Finding your Way along the Munda Biddi Trail

Credit:  Munda Biddi signage - Miles Arbour (Bikepacking.com)

You can safely find your way along the Munda Biddi Trail using the following tools:

1. Munda Biddi Trail maps (refer to section map details below)
2. Munda Biddi Trail App (refer to App features information below)
3. Munda Biddi Trail markers (yellow and blue).
4. Long Trail GPX and KMZ files for GPS devices can be downloaded.

Both MBTF and DBCA recommends 1,2,3 as the primary sources of navigation.

To support your Trail planning, become a Foundation member and access the Online Ride Planner.

Please take the time to read the navigation and safety advice below.

Leading the Way through Boodja (country)

What is the best navigation tool to use?

Combined, the Maps and the App are the essential Munda Biddi navigation tools.

The App is a complete “how to” guide for planning and preparing to ride the Trail and an excellent on-route reference for places along the Trail. At $26.99 it is great value and an essential trail riders guide with an active map that can work offline, using GPS to show the route and pinpoint your location when riding. The App is more than a map and navigation guide, it's a guidebook.

Refer the the Trail App page for further details.

For basic alignment data the Parks and Wildlife Service provides GPX/KML files. Please carefully consider your sources of other online information and the currency of data.The Trail travels through remote areas and trail and environmental conditions can change rapidly, these sources maybe unreliable.

IMPORTANT NAVIGATION CONSIDERATIONS

Do not rely entirely on digital forms of navigation. Failure of these technologies may result in misadventure. We recommend the combined use of both the Trail maps and the Trail App together. 

• Always understand and test the device and/or program you are using. Before you ride the Munda Biddi, do a trial ride using these navigation, tools so you don't have to learn how to use the map or app when it really matters!
• Phones and other electronic devices need to be charged regularly and some apps draw down the battery quickly whilst being used, or active in the background.
• DBCA and MBTF can't verify the accuracy of third party data resources. 
• You will not always have mobile reception along the Trail, which will be a problem if the program you are using needs reception to access navigating functionality.

Preparing to ride the Trail

For novice Munda Biddi riders, start out with an easy-to-navigate section close to a town, or practice on a well-signposted loop trail. Close to Perth, we suggest the Railway Reserves Heritage Trail for some smooth gravel riding, or the Kalamunda Mountain Bike Circuit. There is a wealth of information on the TrailsWA website.

Prior to starting the Trail

Get in the habit of checking the following websites to ensure you can access the most up-to-date information when you are riding the Munda Biddi. These sites are updated regularly by different levels of Government and are free of charge. We recommend that when you are on the Trail you periodically check these sites for the latest information.

1. Parks & Wildlife Park Alerts for trail closures, diversions, and permanent realignments
2. DBCA safety information
3. Emergency WA for bushfires, storms, heatwaves, and other issues that may impact the Munda Biddi
4. Bureau of Meteorology

Trail Diversions and Realignments

The Munda Biddi Trail App, via collaboration with the Munda Biddi Trail Foundation and DBCA, is usually updated to show the latest route and longer-term temporary redirections within a week or so of a change in the Trail route. DBCA does not officially guarantee the App is up to date. The official route is regularly diverted for various reasons, including construction, trail damage, flooding, forestry operations, bushfires etc.

These diversions are communicated on the ground by the Munda Biddi trail markers and temporary signs with detailed maps posted at the location. Diversions are also published via Park Alerts, although there can be some lag between conditions on the ground and the website.

DBCA’s GPX and KMZ files are not updated with temporary diversions.
There are ongoing works to improve the Munda Biddi, including minor
and major realignments, which may take time to be reflected on the
official paper maps.

Permanent realignments that are not shown in the latest available map version (because they were implemented after map production) are posted on Park Alerts.

Permanent realignments are automatically shown on the Munda Biddi Trail App shortly after completion (Apps purchased before the realignment update to show the latest).

If you use paper maps, DBCA strongly recommends you mark them up with these realignments or print out the current alerts relevant to your Munda Biddi trip before your journey. If you use outdated maps, you can correct them using the archive of permanent realignments at this link below.

Permanent realignments archive

Paper Maps

The maps have transitioned to a new series of 7 maps (previously 9), with all new maps now available. The maps are available for sale direct from our Biddi Shop, various bike shops and visitor centres.

New TRAIL MAP Series

1. Mundaring to Dandalup Campsite 
2. Dandalup Campsite to Harvey-Quindanning Road 
3. Harvey-Quindanning Road to Capel River 
4. Capel River to Waistcoat Road 
5. Waistcoat Road to Shannon River 
6. Shannon River to Kent River 
7. Kent River to Albany Terminus 

There are also two alternative routes that are available to ride as seperate trails off the Munda Biddi Trail. 

1. Sidings Rail Trail / Old Timberline Trail
2. Waterous Trail Loop - GPX map 

Munda Biddi Trail App features..

1. The App works well in areas with poor or no mobile network coverage.
   Your location is shown on the App’s map via GPS.
2. The map is very detailed, making it easier to navigate back to the Trail if you get lost or need to navigate to a main road or safe location in case of injury, equipment failure, or fire.
3. The map shows a contour line and is marked up with the location of towns, huts, water sources, accommodation providers and places of interest.
4. The App shows a user’s distance from places and a handy elevation profile. Both features can help to simplify decision-making.
5. The App is regularly updated to show the latest official Trail.*The MBTF provides guidance to the App developers, and receives a percentage of proceeds from sales of the App.

There are a multitude of devices such as the Garmin Inreach & Spot Tracker, that allow you to send SOS messages and texts via satellite networks, which will cover you where mobile phone signals don't. In most cases these devices allow you to communicate with your loved ones and let them locate your dot on a map (hence the term ‘dot watching,’ for ultra-endurance races.) You will need an active subscription to access these features on the device you choose. Check out some recent info, including 2022 reviews here, and get some more context on this style of device here.

DON'T RISK GETTING LOST!

1. Consider multiple sources of information when you suspect you have taken a wrong turn, or feel lost, and need to make a navigation decision. As a rule, trust and follow the trail markers, as they are the most up-to-date navigation tool.
2. Have a backup plan for navigation and remember that you will often be out of mobile phone reception along the trail and batteries do go flat!
3. Carry the official paper maps, and regularly plot your position on the map.
4. Sign into the logbooks at the Munda Biddi campsites.
5. Most importantly, plan ahead, and share that information with family or friends prior to departure.