Should you kick-on with the locals? The fourth bridge(overStony Creek) will be built during December. You jump off briefly to cross the Great Alpine Road (one of the few road crossings along the trail) and then cruise down the back way past the golf course and over a long bridge high above the Ovens River, where stopping to stare at the running water is mandatory. . Youve got your copy of the Bright & Surrounds Cycle Guide and, having already ridden the Bright to Wandi Shared Path, decide to ride to Porepunkah on the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail, and maybe even the Great Valley Trail if youre feeling up to it. The guardrail is complete - this will form the physical barrier between the trail and the traffic lanes on the Great Alpine Road. - Gunadoo Berries, Smoko The Great Valley Trail project is brand new 16 kilometres of family friendly shared trail, completing a 27 kilometre link between Harrietville and Bright, and extending the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail to the base of the Alps. Please contact customer service if you require any further information. Via Bright, Harrietville, Hotham Snowball Express : Melbourne to Dinner Plain (snow season only) Via Southern Cross station, Melbourne Airport, Wangaratta station, Myrtleford, Bright, Harrietville, Mount Hotham Hotham Bus : by AIR. By the end of October we anticipate having all of the trail formation constructed, and a base layer of pavement. Having arranged a shuttle to take us to Harrietville, we get fitted out with wonders of modern cycling at Bright Electric Bikes. You have plenty of time to stop and admire the great outdoors. Mount Beauty, a side trip off the Great Alpine Road through the Tawonga Gap, with its spectacular lookout over the Kiewa Valley sits at the base of Victorias highest peak, Mt Bogong. It really is a stunning area & the . The mountains provide dramatic backdrops to any walk in Bright and surrounds. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Get ready for a big month, because March is absolutely packed full of amazing events. A bunch of us are heading up to a great Italian woodfired pizza place in Myrtleford tonight. Turn east back toward town, following the bike path alongside Standish Street. The track alignment through this section follows existing walking and vehicle tracks through the site. Cyclists, carry repair and first aid kits. Victoria's most iconic cycling route, the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail, has finally reached the mountains, and in the great tradition of these things, they've left the best to last. Arriving at midday, we pulled up at the Harrietville Hotel hungry and welcoming our rest. For the first few kilometres, the trail shadows the Great Alpine Road, but with the river never far away we have cause to give way to ducks at one point. A Branch line from Everton to Beechworth is also open, a distance of approximately16Km. The full length of the Great Valley Trail from Bright to Harrietville is now open andhas beengetting plenty of useover the holidays! Wind your way through forests along Ovens River on the Great Valley Trail. The Rail Trails and shared paths in the Ovens and Kiewa Valleys are popular trails used by both walkers and cyclists, and sometimes horses. The Murray to Mountains Rail Trail follows an old train line between Wangaratta and Bright, with arms extending to Beechworth, Milawa and Wandiligong over 110km of sealed path. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. A good flowing trail network will have most trails flowing in a single direction according to their intension. . Stopover at Dollys caravan across the road. There are two undercover BBQ areas, children . Manager Chris Hall says it takes around 90 minutes to do the trail but we reckon well need double that, because from the starting point at Tavare Park we grab a coffee from Dollys caravan across the road, then take Chriss suggestion of a short detour to the Tronoh Dredge Hole. The iconic Great Alpine Road now has an equally iconic bike trail. . The Myrtleford Cycle Centre, located in the centre of town just off the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail, can assist you with bicycle sales, repairs and servicing, gear and bicycle hire. By closing this banner, scrolling this page or continuing to browse otherwise, you agree to the use of cookies and the terms outlined in the Privacy andCookiepolicies. The gently undulating trail follows the Ovens River and explores the beautiful valley between Bright and Harrietville. Signs are currently in place, and we ask that people please stay off those sections of the trail until after the asphalt has been laid, and the area reopened for use. Winding through farmland and heavily tree-lined paths, the sound of the swollen, rushing river was amplified by the steep hills on the opposite side. Bright. You pass the Bright Museum at the Old Railway Station and head up an avenue of trees adorned with candle-like purple flowers. We acknowledge the Dhudhuroa, Taungurung, Waywurru, Gunaikurnai and Jaithmathang as the First Peoples and Traditional Custodians of the Alpine Shire, which encompasses the land, water and sky of Bright & Surrounds. TTY users phone 133 677 . Although trains no longer run from the township, the 95 km Murray to the Mountains Rail Trail allows cyclists to travel . True to its name, the Great Alpine Road will get you to Victorias highest spots, and from Harrietville it rises steeply to the Mt Hotham ski resort. - The Mountain Fresh Trout and Salmon Farm, 5km from Harrietville village Typically two buses run weekly, although weekend and holiday schedules can vary so check in advance. All significant culverts and earthmoving works for the trail are either complete or nearing completion. Recently serviced Enduro/All mountain Small 29" Wheels Carbon fibre Rear travel 150mm Rear shock -fox float Scott twinlock Fork - Fox 34 Float Performance Air Fork travel - 150mm SRAM NX eagle groupset Renthal Fatbars 20mm rises Shimano MT520 Brakeset If you . The trail between Rutherglen and Wahgunyah on the Murray was completed in 2009. The total cost of the project is $2.6 million. The trail then crossed the bridge at Germantown and ran along the other side of the Ovens River under the canopy of the eucalypts and away from the hustle and bustle of busy Bright in the peak winter season. There will be another round in January, followed by planting of natives (tube stock) in April/May to select areas. The final bridge near the Trout Farm has been opened and the asphalt finished. For more about the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail, read Kerri's article about the section between Beechworth and Everton. A great trail for the family, our 4-legged fur babies too. There will be one more bridge built in Harrietville in December (near the trout farm) - which is the final one required to link the trail up. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. The team at Bright Electronic Bikes was fantastic to deal with from booking to return, ensuring that we all clearly understood how to use the bikes and the various functions before setting off and provided a detailed map for our itinerary. With the dredge hole detour and stops for water and photos, weve taken three hours to make it back to Bright. Henry . The regional city of Wangaratta, 250km north-east of Melbourne and 626km south-west of Sydney, is the starting point of the Great Alpine Road, or the B500. If you need assistance with transporting your bike to the start of your ride and/or pickup at the end of the day, the Bike Hire . [1][2][3][4], In the 1990s the line became part of the Murray to the Mountains Rail Trail. Canyon Walk and Murray to Mountains Rail Trail Loop, Murray to Mountains: Bright to Porepunkah, Coopers Road, Steves Super Highway, and Bakers Gully Loop. [1][2][3], The line carried a variety of traffic, including many tourists to Mount Buffalo, where the Victorian Railways operated the Mount Buffalo Chalet. 7. The trail is flat and fully sealed, suitable for both road bikes and mountain bikes. The Great Valley Trail project is brand new - 16 kilometres of family friendly shared trail, completing a 27 kilometre link between Harrietville and Bright, and extending the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail to the base of the Alps. Local Business. AIRPORT DISTANCE DESTINATIONS AIRLINES; Albury (New South Wales) 130 kilometres: Simple to master and easy to ride, e-bike hire starts from $55 for a half-day, which means weve got oodles of time to stop and admire these great outdoors. This gobsmackingly beautiful leg of the Rail Trail meanders alongside the Ovens River past vineyards, hops producers, orchards and groves. Public Transport Victoria operates a bus from Pioneer Park/Great Alpine Rd to Alpine Hotel/Anderson St twice a week. Bright to Harrietville - Great Valley Trail. The gently undulating trail follows the Ovens River and explores the beautiful valley between Bright and Harrietville. Whilst standing on the banks, Shan noticed on the other side of the river was a large Sambar deer who looked back at us before disappearing into the thicket. His name is Pete. For bike maintenance and repairs find a bike station on the corner of Great Alpine Road and Feathertop Track at the Harrietville Hotel Motel. Also in November, minor drainage culvert works will be finalised, and the final pavement layer will be built and prepared for asphalt application. This trail is great for hiking, running, and walking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. Melbourne to Bright by Car Depart Melbourne by The Great Valley Trail proposed alignment (Bright to Harrietville) is out for public comment. Take in views of the rolling mountains at every turn. there are plenty of things to do in Bright, a day-long or multi-day horse trek is a great alternative. Beginning as a goldmining settlement during the Victorian Gold Rush, these days you can enjoy a range of hiking, cycling, swimming and walking trails alongside an abundance of local produce and delicious food . ISBN09 596751 0 8. Hop from cellar door to farm gate to providore, before reaching your destination in Porepunkah where you can rest and relax by the Ovens River. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 6 h 23 min to complete. In Victoria's high country, more than 225,000 people visit the Great Valley Trail every year, a 27-kilometre path linking Bright to Harrietville that is popular with cyclists. Bright - Harrietville Trail (stage 1: Bright to Germantown) 10 km / 2 hours return No bushwalking experience required. Murray to Mountains Rail Trail. Bright is a sophisticated centrepoint for a Great Alpine Road experience. Follow the rail trail from the center of Bright towards the Tawonga Gap turnoff andt then wind your way through eucalypts and our spectacular valley to arrive in Harrietville where you can find refreshments. Eventually, we realise no one else is going our way, as every other cyclist is heading towards Harrietville. The Great Valley Trail project will deliver 16kilometres of family friendly shared trail, completing a27kilometre link between Harrietville and Bright, and extending the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail to the base of the Alps. Please quote this number when phoning or texting. Thank you to all that have worked on the trail. The trail will also provide a connection between the Alpine Shirescommunities of Germantown, Freeburgh, Smoko and Harrietville. ', Discover The Bright to Harrietville Trail. Melbourne to Dinner Plain (snow season only) Via Southern Cross station, Melbourne Airport, Wangaratta station, Myrtleford, Bright, Harrietville, Mount Hotham. The trail has recently been completed as is a fantastic ride, mainly on hotm. Dysons Wangaratta. I fell to the back so Ziggy who now laying comfortably in the carrier was reassured that he was with me once again. The trail is removed from the trafiic lane by 3 - 6m,but where it is close to traffic guardrail is being installed to ensure riders feel safe and protected. Time to let this beast go. Hiking and Biking transfers.