Grade: M-XX
Distance: 36km
Road Conditions: Fairly quiet, mostly rural roads. Steep hills into and out of the Murrumbidgee River valley.
Route: A loop ride via Cotter Rd and Uriarra Road, crossing the Murrumbidgee River at Cotter Bridge and Uriarra Crossing.
Map: Canberra Cycleways Map and 1:100 000 Topographic Map of the Australian Capital Territory. Sketch Map.
Starting Point:Corner Cotter Road and Uriarra Road
Description:
Follow the Cotter Road as it heads mostly downhill to the Murrumbidgee River at the Cotter Pumping Station and the long wooden Murrumbidgee River Bridge. Take a right fork onto Brindabella Road, about one kilometre past the bridge. The road winds steeply uphill for about three kilometres, with magnificent views over the Murrumbidgee Valley to the north and east.
Passing the small Uriarra Forestry settlement on the left, the road reaches a T junction directly opposite the entrance to the Uriarra Homestead. To the left, the road heads into the Brindabella Mountains. This ride goes right along a straight fast road on a gentle downhill until it plunges once more down to the Murrumbidgee River at Uriarra Crossing. There are pleasant picnic spots and toilets on the west bank of the river both upstream and downstream of the concrete crossing.
Crossing to the east bank of the river, the road once again heads steeply out of the valley and back towards Canberra. This time the rider is rewarded with views west towards the Brindabella Mts.
Passing the turnoff left to Coppins Crossing and Belconnen, the ride finishes back to Cotter Road. On the left just before Cotter Road is a picnic spot with toilets.
More information about the Murrumbidgee River in the ACT
