Cycling - Murray to the Mountains and High Country Rail Trails
Eco-friendly activity
With 100 kilometres of safe, sealed bitumen surface to pedal on, the Murray to the Mountains Rail Trail is the most developed rail trail in the state, and therefore very popular, with more than 40 000 people estimated to ride it each year. It links Wangaratta, Bright and Beechworth, and travels through the picturesque Ovens and King valleys, passing farmland, bushland and beautiful alpine scenery. There is a 15-kilometre solid climb into Beechworth, and a fun descent the other way. An average rider will take about six hours to ride from Wangaratta to Bright. Add about two hours for the Beechworth detour. V-line has a scheduled coach service between the towns, and will take bikes. Dean Woods Cycles in Wangaratta has comfy hybrid bikes for hire, including panniers.
The pretty 35-kilometre High Country Rail Trail follows the southern shore of Lake Hume, near Wodonga, with plenty of picnic spots along the way. Unfortunately it has one section in the middle on the Murray Valley Highway that is unsuitable for inexperienced riders, but the stretches either side are long enough on their own to provide a very pleasant family cycle. You will have to bring your own bikes or walk a section (no bike hire in town at the time of publication).
Contact Info
Dean Woods Cycles: 1800 353 123
Nearby Eco Activities
- Alpine National Park
- Burrowa–Pine Mountain National Park
- Bicentennial National Trail - Healesville starting point
- Baw Baw National Park
- Kayaking around Bright
- Wine-tasting - Rutherglen region
- Birdwatching in Fivebough and Tuckerbil wetlands
- Rafting - Mitta Mitta and Murray Rivers
- Cross-country skiing - Victoria's High Country
- Indigenous tour - Shepparton
