official website is https://www.parks.act.gov.au. This site provides details about park management and regulations.
For general inquiries about ACT Parks and Reserves, including Kowen Forest, contact Access Canberra. The phone number for inquiries is 13 22 81. For specific inquiries related to forestry operations and closures, email ForestEnquiry@act.gov.au.
Kowen Forest offers trails suitable for various skill levels, including options for beginners. These routes are generally less challenging and provide an accessible entry point to hiking in the area. The Easy hikes in Kowen Forest guide provides specific recommendations.
Kowen Forest provides numerous opportunities for jogging and running, with trails suitable for various distances and terrains. The forest also hosts events like the Kowen Winter Trails marathon. Specific routes for runners are detailed in the Running Trails in Kowen Forest guide.

