more stats
1.2 miles
Distance
162 ft
Climb
-60 ft
Descent
00:08:34
Avg time
102 ft
Altitude change
91 ft
Altitude min
193 ft
Altitude max
91 ft
Altitude start
194 ft
Altitude end
1.6%
Grade
-15%
Grade max
16%
Grade min
4,426 ft
Distance climb
1,972 ft
Distance down
82 ft
Distance flat
00:08:34
Avg time

The Ring Road Details

  • Activities
    • Mountain Bike
    • E-Bike
    • Gravel Bike
    • Adaptive Bike
    • Hike
    • Trail Running
  • Riding Area
    Smithfield
    Cairns
  • Difficulty Rating
    Access Trail or Doubletrack Rate
  • Local Popularity
    70 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • 70 in E-Biking
    • 100 in Trail Running
    • 5 in Hiking
  • Trail Type
    Dirt/Gravel Road
  • Bike Type
    Adaptive MTB, Gravel
  • Direction
    Both Directions[+]
    • Both Directions for E-Biking
    • Both Directions for Trail Running
    • Both Directions for Hiking
    • Both Directions for Gravel Biking
  • Dogs Allowed
    Yes
  • eBike Allowed
    Yes up to Class 1

The JCU Ring Road serves as a main arterial for wayfinding & access from the James Cook University (JCU) site through Smithfield Mountain Bike Park.
This wide, all-weather shared road runs from the university area, passing the World Cup Downhill Access Bridge, and continues all the way to the site of the old club area in the park, where the Nationals DH trail exits. Although the club site no longer exists here, the Ring Road remains a vital access corridor that accommodates riders of all abilities, including beginners connectivity and access to various trails within Smithfield Mountain Bike Park

Local Trail Association
Traditionally Indigenous Territory

Recent Activity on Trail

Past Week
  • 0 rides
  •  
6 Months
  • 14 rides
  • 12 miles avg distance
All
  • 130 rides
  • Last: Sep 6, 2026
update trails status or condition

The Ring Road Trail Reports

statusdatedescription
Dec 31, 2025 @ 8:51am (Australia/Brisbane)
Dec 30, 2025
 reporter
Feb 2, 2025 @ 4:03am
Feb 2, 2025
 reporter Impassable due to low lying water. Not draining
Jul 11, 2022 @ 4:24pm
Jul 11, 2022
Feb 27, 2020 @ 9:56pm
Feb 27, 2020
May 2, 2017 @ 1:12am
May 2, 2017
more »
Status:
on Dec 31, 2025
Wet
Avg: 3.98 (1 votes)
Your vote: 0

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Trail Conditions
  • Unknown
  • Snow Groomed
  • Snow Packed
  • Snow Covered
  • Snow Cover Partial
  • Freeze/thaw Cycle
  • Icy
  • Prevalent Mud
  • Wet
  • Variable
  • Ideal
  • Dry
  • Very Dry
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  • Both Directions
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        Directions to the-ring-road trailhead (-16.816630, 145.691270)
        View on Discover Map

        Photos

        1 more »
        report
        mtb
        40 |
        Feb 2, 2025 @ 4:03am
        Feb 2, 2025

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        4.0 ★★★★★
        1 Ratings
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        4 ★ 100%
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        Nearby Trails

        Smithfield

        Frequently Asked Questions About The Ring Road

        ▼ Where is The Ring Road located?
        The Ring Road is located in Smithfield, Cairns, Australia. It is part of the Smithfield trail network. The trailhead is located at coordinates -16.81663, 145.69127.
        ▼ What is the elevation gain for The Ring Road?
        The Ring Road has 162 ft of elevation gain. The trail has 60 ft of elevation descent. The elevation ranges from 91 ft to 193 ft.
        ▼ Is The Ring Road a point to point trail?
        The Ring Road is not a point to point trail. The direction is Both Directions. The trail type is dirt/gravel road.
        ▼ How long is The Ring Road?
        The Ring Road is 1.2 miles long. The trail type is dirt/gravel road.
        ▼ Are dogs allowed on The Ring Road?
        Yes, dogs are allowed on The Ring Road. Please keep dogs on a leash where required and clean up after them.
        ▼ When is the best time of year to ride The Ring Road?
        Based on activity log data, the most popular months to ride The Ring Road are:
        • July (27 activities)
        • September (18 activities)
        • June (17 activities)
        Check the reports page for current trail conditions.
        ▼ How do I access The Ring Road? Where is the closest parking trailhead?
        The closest parking and trailhead locations to The Ring Road are: View all parking locations in the area.
        ▼ How long does it take to ride The Ring Road?
        Based on recorded activities, it takes an average of 7 minutes to ride The Ring Road. The trail is 1.2 miles long. Actual times will vary based on fitness level, conditions, and pace. View recent activity logs for more details.
        ▼ How busy is The Ring Road?
        The Ring Road is a very popular trail. There have been 1,312 recorded activities on this trail. The trail has received 1,521 check-ins. View recent activity on this trail.

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