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Epic ride planning: ZigZag + Wolgan Valley + Glow-worm Tunnel - any tips?
NB: Originally posted elsewhere on the Global Riders Network and appears via syndication.
Hi
I'm thinking of organising a ride with some mates in the Blue Mountains and came across the page below whilst doing some research.
http://www.railtrails.org.au/states/trails.php3?...
Seems to me that you could string together a pretty good loop starting somewhere near Zig-Zag railway, down Blackfelllows Hand Fire trail to Wolgan Valley, then back up the old rail trail through the Glow-Worm tunnel to finish the loop. Probably 80Km all up.
Has anyone tried this before? Any tips or traps I should be aware of? Clockwise or anti-clockwise for the loop?
cheers
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http://infobluemountains.net.au/rail/upper/glow_...
I only know the last bit which is great. I have done the Old Coach Road starting from the Glow worm tunnel Road , down to intersect with the old railway near the bottom of the hill, then back up to the Glow Worm tunnel and on to where you started. The old railway is a very even grade , and has a few washouts that have to be walked . Nearer the tunnel there is a bit of walking(plus the tunnel itself). Leave enough time for this as it is all quite slow and take a torch
+1 for the coach rd.
While the run down to Black fellas hands is Ok, from there down into the Wolgan is a bit average. Nice scenary but the main rd is generally badly corrugated.
Head across the top and a few Km before the tunnels turn right onto the coach rd. Much fun, just watch the 2nd locked gate as it sneaks up on you around a blind corner.
Once you get below the cliff line you come back to the tunnel easment just above the old coal mine, hang a left and head up through the tunnels (torches needed and official a walk a bike from 100m before the tunnel to the car park.)
We often do the ride from Lithgow and get family to pick us up at the camp ground (some nice riding in the 10km below along the easement below the coal mine but some hike a bike sections. works out to be a tad over 50km and takes us about 3hrs if going steady.
I've also done the loop Lithgow, GWT rd, Coach rd and back out via the main rd and Wolgan gap. Work out as 100 with a massive climb at the 80km mark. I had wanted to go back over Blackfellas hands but was too knacked to add the extra climbing it would entail.
Out via coach rd and then back via tunnels it is I think. Perhaps with a run up to newnes if we have the time.
Cheers
The 10km down to newnes camp ground can be a good ride, it has some techie bits and some nice ST but at the moment has a lot of fall trees and is very overgrown. There are 4 or 5 washouts that require a short hike a bike regardless.
Probably worth it if you you have lots of time (You can shorten the ride and get ride of the boring fire rd by parking at the coach rd turn off) as the Valley around the camp ground is spectacular. Just before you are opposite the camp ground cross the river at the ford (if you get to the abandoned rail platform on your left you've gone too far.)
Drop into the Newnes Hotel-come-kiosk and tell Thomas I sent you
... then head back up the main rd 9km to where the coach road joins the main rd.
Back across the river and then it's a bit of a steep up until you get back onto the rail easement and hence up to the tunnels
intersection will give us more time in the valley floor. Will probably just head straight down to Wolgan Rd from end of coach rd and along it to newnes rather than the techie bit (a few roadies in the group who haven't done much technical stuff) - may also give us a chance to expolre some of those interesting looking side tracks off from glowwork rd at the end of the day ...
thanks again, this has really been helpful
there's a small $6-ish tourist book that covers this available at the NPWS info room at Glenbrook.
was just glancing through the copy of it last weekend and remembered this topic.
Hey Muffo!! Did you get around to riding this trail?
Any news?
drove out from Newnes Junction - Clarence
mainly looking at the old rail line
it's all good fire trail down to the car park past the first tunnel.
watch for motor cycles/4WD/quads near the beginning
traffic everywhere else.
there is a lot of side road that can be taken, paralleling, current road versus old rail line
but you can get lost too
from car park it is marked as walkers only to the glowworm tunnel so keep in mind not killing pedestrians, the rail embankments are quite high without fencing.
didn't see the Old Coach Rd, but it is marked with gates and car parks so it's probably walkers only too, no promises.
Coach rd is OKed in the PoM for riding. You turn right a few Ks before the first tunnel (approx 20 from the Bungleborrie picnic ground and just after Dean siding, it's the only major right turn that far out) and it's another 5km down here before the locked gate.
Glowworm tunnel walking track is also Ok to ride except the area in between the car park and 100 north of the tunnel. Just back from the second tunnel the Pagoda trail can be used to link over to the Coach rd. This has some awesome views but is a grey area for riding
Also Thomas from Newnes hotel have done a heap of work clearing the rail trail from the bottom intersection with the Coach rd down to opposite the camp ground. the washed out gullies now have nice clear steps and the trail is a hoot to ride