Lush valleys fuelled by snowmelt and sun. Dingo Dell Cafe at Mt Buffalo is open every day over January from 10am-5pm then out of holiday times is closed on Monday and Tuesday. Hotham without a proper warm-up is not advisable. Mystic Mountain Bike Park Mystic Park is located in Bright in North Eastern Victoria approx. Can be done comfortably on a road bike, though some may prefer a gravel bike. Harrietville to the Razorback(Dimatina Hut) for Mount Feathertop walks. Harrietville/Bright to Mount Hotham. Just be aware that there will be MUCH more traffic on the road than in summer. Expansive views of the Australian Alps burst forth as you rise above the alpine ash and snow gum forests to the high peaks of the Alpine National Park, passing the iconic landscapes of The Razorback and Mount Feathertop. You dont need to do the ACE250 to climb Hotham before sunrise. Your email address will not be published. Hi, great site and love the reviews of the 3 peaks climbs. The trail follows the Ovens River and explores the beautiful valley between Bright and Harrietville. Buffalo Road (C535) and the Great Alpine Road (B500). Great views and the ride down is all part of the reward for your efforts. What:pastoral land, bushland, rural idyll, local produce, wineries, small towns, moderate climbing/descending. Kath had thought of everything. Try the 200 km Dinner Plain to Mount Buffalo ride, the 135 km Dinner Plain to Bright challenge or the 71.4 km Bright to Mount Buffalo climb. On this section supplies can only be obtained at Hotham Village (km133) and Dinner Plain (km145). Surface:95% sealed (though a bit choppy). We acknowledge the Dhudhuroa, Taungurung, Waywurru, Gunaikurnai and Jaithmathang as the First Peoples and Traditional Custodians of the Alpine Shire, which encompasses the land, water and sky of Bright & Surrounds. Any tips regarding it? The Mt. The descent wasnt as terrifying as I thought it would be (being a cowardly descender), but the ride from Harrietville to Brigjht on the way back was a lovely wind down sitting on 32-33 kph and shaking the stiffness out of the limbs. The biggest attraction to Bright is the Cycling. #seeyo, Dont forget that Kids Eat Free promo is still r, Tuesday Trivia is back on again this week Length: 30.8kmAverage gradient: 4.2%Elevation gain:1,279m. Roads like the East Ovens River Track, or Wet Gully Track between Freeburgh and Harrietville, provide rewarding but challenging adventure and gravel bike rides. Bright (and district) maintains a full road cycling events calendar for road riders of all levels from novice to professional. The 27-kilometre trail extends the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail to the base of the Alps. As one of Victoria's many rail trails, the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail is one of the most popular things to do in Bright. Cazz Redding, a town . The views are great and its an epic climb. Unfortunately I had a different experience to Jules. Just completed this ride and can confirm it is by far the most difficult ride I have ever done. Something went wrong. Did it yesterdayit was glorious with birdies and mist and stuff. Its a rewarding ride but if your not used to how quickly the weather can change in the mountains like you can get caught out like I was. The ski bridge was a welcome sight as I turned the corner. The Climbing Cyclist website has a detailed breakdown of the climb. But your website encouraged me at 63 at long last to get a road bike this spring. Theres a false-flat 7.6km into the climb that lasts for the best part of 2km. and: CRB Hill at 23.5km (1.1km at 10%) and Diamantina at 28.3km (1.4km at 9%). Mobile phone coverage is scarce, so always ensure you are fully self-sufficient, have a detailed topographical maps or GPS and have told someone about your plans. www.hothamchallenge.com.au. One of my riding mates on the ACE250 was 74 years old. With the school holid, Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing Transport Options, www.obee.com.au/theharrietvillesnowlinehotel. A fridge, an oven and stovetop are also provided, as well as a, Gapsted Wines is located near Myrtleford in Victorias High Country and is an award-winning winery producing premium cool climate wines from the King and Alpine Valleys. For those that know this absolute legend of a bloke - Mr Zac Rockstar James, he has been a great addition to the Snowline Team for the past few months. We acknowledge the Dhudhuroa, Taungurung, Waywurru, Gunaikurnai and Jaithmathang as the First Peoples and Traditional Custodians of the Alpine Shire, which encompasses the land, water and sky of Bright & Surrounds. Reading though it with a mate challenged us to have a crack at a few of these bigger climbs. document.write(year) When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted. Can be done on a road bike, though some may prefer a gravel bike. Havent riden hills like that for a few years, in fact probably BC, BM (before children, before marriage) 25 years ago. Road up on Jan 9th 2017. The Great Valley Trail (Bright to Harrietville) The Great Valley Trail proposed alignment (Bright to Harrietville) is out for public comment. A key feature is the longest unbroken gravity trail (10 kms) with a whopping 535. What:stunning coastal scenery, surfing, beaches, seaside towns, temperate rainforest, local produce, food & wine, Where:Melbourne, Yarra Valley, Yarra Ranges, Length:187km OR 134km (two route options). I could not have scripted more perfect riding conditions or more beautiful views. Why stop there? Daylesford. A steady, consistent climb with some stunning views throughout. Call us for a fixed price quote on all transfers including; To bookemailor phone 03 5759 2524 or 0402 377 101, Share on Facebook , Can be very cold and windy depending on when you do the climb. They produce wine varieties including Fiano and Saperavi, as well as classic styles such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chardonnay. The rolling ride along the Tambo is quite scenic, and there are a number of opportunities to bush camp or go for a swim along here. 8 hours there and back for me including walking across to the West Peak above Mt Beauty. Climbing from Harrietville to the Mt. The final bridge near the Trout Farm has been opened and the asphalt finished. The ascent of Mt. A good question, but Ive never had any problems up there. I climbed Mt Buffalo for the first time on Monday. While in Harrietville, riders can also complete the Omeo to Dinner Plain leg of 7 Peaks, which crosses to the southern slopes of the Great Dividing Range. Avoid a long car shuffle by having us drop you at the trail head. Twenty Seventeen theme modified by Matt de Neef. With crucial information like maps, gradients, distances, terrain, where to stay, where to get water, etc. It was the first time Ive done it, and it was certainly worth the effort with some beautiful views at Cresta Valley. I have driven those roads a lot before and I noticed it would be difficult/dangerous for a cyclist to attempt to ride it. Dysons Wangaratta. Matt, superb site. Oh, and whats Mt Bogong like (apart from long and hard)? So remember to save up some legs for the return back. Your descriptions are fantastic and help gauge whether Im up to it. Located in the main street of Bright, overlooking the river, Bright Brewery is an ideal destination for a beer and a meal after a work-out on the bike. Hotham is among Victorias most iconic cycling climbs. From the end of the false-flat at the Buckland Gate the road kicks to around 7-8% as it passes a rather accurate sign: Steep Climb Engage Low Gear. Snowball Express. Hotham climb concludes at the Hull Skier Bridge, the entrance to the Mt. The first section is a steady 11km except The Meg at the 5.6km mark (300m at ~10%). The town has an Australian Rules football team competing in the Ovens & King Football League. From Bright there are dozens of great day-trips to places like Beechworth, Harrietville, Mt Hotham, Falls Creek & Dinner Plain just to mention a few. For more about the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail, read Kerri's article about the section between Beechworth and Everton. Bright to Wandiligong 5.5km. I also second the comment made above about finishing the climb at the Horn. The decent is fun, not to quick, but you still Need to check your speed coming into the corners also keeping a keen eye out for rough patches of Rd & wild life. 1.5km after leaving the alpine forest behind, the road flattens out briefly before it plunges toward the valley. Rode Mount Hotham on the 17 December 2013 on my 39 year old Peugeot and again last Sunday (2 March) on my Jamis flat bar road bike (26/34 gearing). I rode Buffalo on Wednesday after riding Dinner Plain on Tuesday, and the views on both rides were amazing. Hotham climb is often attempted from the township of Bright with the 24km ride from Bright to Harrietville acting as a perfect warm-up. Buffalo climb can be found here. The long steep climbs of the Victorian High Country have become synonymous with Australian road cycling, playing host to annual events like the Alpine Classic and the Peaks Challenge and, each summer, attracting pedaling pilgrims to complete the 7 Peaks Challenge a self-paced program of seven rides that take cyclists on some of the most challenging but rewarding road rides in the country. Your email address will not be published. This year 5 of the 7 peaks have been climbed riding the Peugeot. We reached the tree line at sunrise. For more info please see our website. The first 10k is complete climbing with very little rest. I climbed Mt Hotham in the dark on Australia Day as part of the ACE250. The good news is that you'll be treated to some amazing views, and once you reach Hotham Village there is a fair bit of downhill to the town of Omeo. The joy of riding uphill & a guide to Victoria's best climbs. Murray to Mountains Rail Trail map (free), Alpine National Park map-includes locations of some camping spots (free, click on the park notes link at the bottom of the page), Where:Yarra Valley, Yarra Ranges, east of Melbourne, Surface:about 50/50 sealed/unsealed. While shorter ride options are available, climbing Mt. Share on Twitter There was a perfect blue sky above. Will I be allowed to ride up if cars are forced to fit chains and would I even be able to get traction to ride up? As usual, lots of other events, all non-race recreational, but challenging none the less! There are many dirt roads and 4WD tracks that cut their way through the rugged bush-clad mountains around Harrietville. The climb ends at the Mt. I reckon I saw two cars on the ascent and one on the descent. Picture: Visit Victoria. Its nice to Big Dog it through the false Flat too. E-bikes are fun after all; you put a teeny bit of oomph into the pedal and the bike gently kicks off like a trusty old horse. The trail is flat and fully sealed, suitable for both road bikes and mountain bikes. These trails are remote and include steep and difficult sections. To book email or phone 03 5759 2524 or 0402 377 101 Please check your entries and try again. Some short gravel sections which can be a bit rough. Thank you Matt, Ill let you know if I find the time to get there again fresh. From the Chalet theres still a couple of hundred metres in altitude to gain on what is far and away the best bit of the Buffalo Road. Hey, for a really nice ride instead of turning off Mt Buffalo Rd just keep riding up past Lake Catani we stopped in at the kiosk/shop just past the lake. I dont really have a problem with this but it seems to consistently catch people out. I rode down first 1hr, then up 2hr2 mins. Hi Matt FYI your JPG and google maps linked arent loading. What Hotels used to be like. best climb in Aus in my books, you will love it! Wouldnt have thought I could. Whether it be Mountain Bikes, Recreational Bikes or Road Bikes Cyclepath have you covered. Harrietville is a peaceful mountain village which offers hiking, cycling, swimming, short and easy walking trails, family fun and an abundance of local produce and delicious food. The Great Valley Trail proposed alignment (Bright to Harrietville) is out for public comment. There are many different rides suitable for novices and the experienced rider. Bright OnBike was a comfortable clean unit located in a small complex off the main road heading into Bright. Its a great climb steady but not egregious gradients although the Garmin did hit 10% a couple of times and 13% once. The final section begins at 19.7km and features two short descents (at 22.9km and 27km) . Share by Email. Opposite the police station. a short 10-km (round trip) Bright to Wandiligong. TikTok video from Vanlife Shots (@vanlife.shots): "Cycling Bright to Harrietville #cycle #travelaustralia #explore #dailyvlog #vanlifetravel #bikelife #travelvlog". The park has some of Australias most exciting trails, featuring manicured flow trails, gnarly downhills and cross country single track. Read More. One kilometre later the road bends sharply and very steeply around to the left. Read More. Hotham climb is often attempted from the township of Bright with the 24km ride from Bright to Harrietville acting as a perfect warm-up. On this quiet brisk morning in porepunkah off I headed, giving me a rolling 5km warm up and leading me into the start of the climb. Bright to Harrietville Return (Flat) via bike path Cycling Route Save Share Details 59.0 km 262 m A very scenic and generally flat ride via a bitumen sealed bike path with many new sections. 390 km (3.5 hours drive) NE of Melbourne. Accommodation of various sorts is available in many of the nearby towns including Bright, Porepunkah, Freeburgh, Germantown and Wandiligong. I think this is now a preferred end to the ride over the Chalet site. Buffalo begins at the Mt. 800m further up the road there is a considerable break in the tree line and breathtaking views are possible to the right-hand side of the road. Cycling: The Audax Alpine Classic cycle event is run every Australia Day weekend by Audax Australia with over 2000 cyclists descending on Bright. But nothing prepared me for that final 5km of climbing. Mont Ventoux soon. The trail follows the Ovens River and explores the beautiful valley between Bright and Harrietville. Bright to Harrietville by bus The bus journey time between Bright and Harrietville is around 25 min and covers a distance of around 24 km. The ride can be divided roughly into three sections: Wangaratta to Harrietville (102km)-this mainly flat ride takes you through the Ovens Valley, past the towns of Myrtleford, Bright and Harrietville. Hey Alexandra. The trail is flat and fully sealed, suitable for both road bikes and mountain bikes. the start of The Meg, which is a steep RHer and if you enter too fast, you cant do much about it. Follow the rail trail from the center of Bright towards the Tawonga Gap turnoff andt then wind your way through eucalypts and our spectacular valley to arrive in Harrietville where you can find refreshments. Wind your way through eucalypts, along the river and through the spectacular valley to arrive in Harrietville where you can find refreshments. Operated by Public Transport Victoria, the Bright to Harrietville bus service departs from Alpine Hotel/Anderson St and arrives in Pioneer Park/Great Alpine Rd. Conversation flowed easily in the darkness. Road riding around Bright is just a matter of picking a road and heading off, but some of the recognised ride loops include: - Wandiligong (14 km return) - Harrietville (48 km return) - Buckland Valley (38 km return) - Mount Buffalo (84 km return) Road Riding Events Harrietville 3741 MAP Short Walks Category 3 hours Est. The top section is very exposed and would be extremely unpleasant/dangerous in bad weather. Views were stunning and I was lucky with the weather, warm but plenty of cloud cover. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for AERIAL VIEW OVENS VALLEY BETWEEN HARRIETVILLE & BRIGHT VIC. After some time I found a rhythm, the false flat was a welcome change hitting speeds in excess of 30km h. Each unit comes with a patio, a fully equipped kitchen with a microwave, a seating area with a sofa, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with shower and a hairdryer. See more information about bike riding in Bright here. The Great Valley Trail isa new family friendly shared cycle trail between Bright and Harrietville. We pay our respect to their Elders, past, present and emerging. Over 100kms of sealed off road trail links the popular towns of Wangaratta, Beechworth, Rutherglen, Bright, Myrtleford and Yackandandah. I am a cyclist that does ride around hilly terrains, having ridden lake mountain, buffalo, tawonga etc. While shorter ride options are available, climbing Mt. Note to anyone taking it on for the first time use a compact a 53/39 like Im running is just brutal. Mystic Bike Park is becoming recognised as one of the best mountain bike parks in Victoria. It is one of the best mountain bike parks in Australia with over 50 kms of trails for all levels (beginner to double-black diamond) with a massive vertical drop of 800 m. The trails comprise of hand-built, The Murray to Mountains rail trails are located in North Eastern Victoria (250 km from Melbourne) and consist of 3 sections with a total distance of 116 km. And the road crews have done a great job IMHO fixing it up. This may seem like stating the very obvious but if you plan to ride back to Harrietville after the climb; the roll downs to the Hull Skier Bridge, the Diamantina and the CRB Hill turn into short but sharp climbs. V-lineruns three train services a day between Melbourne and Albury (which stops at Wangaratta) and three services a day between Bairnsdale and Melbourne. I found the climb reasonable until the MEG. The thought of a hot coffee and meat pie kept me pedalling! - Harrietville (48 km return) . Well I tackled this monster last weekend in the 2023 alpine classic, due to falls creek landslides the route was changed to include Hotham. Welcome to Harrietville and Mt Beauty. Another great ride report and of one of my favourite climbs did this one twice in the week before the ACE. the final corner, another RHer into Harrietville. Buffalo is located roughly 350km north-east of Melbourne and 35km west of the nearest regional centre, Bright. Harrietville/Bright to Dinner Plain. I stopped a few time to take photos but rode continuously from the 11k mark (Mackey Lockout) to the Chalet. If the challenge of conquering this great mountain isnt enough for you, its always possible to time your ascent. Thank you we will be sending an email with more info very soon! 1.1km at 10% might not sound all that challenging but after 22.7km of climbing this stretch makes for a slow and painful grind. Ive climbed Hotham in summer, spring and autumn and theyve all been fine. Website Just looked at the Strava times and my 2 hours doesnt look too flash in comparison, though I passed a few people on the way and I was happy with it. [8] I set off from Bright at 4AM with a couple of hundred other riders. Albury Airport to Mount Hotham/Falls Creek. Want to see how your time up Mt. All Terrain Cycles offer a great range of bikes for hire in Bright. The first 10 kms are quite challenging at 6% for the first 5 kms and 7% for the second; The Meg is particularly steep and challenging and will surely get you out of the saddle. I quickly found a bunch that was doing a nice easy speed. ? Please check your entries and try again. Last year I climbed Mount Hotham from Harrietville on my Trek Madone 3.1 with 34/30 gearing making three ascent on three different bikes. Some sections of the route are on the main road so please use caution with passing traffic. Im not sure what the opening hours are, but so far its been open every time Ive been there. This region is worth lingering in due to the number of things you can do there. The ascent of Mt. Well done! The Meg rears up at you with already 700m of vertical or so in the legs. Accommodation and services are available in most towns en route. The gently undulating trail follows the Ovens River and explores the beautiful valley between Bright and Harrietville. At around 9% this 1.4km section is the final challenge and arguably the toughest section of the climb. We will generally respond to your enquiry within 12 hours. var year = today.getFullYear() Flexible pick up & return times for your group. * Reef mining commenced in the area in 1861. At 72 I feel proud to have climbed to the top of CRB hill yesterday. What is it like to ride it with cars on the road? After a slow grind to the top of the Diamantina the road reaches a crest at the 29.7km mark. After a sharp 600m descent the road heads skyward again, snaking its way majestically along the ridge line for 700m. After a year or so, it was those brakes on descending that sent me off to buy a new road bike. The property is modern and the beds very comfortable. In one place about a third of the way up. The dirt road at the end isnt too bad, and the view from the little car park and lookout is superb! Created By Cam O The Mt. The General Store is normally open and very cyclist friendly After 18.4km of climbing your efforts will be rewarded with a downhill section 700m in length. As I ascended my legs quickly remembered the previous 3 days of solid mountain biking I had undergone competing in the bright national champs. Always take two bottles up this climb no matter what the weather due to time on the bike(maybe thats just the pace I go anyway) . Ride High Country supported by Best In Class rider services and catering. Surely the finish of any climb is the top where you cant climb any more. Proudly powered by WordPress. For bike maintenance and repairs find a bike station on the corner of Great Alpine Road and Feathertop Track at the Harrietville Hotel Motel. The Meg, CRB Hill and Diamantina Hill were nasty, but the rest of the climb was quite manageable. Theres hardly any car traffic up there and what little cars there are give you plenty of room. Melbourne to Dinner Plain (snow season only) Via Southern Cross station, Melbourne Airport, Wangaratta station, Myrtleford, Bright, Harrietville, Mount Hotham. Mt. Your legs are dead but the hills just get bigger and bigger. Also, I could not find a sandwich on the mountain! Rode BawBaw with you and Hells 500 last year, and love your work. At 55 and cycling for less than a year, I refer to your site prior to any climb. The road is lovely, the views are spectacular, and the descent back down to Lake Catani is superb. - Wandiligong (14 km return) Hotham climb: CRB Hill. CYCLING IN HARRIETVILLE Whether you're after a relaxing ride on the bike path or a challenging mountain road climb, Harrietville has the best of both. Im not a bad climber for an old bloke with average fitness but Id never climbed anything bigger than Lavers Hill on the GVBR. They must have started pretty early I thought. The roadworks up the Harrietville side of Hotham are ongoing though March 2018 and are easily negotiated, however the sections they have resealed are IMO an utter mess for cyclists.