Nangar horse riding trails

Nangar National Park

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Overview

Saddle up your horse for an adventurous ride in Nangar National Park, near Forbes. The 30km network of trails is perfect for intermediate riders, with options to trot through the woods or climb to the top of Mount Nangar.

Accessibility
No wheelchair access
Distance
30km
Time suggested
8hrs
Grade
Medium
What to
bring
Drinking water, sturdy shoes, suitable clothing, clothes for all weather conditions, hat, sunscreen, raincoat, snacks
Please note
  • Horse riders must obtain a permit to ride in the park. Contact the Forbes area office for more information.
  • Horse riders and cyclists must give way to all walkers. Cyclists must give way to horse riders. Read the code of practice for horse riding in parks before you set out.
  • Creeks may be impassable during heavy rain fall.
  • Tether and ride in a way that prevents vegetation damage.
  • Horses should be tethered at least 100m from visitor areas and are not permitted in Dripping Rock Homestead yard. 
  • Fodder feed is not permitted in the park. Please use horse pellets.
  • Minimise the impact of introduced weeds and plants the park by feeding horses a weed-free diet for 2 to 4 days prior to any extended trip to reduce the risk of seeds being spread through manure.
  • While horses are permitted here, please note that dogs are not.

Explore 30km of connected horse-riding trails in Nangar National Park. This pleasant ride takes you through woodland forest, across small creeks and up rocky mountain ridges.

Starting in Terarra Creek valley, you’ll ride through serene creek flats with number of easy water crossings. Pass Dripping Rock before heading into the hills as you ride towards the base of Mount Nangar. From here, you can choose to make the 770m climb up the mountain or continue along easier trails.

Be on the lookout for native animals and birds as you ride through beautiful mugga ironbark and red stringybark woodland. The peregrine falcon, wedge-tailed eagle, brown falcon, eastern grey kangaroo, common wallaroo, red-necked wallaby and swamp wallaby are among the species found in the park.

If you make the journey to the top of Mount Nangar, tether your horse and take in spectacular views of the farmland from the lookout. Head back to Terarra Creek camping and picnic area to rest your horses while you enjoy a snack. 

You can camp with horses in Nangar National Park in a designated horse camping area on Dripping Rock Road.

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info

Also see

  • Terrara Creek campground and picnic area, Nangar National Park. Photo: Geoff Edwards/NSW Government

    Terarra Creek camping and picnic area

    Centrally located and naturally sheltered, Terarra Creek camping and picnic area makes the perfect base for bushwalking, mountain biking, camping and picnicking.

  • Mount Nangar lookout, Nangar National Park. Photo: K Edwards

    Mount Nangar lookout

    Go bushwalking, or 4WD, to Mount Nangar lookout for scenic views of the surrounding country and to enjoy great birdwatching, close to Orange and Forbes.

  • Mount Murga walking track, Nangar National Park. Photo: Amanda Lavender © OEH

    Mount Murga to Mount Nangar loop walk

    The Mount Murga to Mount Nangar loop walk combines some of the best hikes in Nangar National Park to give you a full day peak-to-peak experience.

  • View of walking track cutting through a woodland of tall trees and grass trees. Photo: Claire Davis © DPIE

    Chinamans Garden walking track

    Chinamans Garden walking track is a moderate hike from Terarra Creek campground, in Nangar National Park, west of Orange. It’s easily linked with longer walks to stunning Mount Nangar or Mount Murga.

Map


Map legend

Map legend

Current alerts in this area

There are no current alerts in this area.

Local alerts

For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://uat.nswparks.cloud/things-to-do/horse-riding-trails/nangar-horse-riding-trails/local-alerts

Park info

  • in Nangar National Park in the Country NSW region
  • Nangar National Park is always open but may have to close at times due to extreme weather or fire danger.
See more visitor info

Visitor info

All the practical information you need to know about Nangar horse riding trails.

Maps and downloads

Learn more

Nangar horse riding trails is in Nangar National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:

A refuge for wildlife

 Bottlebrush (Callistemon), Nangar National Park. Photo: Claire Davis

Amid the extensive farmlands of the central west, Nangar is home to many sedentary and migratory birds and local native animals. Among many bird species are several birds of prey such as the peregrine falcon, wedge-tailed eagle and brown falcon, which use the cliff face along the northern boundary for nesting and perching. The park is also home to the eastern grey kangaroo, common wallaroo, red-necked wallaby, swamp wallaby, little mastiff-bat and chocolate wattled bat. You may also spot the southern rainbow skink, eastern long-necked tortoise and spotted grass frog.

  • Mount Murga walking track Enjoy scenic views, spring wildflowers, varied wildlife and birdwatching on Mount Murga walking track; great for a day of bushwalking near Orange and Forbes.
  • Mount Nangar walking track Mount Nangar walking track to the lookout takes you bushwalking through varied landscapes to scenic views over Nangar National Park and surrounding farmlands in search of wildlife and wildflowers.

An ever-changing landscape

Dripping Rock, Nangar National Park. Photo: A Lavender

Ranging from the undulating hills in the south of the park to the long cliff line of red siltstone on the northern boundary - and the 770m-high Mount Nangar - the park offers a great variety of landscapes and views. Terarra Creek valley is open with wide creek flats and gentle slopes and the upper tributaries of Mogong Creek contains several natural springs. You'll see from the high vantage points of the park that the valley floor and more accessible lower slopes have been cleared by grazing and logging. Old growth forest is found in the steeper areas, but under national park protection, the park's vegetation communities will grow ever stronger.

  • Mount Murga walking track Enjoy scenic views, spring wildflowers, varied wildlife and birdwatching on Mount Murga walking track; great for a day of bushwalking near Orange and Forbes.
  • Mount Nangar walking track Mount Nangar walking track to the lookout takes you bushwalking through varied landscapes to scenic views over Nangar National Park and surrounding farmlands in search of wildlife and wildflowers.

Historic treasure

Dripping Rock shearing shed, Nangar National Park. Photo: OEH

Gold was discovered around Eugowra in the 1860s, drawing miners and bushrangers, including the Gardener and Ben Hall gangs who roamed the area that the park now covers. Chinese miners lived here in the early 1900s, prospecting for copper. Historical remains in the park include remnants of gardens and orchards of Dripping Rock homestead, lost to fire in recent years, and its piggery, ruined hay shed and yards.

Wiradjuri country

Nangar lookout, Nangar National Park. Photo: A Lavender

A vast area of the central west of New South Wales, including Nangar National Park, is Wiradjuri country. Evidence suggests that Nangar Range has been an important landmark in Aboriginal culture and that the surrounding area was occupied for long periods. Places of significance include archaeological sites containing artefacts, stone scatters, quarries and scar trees.

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