Mt Field

5 Star Route / ~ Hobart, Tasmania / Published January 2019 / Version 1.0 / Directions

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Undulating, twisty road on cycling route

The first miles are undulating on a twisty B road making for a good warm up.

Gravel climbing begins on gravel cycling road

As the road turns to gravel the climbing begins.

Stop, read and learn about the forests before you. The four forests of Mt. Field.

Giant Eucalyptus (gum) trees.

Mixed forest guide, a forest of tangled trunks

Learn about the mixed forest.

Smaller gum trees with ....

... many other types of trees.

Learn about the sub-alpine woodland.

An explosion of plant species in the sub-alpine woodlands.

Smaller trees and many types of shrubs populate the hillside.

Lake Fenton alongside gravel cycling route, tasmania

Lake Fenton signals that you are nearly done with the climbing.

Learn about the alpine mosaic.

Only hardy plants and ...

... trees live here.

Lake Dobson, make the short hike out to it. ~ 100 meters.

Descending! Use caution ... you may encounter a car or two.

Making a stop to take in the last of the big views.

Eucalyptus trees, gum tree forest, gravel cycling in tasmania

Back into the Eucalyptus / Gum tree forest.

Russell Falls Visitor Center, hike and gravel cycling

Do the hike out to Russell Falls at the Visitor Center.

Paved trail to falls, gravel cycling, viewpoint

An easy paved trail leads to the falls.

Russell Falls

Pavement section of gravel cycling route

And a quick trip on the pavement back to Westerway.

Westerway Raspberry Farm, after ride local stop

Stop here for ice cream! Diagonal from the parking area.

Westerway Community Hall, gravel cycling start route

The recommended parking spot, the Westerway Community Hall.

Route:

Out & Back | 29 mi

Gain:

3,800 ft

Surface:

65% gravel, 35% paved

Technical Difficulty:

Moderate

Navigation:

Straightforward

Locale:

Remote

Tire Suggestion:

40 mm+

Options:

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Sure, you can whiz up Mt Field in a car, but you’ll miss the subtle and magnificent changes as you transition from Gum tree and fern forests through sub-alpine woodlands and then unfolding to alpine lakes at the top. All in a beautiful up and back of a few thousand feet.

Map

Brown = gravel / dirt road

Blue = single track

Red = paved road

Purple = paved bike path

GPX Download

Ride Details

When We Like to Ride This

Spring through Fall.

Terrain & Riding

The ride starts in the little town of Westerway, just a few miles from the entrance to Mt Field National Park. This extra mileage provides a nice warm up before you start the climb. The paved road winds its way out to the Visitors Center. Stop in to pay for your entrance to the park.

Then, start up the narrow gravel road, stopping at the various viewpoints and information stops. The climb remains consistent and not overly steep in terms of Tassie level climbs.

You’ll finish the climb 12.5 miles (20 Km’s) up, then roll a few more miles with a smidge more climbing to reach Lake Dobson. There’s a lovely viewing area to see the lake just a short hike of ~ 100 meters from the end of the road.

On the descent back down, keep your speed in check as you may encounter cars coming up the road. It would be easy to find yourself planted as a hood ornament on upcoming vehicle.

Now before you dash back to Westerway, stop at the Visitor Center again. Stash your bikes and hike out to the famous Russell Falls. The hike is stunning and short; an easy stroll through fern trees and along the creek. (We even spotted a platypus!). The falls are well worth it…. even for you Tassie locals who yawn at the thought of another waterfall.

The Start

Lat / Long: -42.674133, 146.790613

At the intersection of B61 and C608 at the Westerway Community Hall.

Food & Water

~ mile 5 (Km 8): Mt Field Visitor Center

Notes & Options

Route Notes

We recommend a red blinky light with rear looking radar detector (i.e. Garmin Varia)

Comments

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Keep it Local! Learn More

Westerway Raspberry Farm

After the Falls, spin back to Westerway and stop in at the Farm Gate Shop at the Westerway Raspberry Farm. Great ice cream, fresh raspberries, and coffee. We picked up some Raspberry Liqueur which was delicious.

Ridden and Reviewed by:

KevinE / Team Dirty Freehub

He should have “Never Stop Exploring” tattooed on his chest! He loves adventures on bikes and is a Co-Founder of Dirty Freehub.

LindaE (aka Gravel Girl) / Team Dirty Freehub

She loves a good day of gravel, like most people like a good book. She’s always amused by the outdoors and the wild adventures. Gravel Girl is a Co-Founder of Dirty Freehub.