While the Bridle Track near Melrose in the Southern Flinders Rangers is intended primarily as a four wheel drive track, it also forms part of a spectacular and challenging 80 kilometre cycling loop.
History of the Bridle Track
Between 1845 and 1879, early European settlers with packhorses used the Bridle Track to cross the range and descend to the waters of the Spencer Gulf.
Like many of our early tracks, the Bridle Track was probably an ancient trail used by the Indigeous Nukunu people of the area.
In 1879 the road through Germein Gorge opened and became the main access to the coast.
My Bridle Track Ride
Even with my eBike, I thought 80 kilometres with over 800 metres of climbing was probably too much for me, so I asked Derek to drop me at the east gate of the Bridle Track, just off Survey Road. That way, I was shortening my ride to 64 kilometres.
Bridle Track Ascent
From the gate, the Bridle Track begins with a steady 5% gradient climb of over two kilometres. The track is rough and rutted, but manageable. At the top of the climb you get your first view of the ocean.
From there, it’s a fabulous ridgetop ride for the next two kilometres,
including some very scenic double-track.
With the gorgeous, clear day, beautiful views and lovely track, I was in heaven, taking plenty of time to enjoy the views and snap photos.
As you approach the edge of the escarpment, the view widens. Soon you have beautiful panoramic views from towards Port Augusta in the north, west across Spencer Gulf to Whyalla and south to Port Pirie.
Bridle Track Descent
At this stage, I had only covered about five kilometres from the gate and still had a good 58 kilometres to go to get back to Melrose.
It was time to go down!
Just then, I noticed a 4WD vehicle slowly making its way up the track. Knowing that my descent would not be elegant, I pulled over to the side and waited for him to go through.
Slipping and sliding, I began my way down the hill. The views were amazing but the gradient was steep (up o 16%). For me, the most unnerving thing was the loose gravel.
Nevertheless I managed to slide my way down past the steepest section to a point where I was actually enjoying myself.
The Bridle Track flattened out and turned south for a while. Grass trees were plentiful and kangaroos crossed my path.
The spectacular views continued as I rolled down towards Port Germein.
Flowering wattle bordered the track, adding an extra scenic element to the ride.
Back to Melrose
At the bottom of the Bridle Track, the route uses Garden Road to connect to Germein Gorge Road.
Germein Gorge Road
While I am definitely not a fan of bitumen roads, I found myself enjoying the ascent on Germein Gorge Road. The gradient was gradual (around 3%) and only a few cars passed me.
Towards the top of the ten kilometre climb, and just before the route leaves Germein Gorge Road, I came to Bangor Historic Site.
Bangor Historic Site
When Germein Gorge Road opened in 1879, there was a lively business in carting grain from the eastern side of the ranges to Port Germein. In 1888, Thomas Turner built the Gorge Hotel at Bangor to service up to a hundred bullock and horse teams per day.
Eventually, the inland railway reached Booleroo Centre in 1910, resulting in a rapid decline in the use of Germein Gorge Road. The Gorge Hotel closed in 1911.
Today only a few stone walls, a pleasant picnic table and two information boards remain.
Blesings Garden Wines
A little further on, I came to a sign advertising that Blesing’s Garden Wines cellar door was open. While I was not in the mood for wine, I remembered that Derek and I had enjoyed some tea and scones on the verandah here a couple of years back.
I rode in to find a sign that said Devonshire Tea or Coffee was available, but “Only when Margo is home”! Fortunately I was in luck. Margo was home and soon provided me with some lovely scones and jam, as well as a welcome cup of tea.
Refreshed from the break, I continued up White Park Road. Soon after this, the Bridle Track Loop joins the Mawson Trail and then the Melrose Silo Loop to return to Melrose.
Map of the Bridle Track Loop
Although you can get a paper map which includes the Bridle Track from Over the Edge Melrose, I would recommend you also take an electronic version of the map, as I found the signage to be limited.
My Next Bridle Track Ride
I’d love to do this ride again. However, next time I’m planning a slightly shorter (53 kilometre) route starting from Murray Town and incorporating the Pipeline Track between Bridle Track Road and Germein Gorge Road. Thanks to Ian Pope of Vatican Cafe for the great idea!
With any luck, I hope to time this for when the Southern Flinders Rail Trail from Booleroo Centre to Stone Hut opens in September 2022.
Summary of the Bridle Track Loop
- Length: 80 kilometres for the full Bridle Track loop. However, you can also do a 53 kilometre loop from Murray Town. Alternatively, Kay Haarsma has designed a shorter 27 kilometre loop from Survey Road. Both these shorter options take in the full Bridle Track.
- Difficulty: Challenging, especially the descent.
- Suitable for: gravel or mountain bikes.
- Surface: Mostly gravel (82%), bitumen on Germein Gorge Road (18%)
- Signage: Limited signage, download the map in this blog or one of the shorter options highlighted in “Length” above.
- Best Times: In cooler weather as not much shade. The track is marked as “Dry Weather Only”, so don’t attempt it too soon after rain. The clearer the weather, the better the view.
- Coffee and Food: Scones and tea/coffee may be available at Blesings Garden Wines but booking is essential. Coffee shops in Melrose.
While you’re in the area, I recommend that you try the Melrose Silo Loop Trail or the newly opened Melrose Booleroo Centre Rail Trail.
