Seville / Mt Beenak Loop

A 73.6 km gravel loop from Seville into the forest around Mount Beenak, with about 1,131 m of climbing and a relaxed rail-trail return. Head out through Ducks Lane and the rolling roads around Yellingbo, then follow Old Beenak Road towards Kurth Kiln Regional Park. Ship Rock is an early scenic pause before the forest climb via Beenak and East Beenak roads. The steep out-and-back on Tower Track leads to the summit area at roughly 35.5 km, where a fire tower and communications mast stand above the surrounding scrub.

This is the reversed version of the ride, putting the rougher forest riding before the town stop. After descending Mount Beenak Road, the route follows Torbet, Hazeldene and Tarrango roads, avoiding Buffer Break Track. It joins the Lilydale–Warburton Rail Trail east of Yarra Junction, reaches the town near 56 km, then rolls west through open farmland and over Woori Yallock Creek Bridge before returning to Seville.

Around 78% is mapped unpaved, 18% paved and 4% has no confirmed surface label. Much of the gravel is firm forest road, but Ducks Lane and Tower Track can be rough, muddy or slippery, with steep pinches and possible hike-a-bike. Use low gears and at least 40 mm tyres; wider tyres are helpful after rain. The summit spur is about 2.7 km return and is included in the distance. If conditions or access signs rule it out, remain on Mount Beenak Road. Treat the short Ship Rock walking section as a walk, not a technical cycling challenge, and keep off wet rock edges.

Start and finish in Seville town centre, with parking and toilets at nearby Seville Recreation Reserve; pavilion works may affect access, so follow local signs. Carry enough food and drinking water for the forest section: Parks Victoria advises there is no potable water supply in Kurth Kiln Regional Park. Yarra Junction offers the main resupply opportunity before the easy return; Carriage Café is a short optional finish-day stop near Seville, subject to its opening hours. Lilydale station is roughly 15 km away along the rail trail, an extra connection not included in this loop. Download the route and check current park, forest and fire alerts before setting out. Traffic-stress colours do not describe loose surfaces, steepness or technical difficulty.