Melbourne's best gravel cycling rides together on one map

ByVince Masci

PostedJune 30, 2024

On this map, you’ll find a collection of easy, intermediate & hard rides around Melbourne.
Scroll down for more pictures and information.

Woodlands Historic Park
→78km +504m ⤏19%
Easy

An extremely relaxed gravel and bike path route just outside of Melbourne starting along the Capital City Trail before hitting the Moonee Ponds Creek Trail via “The Cheesestick”, through West Meadows for a coffee, into and around The Woodlands Historic Park and up Gellibrand Hill before a stop off at Cannoli Bar in Avondale Heights and meandering the Maribyrnong River Trail & Footscray Rd Bike Path back into Albert Park.

Pettys Orchard Loop
→65km +411m ⤏40%
Easy

Likely the most popular gravel trail loop in Melbourne, Petty’s Orchard has a fantastic organic cafe for your mid-ride coffee and they specialise in lunch, treats and cakes (not open Monday or Tuesday).

Kinglake & Toolangi NP
→89km +1946m ⤏78%
Hard

A tricky route with lots of climbing and no supplies for its entirety. In saying that, many rewarding sections of superb gravel, elevated views and majestic scenery. Start at the St Andrews Bakery to get your fill before tackling this monster!

Hurstbridge / Whittlesea Gravel
→80km +1200m ⤏62%
Intermediate to Hard

If you’re looking for a nice and moderate gravel spin through the Greenwedge, you’re in for a treat with this tasty little loop starting in Hurstbridge and straddling the endless back country gravel road network that’ll take you out the back through Strathewen and Yan Yean.

Nillumbik Gravel Loop
→80km +1200m ⤏62%
Intermediate to Hard

Northern Groadies Gravel Loop
→63km +1100m ⤏63%
Intermediate to Hard

Another beautiful Northern Groadies loop that takes in the best gravel roads that this region has to offer. Make sure you bring your climbing legs as there’s some absolute lung busters in this route and a bit of sneaky single track towards the later stages as well.

Northern Groadies Strathewan Loop
→48km +858m ⤏51%
Intermediate

Wandong Gravel Loop
→85km +1538m ⤏62%
Hard

Wandong isn’t somewhere I have done much riding but not for good reason. Quiet roads, dense parklands and incredible state forests surround this area making for some amazing riding.

Highlands Fling
→115km +1541m ⤏59%
Hard

This route is a mixed terrain Audax ride that features every year in April starting in Yea, Victoria. The Hihland Fling is a butterfly loop with the township of Yea in its centre so if you weren't up for the full 115km, you can easily cut the route in in half.

Dirty Donna
→62km +1187m ⤏41%
Hard

One major climb up the backside of Mt Dona Buang which makes for some pretty special riding followed by a ramble through The O'Shannassy Aqueduct Trail.

Mt Beenak Gravel
→75km +1244m ⤏82%
Hard

Start and finish on the Warubrton Rail Trai with a lovely climb up Mt Beenak. If you are on a montain bike you can explore The Bugger Break Track. (if not, stick to the road).

Bunyip State Park Loop
→120km +2050m ⤏82%
Hard

Smooth gravel and lots of it is what awaits you on this cracking 120km route. Definitely one of my favourite gravel rides of this distance in Melbourne. Bunyip State Park is simply massive and full of winding forest gravel trails. There’s an awesome section through a power-line cutting and plenty of views through-out.

Gembrook Gravel Explorer
→104km +2048m ⤏60%
Hard

The Dandenongs is one of the finest metro-fringe areas for riding bikes in all of Melbourne. This ride put together by @simlovescycling (instagram), is part of an Audax event of the same name, held every year around April. You can find the event here.

Macedon Ranges Gooch's Plus Audax
→104km +2048m ⤏60%
Hard

This route is a mixed terrain Audax ride that features every year in February traversing the unique and diverse landscapes that are The Macedon and Cobaw Ranges.

Macedon / Romsey Gravel
→100km +1450m ⤏50%
Hard

The ride finds a balance between deep forest and rolling countryside with a 50/50 blend of gravel and tarmac. If the wind is up as it was with me me, you’ll find yourself battling against a headwind as the route sneaks in and out of different direction.

Woodend Gravel Loop
→95m +1555m ⤏84%
Hard

If thick forest, woodlands and cracking gravel is what you seek then this ride is for you. A lovely ride through Wombat State Forest & Lederderg National Park.