Woodend Gravel Loop

A big forest day from Woodend, linking rolling gravel roads through the Wombat–Lerderderg landscape with Blackwood, Lyonville and the Domino Rail Trail. The loop is about 92.9 km with roughly 1,310 m of climbing: allow a full day rather than treating the modest-looking hills as an easy rail-trail outing. The ride starts and finishes by Woodend station, making a train-assisted trip possible when bicycle space is available.

Most of the riding is on gravel forest roads, with short singletrack sections, dirt tracks, sealed town links and a gentler former-railway section between Lyonville and Trentham. Around 40 mm tyres or wider are a sensible starting point. Expect loose stone, puddles, slippery clay and fallen branches after rain; some short sections may call for walking. These are shared roads and tracks, not a continuous protected cycling facility. Slow for walkers and horses, give forestry and other authorised vehicles room, and follow current access signs.

The outward leg passes through the forest on Fingerpost, Burnt Mill and Chettle roads before Hayden and Ruth tracks lead towards Blackwood. Near 41 km, Martin Street Coffee Roasters in the Blackwood General building and the Blackwood Hotel are optional town stops, slightly off the main line. Carry enough food and water to keep going if they are closed. The route continues towards Lyonville and follows the Domino Trail towards Trentham; do not rely on the closed Radio Springs Hotel for resupply.

There are two different bridge issues on the Domino Trail. Near Lyonville, keep to the existing signed bypass around the old Coliban railway bridge; an October 2026 rider report says the bypass water crossing now has a footbridge, but follow current signs and do not cross the unsafe heritage structure. Near Trentham, the Stony Creek railway bridge is separately closed: this route leaves the trail at Falls Road and follows Victoria Street to Station Street, avoiding the closed bridge. Those short public-road links carry traffic. The preserved Trentham station precinct is an optional detour, not an operating train station; RedBeard Bakery in town is another optional stop and trades Friday to Monday.

From Trentham the loop returns through the forest and quieter roads to Woodend. Holgate Brewhouse is an optional post-ride finish in town, beyond the station-side route endpoint. Check venue trading and meal-service times, V/Line bicycle conditions, weather, fire restrictions and current park notices before leaving. Carry tools, offline navigation and sufficient water for the long forest sections; mobile coverage and shops are not assured. The gallery shows the original 2022 ride, so it is not a guarantee of today's surfaces or bridge access.