Avoid a long car shuffle by having us drop you at the trail head. Also, I could not find a sandwich on the mountain! CRB Hill ends at Renes Lookout as the road flattens off quite noticeably. With the school holid, Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing Transport Options, www.obee.com.au/theharrietvillesnowlinehotel. Immerse yourself in the history and vibrant hues of Walhalla. I did this ride on 27 December 2013. The diversion to Bright was not without its benefits - there are a lot of choices of places . Bike Riding in Bright Bright is without question, one of Australia's best biking destinations with incredible mountain bike trails, epic road cycling rides, an amazing rail trail & local bike paths. The trip was organised by one of the guys who I've met through Croydon Cycleworks and they have been going for a few years now. The amount of traffic probably goes up on the weekend and during school holidays. The Mt. If the challenge of conquering this great mountain isnt enough for you, its always possible to time your ascent. never ridden hotham. Road cycling enthusiasts love the challenge of the nearby hill climbs like Mt Hotham, Falls Creek and Mt Buffalo. Another great ride report and of one of my favourite climbs did this one twice in the week before the ACE. The Great Valley Trail is a new family friendly shared cycle trail between Bright and Harrietville. To Do & See - Shadybrook Cottages Harrietville Victoria To get to the base of the climb, you'll ride from Bright up a . We pay our respect to their Elders, past, present and emerging. Hothams final 11km come as a rather rude shock. Bright to Harrietville - Great Valley Trail - Bright Winter would be a different story though. Great Valley Trail | Alpine Shire Council A steady, consistent climb with some stunning views throughout. After a year or so, it was those brakes on descending that sent me off to buy a new road bike. Bright OnBike, Melbourne. a short 10-km (round trip) Bright to Wandiligong. Accommodation of various sorts is available in many of the nearby towns including Bright, Porepunkah, Freeburgh, Germantown and Wandiligong. Harrietville, halfway between Mt Hotham and Bright is a picturesque small town with a history of gold mining that dates. Alexandra. 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. . Surface:95% sealed (though a bit choppy). The new road is pretty rough and seems to take a lot of speed off your tyres making it a touch harder to keep moving. This first section of the climb is punctuated by a constantly-changing gradient with shorter, steeper sections being balanced out by comparatively easier sections. . Another great option is "Roses On The River - Bright", which is around 21 kilometres from Harrietville. 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. . Congrats Chelsea, awesome effort! High Country Tours and Mountain transport for large and small groups using our 11 seat bus & 4wd taxi. The Great Valley Trail proposed alignment (Bright to Harrietville) is out for public comment. 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. . I havent climbed it in winter but I imagine the traffic would be considerably heavier. Melbourne to Harrietville/Mount Hotham/Falls Creek. After descending sharply for 600m you will come face-to-face with one of the most iconic sections of the Mt. St Francis Of Assisi Catholic Church 1 Churches & Cathedrals By Oldjack St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church was originally located in the Buckland Valley and was moved to Harrietville in. I found the climb reasonable until the MEG. For the next few kilometres the road climbs slowly but steadily, twisting into a right-hand hairpin bend at the 8.2km mark. A cosy unit that was perfect for our family of four. 220g Wa, See you at The Snowline for TUESDAY TRIVIA - Mount Buffalo (84 km return). Kath's place is perfect for a family or a group of friends, up to 5 people. In one place about a third of the way up. Hotham climb starts at the School Bridge in the alpine village of Harrietville. Harrietville Accommodation | Harrietville Hotels & Motels Book Today! I set off from Bright at 4AM with a couple of hundred other riders. Theres a false-flat 7.6km into the climb that lasts for the best part of 2km. Hotham climb concludes at the Hull Skier Bridge, the entrance to the Mt. Omeo to Bairnsdale (122km)-You'll get some long downhill runs through open farm country before the road joins the Tambo River after Ensay (km233). Victoria's High Country | Murray to Mountains - Rail Trails Lake Mountain is next but not until my muscles recover from walking up Mt Bogong yesterday now that makes cycling feel easy. Ive climbed Hotham in summer, spring and autumn and theyve all been fine. var today = new Date() Cycling events. Ride High Country supported by Best In Class rider services and catering. There are many local goumet delights (wineries, breweries, cheeseries, etc), and many cycling side trips on offer, such as the climb up Mt Buffalo, the climb up Tawonga Gap, and a fantastic mountain bike trail network just outside of Bright. I have driven those roads a lot before and I noticed it would be difficult/dangerous for a cyclist to attempt to ride it. The range includes electric bikes ideal for rail trail riding with ranges of 90 120 kms on a single battery. Its hard to say for certain, but I reckon the road surface on Hotham has progressively deteriorated. On our last visit, we hired bikes from Cycle Path in town ($40 for an adult all day, $35 for a kid's bike, slightly less for half a day's hire) and rode the Rail Trail to Porepunkah in the morning with a leisurely milkshake/coffee stop at the Rail Trail Cafe before riding back to town for lunch. Thanks for your comment. Hotham climb. Visit Victoria: Best things to do in autumn 2023 | Herald Sun Wander in, look around, smell the serenity. Surely the finish of any climb is the top where you cant climb any more. Winery Tours | King Valley Winery Tours After 6.2km youll face another steep and very tight left-hand hairpin after which the road continues to follow the ridge line with breathtaking views possible to the right of the road. Love your site! Please check your email for further instructions. I find your website very interesting, Matt. PURCHASE A GIFT VOUCHER TODAY JUST SEND AN EMAIL TO ORGANISE I used 2 bottles on climb it would have been good to refill for ride back to Harrietville. Reading your articles helps, but nothing truly prepares you for what is to come other than to strap your your cleats and hit the slopes . By this time all of the hard work is done and you can roll down to the Hull Skier Bridge and the end of the Mt. Hey, Im very familiar with driving the Mount Hotham roads but have not ridden them before. 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. Arrived in Harrietville hands aching from modulating the brakes all of the way down and shaking from the wind chill but warmed up again returning back to Bright. It was the first time Ive done it, and it was certainly worth the effort with some beautiful views at Cresta Valley. Bright OnBike was a comfortable clean unit located in a small complex off the main road heading into Bright. 2.7km from the School Bridge the road flattens off slightly, before a sweeping right-hand bend 300m later. Harrietville is a great off-mountain base for riding the Dinner Plain Mountain Bike Park trails that weave in and out of the snow gums and rocky outcrops surrounding the alpine village. If you are on here researchin and toying with the idea climbing Mt hotham, do it!!! I rode down first 1hr, then up 2hr2 mins. Rode up Hotham for the first time in over a year doing the 3 Peaks event and I have to agree with ANTO the new road surface is rough, lumpy, bumpy and dead. The Great Valley Trail (Bright to Harrietville) The Great Valley Trail proposed alignment (Bright to Harrietville) is out for public comment. The Strava segment for the Mt. After another steep left-hand hairpin and around 7.6km of climbing the road flattens out considerably into a false flat. They also have electric mountain bikes also suited to rail trails and beginner mountain bike trails with a range of around, Cyclepath Bike Hire Bright If you are looking for bike hire in Bright, Cyclepath in Bright has a fabulous range of bikes for families and fanatics. Melbourne to Dinner Plain (snow season only) Via Southern Cross station, Melbourne Airport, Wangaratta station, Myrtleford, Bright, Harrietville, Mount Hotham. Buffalo is amazingly picturesque for most of the time not least of all due to a series of hairpin bends that cling to the mountains ridge line. The ski bridge was a welcome sight as I turned the corner. The final section begins at 19.7km and features two short descents (at 22.9km and 27km) . Length: 20.9kmAverage gradient: 4.8%Elevation gain:1,013m. The views were great and the climb was as you described it many thanks for inspiring me to take the first steps in training for this climb, I am now going on to my next challenge any ideas for the next one? The Alpine Classic isnt just a cycling event in Victorias majestic High Country, its an experience that will stay with you forever. Proudly powered by WordPress. The gently undulating trail follows the Ovens River and explores the beautiful valley between Bright and Harrietville. By this point you are well and truly into crosswind country and the road ramps upward once again, holding its gradient for the next 1.2km. Buffalo climb begins the moment you pass the tollbooth, albeit with a rather pedestrian gradient of around 5%. cycling bright to harrietville For those who like to relax, there is a good variety of touristy shops, cafes, restaurants, a local brewery and several wineries in the area. Hotham climb. What was it like for you? If the weather is good the descent is fine, if there is wind, you want to have good control of your bike and either way you want brakes that are working well . What to Do in Bright with Kids (Activities) - Style & Shenanigans ? Road riding around Bright is just a matter of picking a road and heading off, but some of the recognised ride loops include: Lucy &, Pizza Mondays are back & we have the lovely Lucy m, FRIDAY KIDS EAT FREE Hotham is a hard enough climb without having 120km including Mt Buffalo in your legs! Aerial View Ovens Valley Between Harrietville & Bright Vic. Nucolorvue Thankfully the last little bit is downhill. Unfortunately I had a different experience to Jules. A-grade riders in the Tour of Bright will complete the climb in under 80 minutes but anything under two hours is a commendable effort. Question for everyone, where to get water at Mt Hotham? Bright to Harrietville Cycle Trail - YouTube 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. The Great Valley Trail isa new family friendly shared cycle trail between Bright and Harrietville. 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? Cresting at the top to see the ominous diamondtina loomed up before me. GREAT VICTORIAN RAIL TRAIL Hotham compares? The first section is a steady 11km except The Meg at the 5.6km mark (300m at ~10%). Located in Harrietville, this apartment is 16 mi from Bright. It is one of the most affordable ways to get to the Mount Hotham Mountain Resort. Rough, lumpy, gravelly, sharp (I puncturedtwice) not at all bike friendly, particularly the descent. After a slow grind to the top of the Diamantina the road reaches a crest at the 29.7km mark. The food we had on both of the nights we stayed was of exceptional quality for this type of establishmentthe trout we ordered from the specials board wouldnt have been out of place in a 1-hat restaurant. The trail follows the Ovens River and explores the beautiful valley between Bright and Harrietville. Beechworth to Everton Station Cycling Trail. In the same year Harrietville became a resting place for those heading for the Omeo, Dargo and Glen Wills goldfields. All rooms include a private en suite bathroom, TV and continental breakfast. Buffalo can be attempted from Bright for a 70km return trip or, for a more serious days climbing, nearby climbs like the Tawonga Gap can be added. Hoys Harrietville Ski Centre Proudly powered by WordPress. , Can be very cold and windy depending on when you do the climb. 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. Ride or Walk the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail. Fog was hanging in the valleys. Id go in the summer or around autumn/spring, when there is no snow. The Harrietville shared trail is a great outing for all riders wishing to take a leisure option and head to the Mountain Fresh Trout Farm for fishing or walking amongst their extensive garden and ponds. - Gunadoo Berries, Smoko It was pitch black. harrietville cottage; haus on houghs; hidden gem; hidden haven; houghs cabin; hygge; kaighins place; kangaroo lodge; kate's cottage; kilfinan; leader views; lumley abode; mountain haven; mountain thyme; mountbatten retreat; mystic mountain lodge; on the trail; park street retreat; rustic retreat; shine bright; silver birches holiday village . Bright is a small rural town located in North Eastern Victoria approximately 320 kms (3.5 hours drive) from Melbourne. The Great Valley Trail is a new family friendly shared cycle trail between Bright and Harrietville. Harrietville, VIC - Aussie Towns The Great Valley Trail project will deliver 16 kilometres of family friendly shared trail, completing a. Last year I climbed all 7 peaks and so far this year I have climbed the 7 peaks twice with the exception of Dinner Plain and Mount Baw Baw. This was my first Alpine Climb, I loved it! The top section is very exposed and would be extremely unpleasant/dangerous in bad weather. From the Chalet its only a short flat section to Lake Catani before it keeps climbing all the way to the Cathedral, then its only another 1km+ until the end of the sealed road at the Horn. Matt, superb site. I rode Hotham again last week & it is without doubt a commendable challenge in whatever time. Its nice to Big Dog it through the false Flat too. The second section is a long false-flat from 11km to 19.7km with only minimal climbing. 1.5km after leaving the alpine forest behind, the road flattens out briefly before it plunges toward the valley. 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. The unit is very clean, has everything you need for a short stay and a great location to discover Bright and surroundings. Ill be interested to hear how much easier you find it on fresher legs! Bright to Harrietville - Great Valley Trail - Harrietville Any tips regarding it? 2. For bike maintenance and repairs find a bike station on the corner of Great Alpine Road and Feathertop Track at the Harrietville Hotel Motel. Although 30kms long the false flat middle section makes the climb very manageable and allows recovery before tackling the two challenges of CRB and Diamantina. Buffalo in Victorias north-east is among the easiest of the Victorian Alps climbs. The next 1.4 kms had me reaching to the deepest point of mental strength to continue without stopping for a break. Quality bike hire for all ages and stages. The Great Valley Trail proposed - Alpine Cycling Club | Facebook Travelling Australia in my converted Sprinter van.Watch the latest video from Vanlife Shots (@vanlife.shots). I am a cyclist that does ride around hilly terrains, having ridden lake mountain, buffalo, tawonga etc. What a jam packed Friday we have tonight. The whole network of trails stretch more than 100km from Wangaratta to Bright, with a couple of extensions connecting the trail to Beechworth, Milawa, and Harrietville. The ascent of Mt. Then it was over and the real climbing had resumed. In Victoria's high country, more than 225,000 people visit the Great Valley Trail every year, a 27-kilometre path linking Bright to Harrietville that is popular with cyclists. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a6edaf848e6a4f7b6fdbe7f5b63f6934" );document.getElementById("dbaaa3f9ae").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Here's where to hike, eat, and stay in Victoria's Harrietville & Mt Beauty. The ascent of Mt. The road narrows to a single lane controlled by traffic lights! Free chilled water!!! The Great Alpine road is a well known tourist road so it's pretty busy in the summer holiday period. Ive done Arthurs Seat, all major climbs around Canberra and Mt Buffalo, and this climb far exceeded all of these climbs. Kerri has also recently completed the Camperdown to Timboon Rail Trail. A theme by CSSIgniter.com - Powered by WordPress, Large, clean rooms, a nice big radiator to dry your wet gear and a pub thats easy to get comfortable in. Bright to Harrietville - 3 ways to travel via bus, taxi, and car The last of the climbs on the way back finished not a metre too soon. Hi Matt FYI your JPG and google maps linked arent loading. Covers the whole ride. Thanks for your site, I am reading this looking forward to returning to Hotham soon, thanks for the inspiration. Buffalo climb can be found here. The darkness focused my attention on my riding mates for the day. Washington Creek via Bon Accord Track - Victoria's High Country Buffalo plateau take a left-hand turn and climb the last couple kilometres to the Mt. Picture: Visit Victoria. One such hairpin comes at the 4.5km mark as the road bends sharply, and at an increased gradient, around to the right. At 55 and cycling for less than a year, I refer to your site prior to any climb. Its still rideable and they are managing the traffic. Note that there is a fairly long stretch between Swifts Creek (km215) and Bruthen (km284) where no supplies are available. 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. 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. Best of Bright Road Cycling Trails & Events - remotetraveler.com Great website! 4.4km into the climb the road gets noticeably steeper as it bends around sharply to the left. Something went wrong. best climb in Aus in my books, you will love it! cycling bright to harrietville He then attended KCC and began his college baseball career as a pitcher for the Cavaliers in 1988. It seemed to stretch slightly different calf muscles on me. 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. After a pleasantly pedestrian false-flat section, Mt. I commend you Matt for both your accuracy and ability to communicate. 8. I hear you Mike! Melbourne to Harrietville/Mount Hotham/Falls Creek. I am already planning for my next adventure to the cycling Mecca to endure the epic climbs in some of the most beautiful country on this great continent. 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. Harrietville to the Razorback(Dimatina Hut) for Mount Feathertop walks. Im not a bad climber for an old bloke with average fitness but Id never climbed anything bigger than Lavers Hill on the GVBR. Tour of Bright: a legend two decades in the making - CyclingTips Since 2014, I have ridden up twice more, 2015 and 2016, loved it each time and my times are getting faster too despite me getting older. I had a weekend cycling around Beechworth and took in Buffalo. A key feature is the longest unbroken gravity trail (10 kms) with a whopping 535. Relax with a full flavoured craft beer, either outside on the Hop Terrace looking over the riverside parkland or, Alpine Classic Bright (Victoria, Australia). There are many bush camping opportunities, with some particularly nice spots on the banks of the Tambo River between Ensay and Bruthen. 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. Harrietville/Bright to Mount Hotham. Something went wrong. To book a stay at Bright OnBike, please visit our Bookings page.All other enquiries to Bright OnBike can be made below. To see how your time compares to other riders and to post your best time, head over to the Strava segment for the Mt. At the 10km mark youll pass The Font and an amazing rock face on the left of the road. We recognise the ancient and continuing presence of the First Peoples on these lands and their important role as caretakers of these Countries. The trail is a 26km sealed, family friendly trail that connects Bright to Harrietville. Cyclists coming from Melbourne are best advised to take the Hume Freeway (M31) to Wangaratta before turning east onto the Great Alpine Road (B500). Just completed this ride and can confirm it is by far the most difficult ride I have ever done. The scenery was stunning, the climb was great exercise and the descent was massive fun. Hi Mike, 22 Best Things to Do in Bright in Victoria's High Country Your email address will not be published. As for it being open: it is probably the most exposed climb Ive done (behind maybe Mt. The 10 best accommodation in Harrietville, Australia | Booking.com Be aware that it can be cold, wet and windy at any time of year in the high mountains. Delays, semi-sealed sections, gravel. Opposite the police station. Can be done on a road bike, though some may prefer a gravel bike. After 18.4km of climbing your efforts will be rewarded with a downhill section 700m in length. At the 14.8km mark, after several kilometres of fairly gradual climbing, the snow gums that were previously visible are now on both sides of the road. Charter Bus & 4wd Taxi | The Harrietville Snowline Hotel 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. The ascent of Mt. William in the Grampians) but its not scary or dangerous. 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. Twenty Seventeen theme modified by Matt de Neef. Completed Hotham over Easter for the first time. So, take your own supplies for your arrival unless you positively know you can get a feed. Located just past Mount Hotham, the MTB park is open in summer and has a range of professionally built beginner, intermediate and advanced flow and cross-country trails that are easily accessed from the village centre. For those riders from Omeo end beware! With crucial information like maps, gradients, distances, terrain, where to stay, where to get water, etc. While shorter ride options are available, climbing Mt. It will take the average rider between two and three hours to ascend. The Diamantina is quite uncalled for after all that climbing in the first 28km. 1.3km later the gradient increases marginally but not enough to cause significant discomfort. On this section supplies can only be obtained at Hotham Village (km133) and Dinner Plain (km145). Twenty Seventeen theme modified by Matt de Neef. The dirt road at the end isnt too bad, and the view from the little car park and lookout is superb! The biggest attraction to Bright is the Cycling. Buffalo ends at the now-closed Mt. Having had the pleasure of riding both Mt Hotham (Fri Nov 15) and Mt Ventoux in France (Sept 23 & 24) I have to say that although challenging, Hotham is nowhere near the difficulty of Ventoux from either Bedoin or Malaucene. The Murray to Mountains Rail Trail is the ideal way to discover the diverse landscape of North East Victoria. The ascent of Mt. The Mt. Your day - Your Way All our guests of the King Valley go away with memories and definitely want to return. 900m into the climb the gradient increases slightly for several hundred metres before flattening out somewhat. See more information about bike riding in Bright here. Climbed many passes in Europe and every one of them offers refreshments. Both these ascents of Mount Hotham were from Harrietville without a warm up. Yarck to Molesworth. At the 21.4km mark the road emerges from the tree line and Mt. Had fabulous weather all weekend, sunny & clear, not much wind. Weve finished lunch was only response from the staff of the general store. This afternoon Paul and I hired eBikes and took the 16 km Great Valley Trail that completes a 27 kilometre link between Harrietville and Bright, and extendin. 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. Save money on resort entry/chains and leave your vehicle in secure off mountain car parking. Home News Destinations New South Wales Blue Mountains Byron Bay Central Coast Central NSW Central Tablelands Coffs Harbour Hunter Valley Illawarra Lord Howe Island Mid-Coast The joy of riding uphill & a guide to Victoria's best climbs. Another 2.8km further up the road 11km from the start of the climb the road flattens out dramatically, signalling the start of the climbs second section a 9km false-flat. With the AFL Season less than a month away, its time to join up for, Book your table for an amazing Sunday Session on the deck with David Flower. The 27-kilometre trail extends the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail to the base of the Alps. The trail is flat and fully sealed, suitable for both road bikes and mountain bikes. And the road crews have done a great job IMHO fixing it up. Link into the 7 peaks ride. I quickly found a bunch that was doing a nice easy speed. I reached Harrietville at about 5AM and started climbing. As the road bends left at the 11.9km mark a change in the vegetation becomes apparent with dead-looking snow gums visible ahead. I have modified the Peugeot from a the original 10 speed (50/40 chain ring & 14-28 cluster) to a 15 speed with the addition of a 30 tooth granny gear chain ring. a short 10-km (round trip) is Bright to Porepunkah -sealed and mostly flat. My legs screamed in a world of pain having to be reactivated for a couple of steep sections on the way down. Rode down from Mt Hotham to Harrretville on easter Saturday with 3 other fitter friends, then something came over me & decided to ride back up! This is a great site. Whats come over me ! They must have started pretty early I thought. It will challenge you to the edge of your ability and then instantly reward you with breathtaking views that will be etched into your mind forever.