Bethany Reserve in the Barossa Valley is a great place to meet for a picnic or a short cycling tour.
The first part of our ride was along the Heysen Trail towards Tanunda. We crossed Basedow Road and bumped along the corrugated gravel of Neidner Road towards Magnolia Road.
After a low gradient climb we took a short break, then rolled down Light Pass Road to the Barossa Rail Trail (also known as the Jack Bobridge Trail). We turned left and headed towards Nuriootpa.
Barossa Rail Trail
The temperature was still fairly cool and it was lovely to ride the smooth trail with gum trees and vineyards on either side. When we arrived in Nuriootpa we took turns to encourage the tin lady in her cycling efforts.
The Barossa Rail Trail turns left at Nuriootpa and runs alongside the Barossa Valley Way. A hedge of small red roses borders the path.
After sixteen kilometres, we stopped to have coffee, muffins, and homemade sausage rolls at the Courtyard Coffee House in Tanunda.
On the way back we took a detour into Chateau Tanunda.
We took a second detour down a dirt track to see Bethany Cemetery – a lovely little cemetery in the middle of the vineyards, with lots of German names on the headstones.
As we followed the cemetery track out to Basedow Road, the vines were heavily laden with grapes and the leaves were just starting to yellow.
From there it was only a couple of kilometres to our start point.
Back at Bethany Reserve, Simone took this photo of me peeping out of a hollow tree.
We had cycled 21.7 kilometres and climbed 77 metres, with most of the climb in the first four kilometres.
More Ride Suggestions
For information about riding the Barossa Rail Trail between Gawler and Lyndoch read about Karen’s ride with Cycle Salisbury. Another great South Australian rail trail is the Riesling Trail in the Clare Valley, also quite close to Adelaide.
Alternatively, why not consider a Barossa backroads ride between Freeling and Greenock or Bethany, Penrice and Krondorf?
If you are interested in joining rides like this, please join our Facebook Group.
Once again great read and photos. Love the Lady in the tree. Think we should call her Possum
Was a lovely ride and morning together – thank you as always Helen 😊😊