Nangar horse riding trails
Nangar National Park
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.
- Where
- Nangar National Park in Country NSW
- 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 or set up camp for an overnight stay in the park.
Also see
-
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
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 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.
-
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
Local alerts
For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/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.
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Nangar horse riding trails.
Getting there and parking
Nangar horse riding trails are in Nangar National Park. To get there:
From Eugowra:
- Travel 10km along Escort Way (Eugowra – Orange Road)
- The park entrance sign is at the intersection with Dripping Rock Road
- Turn right here and travel 2.5km along Dripping Rock Road, where you’ll cross a cattle grid into the park.
From Orange:
- Travel 70km along Escort Way (otherwise known as Forbes Road)
- The park entrance sign is at the intersection with Dripping Rock Road
- Turn left here and travel 2.5km along Dripping Rock Road, where you’ll cross a cattle grid into the park.
Road quality
2WDs can access the park via Dripping Rock Road. 4WDs are required to drive through the rest of the park.
- Unsealed roads
Vehicle access
- Most roads require 4WD vehicle
Weather restrictions
- 4WD required in wet weather
Parking
Parking for horse floats is available 1km from the park entry at the first visitor sign. Horse floats may have trouble traversing the creek crossing further along Dripping Rock Road.
Facilities
- Horses can be held in temporary fencing located near the dam on the south side of Dripping Rock Road. Temporary yards or structures should be removed when the camping area is vacated.
- Water is available from a dam located on the southwest side of the Dripping Rock Road. Horses are not permitted within 30m of the dam itself.
- Scatter horse manure and bury human waste at a depth of at least 30cm or remove from the site.
- Collecting firewood in the park is prohibited, so you’ll need to bring your own with you. Fuel stoves are preferred. If a fire is necessary, suitable containers with legs must be used to avoid burnt patches on the ground.
- Rubbish bins are not available, so please take your rubbish with you when you leave.
Toilets
Non-flush toilets are located at Terarra Creek camping and picnic area.
- Non-flush toilets
Picnic tables
Barbecue facilities
- Fire rings (bring your own firewood)
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - no wheelchair access
Permitted
Camp fires and solid fuel burners
Camping
Cycling
Fishing
A current NSW recreational fishing licence is required when fishing in all waters.
Generators
Horses
Horse riding is permitted on specific trails in this park. You must remain on these trails at all times and ride in a way that meets the code of practice for horse riding in parks.
Prohibited
Gathering firewood
Pets
Pets and domestic animals (other than certified assistance animals) are not permitted. Find out which regional parks allow dog walking and see the pets in parks policy for more information.
Smoking
NSW national parks are no smoking areas.
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
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
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
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
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.