92 - AMB
The Mt Buller Epic Trail
AustrAliA’s Epic
AlpinE JournEy
WORDS: MIKE BLEWITT PHOTOS: ANDREW RAILTONOn 6th December 2014, hordes of mountain bikers descended
(or ascended?) on Mt Buller, Victoria, for the opening of the
Australian Alpine Epic Trail. News had been around about the
trail for quite some time, but long trails in sub-alpine areas
don’t pop up overnight. There was a lot of work involved to get
this 40km route ready for the Australian public. It was years in
the process for planning and permissions, to get the funding
together to link some existing trails, rework old ones, and cut
in a lot of new trail, including the final 10km descent. All told,
World Trail counted close to 6000 man-hours in construction
alone. And that doesn’t take into account the work by land
managers and everyone involved in the administrative aspects.
The Epic trail is the only IMBA (International Mountain Bike
Association) certified Epic trail in the Southern Hemisphere.
What does that mean? IMBA state that trails of ‘epic’ status
must be demanding singletrack adventures in a natural setting,
“true backcountry riding experiences that are technically and
physically challenging, more than 80% singletrack and at least
20 miles in length.”
I looked up other trails that have gained that status, and saw
that I have actually ridden a few others around the world. And
each one stands out as a great mountain biking experience –
Monarch Crest and the Bernina Express in particular. And like
those alpine mountain bike classics, the Australian Alpine Epic
Trail takes you on a great mountain biking adventure.
Starting right in the village of Mt Buller, the trail actually begins
on pre-existing trails that make up the already brilliant network
that Bike Buller have worked towards creating. While you might
be reading this thinking about travelling to Mt Buller just for the
Epic trail, you should really stay for a bit longer. There is enough
here to keep even the fittest mountain biker entertained for at
least a long weekend.
Starting on the Family Trail, you flow down Gang Gangs, out
along the Picnic Trail, Cornhill, Woolybutt and to Howqua Gap -
then you’re met with a decision to make. So far, you have really
only had to descend, with minimal amounts of climbing. The
Epic trail leads you from Howqua Gap and onto another classic –
Stonefly. This is about a 10km loop, but you will just be doing the
6km climb. It has a few very fun descents on it, but mostly you’re
gaining altitude. If you’re not certain of your fitness, you could
just ride the dirt road down to Telephone Box Junction at this
point – and rejoin the Epic trail there. That is still a beautiful ride
through the forest, and it mostly contours around the hill. But
Stonefly is a masterpiece of purpose built trail that has settled
very well into its surrounds. The alpine grasses have encroached
on the trail, the berms are settled into the low-lying shrubs, and
it has become a brilliant test piece of technical climbing and
stamina. The Epic trail, and Stonefly, are black rated trails. They
are challenging, both physically and technically. If you love riding
and have the fitness – take on the full route.
Once you climb up, you take a left and descend to Telephone
Box Junction, down a long firetrail. In Summer, ‘TBJ’ has a café
running, and is also another option for a shuttle (see pg94). It
might be worth taking on some fuel, as you now climb again
on some old logging roads, before traversing across the slope
with great views back to Mt Buller on your left. After one more
climb, with a rest point and bike rack at the top, you’re ready to
descend.The next 10km is sweet, flowing, downhill singletrack. Berms
are plentiful, the scenery changes as you drop altitude, and there
are enough trail features to keep advanced riders entertained for
more than just one run down. There are gaps to find (and clear)
rocks to launch off, log rides, and plenty of corners to master.
The trail traverses rock faces, slides down through gullies, and
keeps you engaged the whole way down. This is one of the best
sustained descents I have ridden.Once at the bottom, you descend (more!) on a service road to
the river. Keep an eye out for 4WD traffic coming up, and watch
for any deep wheel ruts if it has been wet. The trail then turns
left upstream, and meanders along above the river to Mirimbah,
past swimming holes, above sensitive ground on elevated
bridges, and even through a sycamore grove.The trail finishes at Mirimbah car park and picnic area. Take a
break. You’ve earnt it.