Road Cycling in the Snowy Mountains

The Australian Snowy Mountains region is without a doubt one of the most inspirational, breathtaking yet challenging places to road ride in the country.  The quality of the road surfaces combined with the minimal summer time traffic adds to the experience of epic climbs and the peace of the Kosciuszko National Park.
Fulfil your dream of riding the mountains amongst endless high country vistas and through the Australian ski resorts, the inspiring valleys and peaks.
A variety of road cycling routes can be undertaken both from the resort and in the Jindabyne region which can be tailored to be suitable to any level of rider – below are several routes popular with local riders and visitors alike.

1. Dead Horse Gap and beyond. 40 – 80km return.
Take the Alpine way up the Thredbo Valley to the high point of Dead Horse Gap 5km past the Thredbo Village.  A moderately challenging route which undulates up all the way out with some pinches to test you.  Leather Barrel Creek & Tom Groggin Extension – continue past Dead Horse Gap 10km’s into the valley below to Leather Barrel Creek or a further 10km to Tom Groggin and climb back up one of the toughest climbs in Australia – a genuine Hors category climb with stunning scenery to take your mind off the gradient!  Riding in the sub Alpine Forrest is a stunning experience in itself, adding to the challenge of one Australia’s great climbs.
Approximate climbing:
Dead Horse gap return = 1000m.  Leather Barrel Creek return = 1850m (graph below).
Tom Groggin return = 2200m.

2. Charlotte Pass – the highest sealed road in Australia. 115km return.
Start out down the Alpine way towards Jindabyne and turn left onto Kosciuszko Rd then don’t turn off again.  Climb via Waste Point, Rennix Gap, Smiggins, the Perisher Valley Ski Resort and onward to the Pass.  A classic ride with alot of climbing but spectacular views to Mount Kosciuszko at the top and across Lake Jindabyne coming down.  A truly inspiring ride with options to turn early for the return trip.
Approximate climbing:
Charlotte Pass = 2600m (Graph below). Perisher Valley = 2300m.  Rennix Gap: 1300m.

3. The Dalgety Loop. 115km.
After riding down the Alpine Way to Jindabyne, take the Barry Way (turn right at the big round-a-bout) and 4km south of town, turn left onto Snowy River Way to Dalgety. In Dalgety, turn left after the historic bridge across the Snowy River and head north to Berridale. FromBerridale turn left and ride back to Jindabyne on Kosciuszko Road.  A mostly undulating loop amongst the farmland with some moderate climbs.  A popular shorter option is to start and finish in Jindabyne making the loop 85km.
Approximate climbing:
From Lake Crackenback Resort = 2000m.  From Jindabyne = 1450m (Graph below).

4. Barry Way. 85km return.
After riding down the Alpine Way to Jindabyne, take the Barry Way (turn right at the big round-a-bout) and head up the hill out of Jindabyne then all the way to the end of the tar surface.  A moderate ride through the farmland with views to the Thredbo Valley peaks.  More up than down on the way out on Barry Way but enjoy the reverse coming back to town.  Start and finish in Jindabyne for a shorter option of 52km.
Approximate climbing:
From Lake Crackenback Resort = 1250m.  From Jindabyne = 800m (Graph below).

5. Eucumbene Dam. 120km return. 
Ride down the Alpine Way to Jindabyne then through town, across the Lake Jindabyne dam wall and 14km on to the intersection of Eucumbene Road and Kosciuszko Road as you take in the panoramic views across the lake.  Turn left onto Eucumbene Road.  The next 20km out is our flattest road for a gentle roll before dropping into a valley & out the other side on a steady climb.  Turn left at the top of the climb to head down to the Eucumbene Dam wall.  Shorten it…. take the same route from Jindabyne  to reduce the total length to 90km.
Approximate climbing:
From Lake Crackenback Resort = 1550m.  From Jindabyne = 1150m (Graph below)

The Lake Crackenback Resort & Spa, the Jindabyne Cycling Club and community as a whole promotes cycling in the Snowy Mountains region and encourages safe cycling.  Applying some cycling etiquette over and above the actual road or track rules plays a very important part in sustainable, fun and above all, safe cycling.

Tips for riders…..
– Never ride more than two abreast.
– Only ride two abreast if it is safe and sensible to do so – especially consider many of our roads with winding blind corners.
– Obey the road rules.
– Give a polite wave to motorists who give a particularly wide birth to you or wait behind you for a suitable overtaking  location.
– Signal upcoming pot holes to fellow cyclists following in a bunch.
– Notify others in your bunch of traffic behind the group or approaching from the front, particularly on the thinner country roads.
– Use a good quality red flashing rear light even during the day.

Tips for motorists…..
– Pass a cyclist(s) at a safe width.
– If you are travelling with a caravan, remember it is wider than your vehicle so give a wider passing width.
– If there is oncoming traffic on a thinner part of the road, take the few seconds to slow and wait for passing to be safe.
– Give a short press of your horn as you are about to pass cyclists (sometimes it’s hard to hear vehicles behind).
– After passing cyclists don’t cut in too soon in front of them.
– Be mindful that often the shoulder of the road has debris and is rougher than the traffic line therefore often not safe to ride on.