High Country Gravel

ByVince Masci

PostedJuly 8, 2024

With a large government grant, there are plans afoot to develop Mansfield into a premier gravel riding destination and further the North East as Victoria’s finest place to ride.

But why wait for them to erect signs? You can already ride now!
Scroll down for more pictures and information on the rides.

Mansfield to Merrijig
→58km +712m ⤏69%
Intermediate

The great thing about Mansfield is that is has these fantastically maintained gravel roads that run pretty much parallel to Mt Buller Rd with sweeping views over the countryside and Mt Buller itself. Refuel at the halfway point at the Merrijig Motor Inn.

Mt Stirling / Mt Buller Loop
→39km +1252m ⤏60%
Intermediate / Hard

Mt Stirling is a seriously dreamy climb featuring undisturbed alpine / sub-alpine forest, consistent 6% – 7% grades for most of the way and relatively smooth gravel with the odd corrugation.

Mansfield / Mt Stirling / Mt Buller Mega Loop
→129km +2445m ⤏58%
Hard

This ride is the merger of two rides, the first being the Mansfield to Merrijig loop and the second, Mt Stirling & Mt Buller Loop.

Mansfield / Maintongoon Loop
→77km +871m ⤏70%
Intermediate

A stunning little lollypop loop this one that lets you chill in and out while still get some climbing through your legs around Maintongoon Bushland Reserve.

Mansfield, Mt Samaria, Tolmie Gravel
→103km +1983m ⤏70%
Hard

If you are looking for a more challenging route out of Mansfield then this is certainly a worthy challenger.
The route twists up through Mt Samaria State Park, around to the Toombullup Plantation, into Tolmie and back out to Mansfield.

Mansfield to Bonnie Doon Return (Rail Trail)
→46km +318m ⤏96%
Easy

A nice easy rollout to Bonnie Doon and back taking advantage of The Great Victorian Rail Trail.
Safe riding on easy to ride gravel.

Goughs Bay Loop
→39km +391m ⤏46%
Easy

Unscouted but looks to be a lovely route down to Goughs Bay for lunch with a return.

Black Swamp Loop
→28km +184m ⤏91%
Easy

Another unscouted loop that looks to be good roads and a popular option.

Wandiligong via Porepunkah Plantation Gravel
→47km +865m ⤏54%
Hard

The ride begins in Bright, heading out to Porepunkah & The Buckland Valley before taking a left and climbing through The Porepunkah Plantation which is a steep gravel climb of about 12km at 6.6%. The route then follows the Demon Ridge Track overlooking Bright above and then descends down Mudhole Road into Wandiligong where you can stop for a bite at The Wandi Pub before heading back into Bright.

Mt Porepunkah Loop
→39km +1000m ⤏69%
Hard

Starting in Bright, the Mt Porepunkah Loop is a challenging gravel climb not to be taken lightly and is a fantastic little one dayer in one of the nicest regions to ride in Victoria.

Lake Buffalo – Whitfield Loop
→82km +1169m ⤏61%
Intermediate / Hard

Lake Buffalo is an absolutely stunning location popular for fishing, swimming and all-round lake leisure. Furthermore, the views looking up towards The Horn at Mt Buffalo are about as scenic as they come.
I’d never heard or Whitfield before, but its obviously a bit of a well kept secret and an extremely cute little town.