Grade: M-XX
Distance: 40km
Road Conditions: Fairly quiet, mostly rural roads. Steep hill down to the crossing.
Route: A return trip starting from Weston Park via Cotter Rd and Uriarra Rd to Uriarra Crossing.
Map: Canberra Cycleways Map and 1:100 000 Topographic Map of the Australian Capital Territory.
Starting Point:Weston Park.
Description:
From Weston Park cycle southward up Novar St and at the top of the hill turn right into Dudley St which leads to the Cotter Rd. Turn westwards (right) onto the Cotter Rd and follow this for about 12 km before turning right again into Uriarra Rd. (An alternative route is to turn right out of Weston Park and follow the cycle path clockwise around Lake Burley Griffin until the path junction about 300 metres before Scrivener Dam. Turn left here and across a wooden bridge. Follow the cycle path along the left bank of the Molonglo River until it reaches the Cotter Road at its junction with Streeton Drive. Turn right into Cotter Road to the Uriarra Road junction).
From the Uriarra Road junction the road passes through lovely undulating farmland for about 8 km until you reach the Crossing.
The Crossing is just upstream of the junction of the Murrumbidgee and Molonglo Rivers, and offers swimming, toilet and barbecue facilities. The best place to get to the river is from the turnoff about one kilometre before the crossing is reached. Another nice spot is just past the crossing and about 100 metres downstream.
Points along the Uriarra Rd afford excellent views across the Murrumbidgee Valley towards the Brindabella Mountains.
Allow plenty of time for the return trip as there is a steep climb coming back up from the river.
More information about the Murrumbidgee River in the ACT