62km
1187m
41% Unpaved
No technical stuff - easy riding
No services until the end of the ride
38mm+
Dirty being gravel & Donna being Mt Donna Buang is a particularily spectacular combination provided you have sunshine and good company to bring along.
On this occasion we had both and chose to summit Mt Donna Buang via the quiet gravel back roads which weave in and out of redwoods and temperate rainforest which are unique to this wonderful part of the world.
Leaving from Yarra Junction, this ride takes you through The Don Valley & Don Rd as you climb up and up for the next 26km (at about 4.5%) reaching Donna Buang Rd and eventually the summit.
You’ll enjoy pretty much the full descent of Donna before a sharp turnoff onto The O’Shannassy Aqueduct Trail which is completely car free and immersed in lush forest.
There’s a closed bridge which is very easy to navigate around before finding yourself on the Warburton Rail Trail heading back into Yarra Junction.
If you are hungry, there’s a cute bakery just off The Warburton Rail Trail and only 1 or 2km from Yarra Junction called Gladysdale Bakehouse.
*In terms of water, there isn’t much on this ride, although there is a natural spring located along (dirty) Donna Buang Rd and at the first asphalt carpark down from Mt Donna Buang.
Terms of use: Cycle this route at your own risk. Check local weather, conditions and closures before departure. Adhere to land use rules, carry provisions, safety gear and respect the trail. This information is intended to be used as a planning resource; accuracy is not guaranteed. BIKEROUTES.com.au are not liable for any incidents during or following this route.
Getting There
Melbourne > Yarra Junction approx. 1hr 15min.
Melbourne (Southern Cross) > Lilydale Station approx. 1hr 10min
& then a 30km ride to Yarra Junction along the Warburton Rail Trail