Grade: S-XX
Distance: 15km to 30km, depending on options taken
Road Conditions: Bicycle paths and maintained (mostly) forest gravel tracks.
Route: This tour allows you to explore one of Canberra's extensive pine forests that begins near Scrivener Dam and extends westward to Southwells Crossing on the Molonglo River and beyond. The possibilities are endless but this tour takes you up Dairy Farmers Hill for a sweeping view over the lake and brings you back after you've reached Deeks Drive.
Map: Canberra Cycleways Map and detailed route map.
Starting Point: Acton Ferry Terminal
Description: Introduced species of pine trees were first planted in this area in 1913. However, the name "Green Hills" was apparently first adopted in 1930 when the then Governor-General complained about the barren nature of some of the hills on the opposite side of the river from his Residence. Immediate action was taken to remedy this defect: a grove of Roman cypress was planted on one of the offending hills, and the name of "Green Hills" was applied to the area! Situated about five kilometres from the centre of the city, the plantation now allows cyclists of any age or ability the opportunity for a ride along deserted dirt roads through pine plantations. A compass might be useful to help you decide on where east and west are once you are in the forest (but you really can't get lost!).
Some of the roads are good quality dirt. Others are badly eroded. Low gears are required to climb Dairy Farmers Hill.
Cyclists following the West Basin Ride should leave the cycle path at a right exit shortly after Yarramundi Reach (about 100 metres before reaching Scrivener Dam) ,and turn right for 100 metres only onto the roadway of Lady Denman Drive. Then turn left and go under the Tuggeranong Parkway and straight ahead away from the traffic and into the forest track which is clearly marked "Stromlo Forest Drive". (The forest may also be entered from the Cotter Road at "Deeks Drive" midway between Eucumbene and Streeton Drives - named after marathon runner Robert de Castella who did a lot of his early training along these trails.)
After entering the forest from the Tuggeranong Parkway underpass turn right and then turn left at the main trail that skirts the forest keeping it on your left. By keeping the forest on your left and riding in an anticlockwise direction, you will climb to the highest point at Dairy Farmers Hill, which has a nice picnic spot as well as offering superb views over Lake Burley Griffin.
When leaving the look-out take a left turn to take you down the hill and in a westerly direction. Again sticking to the main trails only, take a left turn near the bottom of the hill and then a right again and travel parallel to the Tuggeranong Parkway along Forest Drive, passing another underpass (for horses ) on the left. A lot of the forest along here has been recently harvested.
About four kilometres along this road brings you to a bridge over the Molonglo River identified very clearly as Concrete Crossing, after which you reach the exit which brings you up onto Cotter Rd. But don't join the traffic -turn right into the forest again and on down Deeks Drive for the return journey.
At the bottom you will come to the river again where you can usually cross at Southwells Crossing. Travelling north along the west bank of the river leads to some picnic spots and pretty river views. Travelling west leads into the Mount Stromlo Forest.
Taking one of the main trails eastwards will bring you back to the Lady Denman Drive entrance. You can then either retrace your route back to the Acton Ferry Terminal or continue around the lake following the rest of the West Basin Ride.
Another ride around Green Hills Pine Plantation
