THE push to make Mount Wellington a mountain biking mecca is in full swing with the Wellington Park Management Trust investigating a world class “epic ride” for the area.

After a $200,000 feasibility study found an 80km multi-use track from central Hobart to the Western Wilderness was not viable, the Trust is now focusing its energy on a mountain bike trail it says could be considered one of the greatest in the world.

A Commonwealth-funded feasibility study found a mutli-use track was not an option due to low demand, but instead suggested an “epic ride” could bring an extra $1.4 million a year into the Tasmanian economy.

There are about 50 ”epic” mountain bike rides worldwide – defined as such by the International Mountain Biking Association as “true backcountry riding experiences that are technically and physically challenging” – with most in the US, several in Canada and one in Italy.

An “epic ride” on Mount Wellington would be only the second in Australia following the construction of one in Mt Buller, Victoria.

Trust manager Axel von Krusenstierna told the Mercury they were now carrying out “a more detailed study into the technical feasibility” of the trail at Mount Wellington.

He said an exact route was still being determined but previous reports have suggested a 37km loop with multiple starting points including the Glenorchy Mountain Bike Park, The Springs, Fern Tree and Neika.

The journey could take in scenic points at North West Bay River and Knights Creek using the popular North-South Track and existing fire trails for part of the journey.

“If a suitable route is found the Trust will prepare a business case for it that can be used for obtaining the necessary approvals and funding,” Mr von Krusenstierna said.

The Trust was given a $200,000 grant for a feasibility study “for the assessment, classification, development, management and promotion of an all-season walking and eco-tourism recreation-access track between Mt Wellington and the Western Tasmania World Heritage Areas”.

The study found the multi-use track from Mount Wellington to the tall forests of the Styx Valley lacked the demand of a mountain bike track.

“With demand for mountain bike riding increasing strongly, the development of an iconic mountain bike trail that could be considered an ‘epic’ ride by the International Mountain Bike Association would increase the competitive strength of Tasmania as a mountain bike destination,” the report said.

“The construction of a Wellington to Wilderness Epic Trail will have strong appeal to both intrastate and interstate mountain bikers.”

Tourism Northern Tasmania chair James McKee, who helped secure Federal funding for 75km of world-class mountain bike trails in the state’s North-East, said the “epic ride” proposed for Mount Wellington was the type of project that would encourage tourists into the state.

“That is exactly how Tasmania can compete in the mountain biking space by showing off the best of Tasmanian wilderness but have tracks with some challenge to them,” he said.

Clingo Cycles owner John Clingo, who hires road and mountain bikes from his South Hobart shop, said the mountain was already gaining an international reputation as a great place for rides.

“There is tonnes of interest in it,” he said.

He said the North-South track was particularly popular

“It has been reviewed and rated all over the world and people want to come and ride it.”