A gravel ride starting at Denman Prospect shops and riding towards the Murrumbidgee River after crossing Butters Bridge. Return along the same route. The ride is a maximum 17km return, 150m rise and mostly flat. Magnificent views of the Molonglo River along the route. Ideal as a family ride.
This ride is currently not possible due to the Butters Bridge closure.
Namarag Molonglo Special Purpose Reserve construction works have closed the Butters Bridge at its north end. Bridge access is possible from the south end (Denman Prospect) just for the view. (Stand 6 February 2021)
Getting there
Getting to the starting point at Denman Prospect shops is described in Denman Prospect base camp. The route is shown below and the GPX file can be downloaded from Komoot. If you have a smartphone, install Komoot directly on that.
The route
Pipe Flat runs within the Molonglo River Reserve. The Whitlam estate can close Pipe Flat at times but it is currently unlikely. There is a private property at the end of the road. The signs remind you in no uncertain terms not to enter and to go back. No locked gates will need to be crossed along the route. Kama is part of the Molonglo River Reserve and passed along the way. There are no locked gates between Pipe Flat and Kama but we cannot ride in Kama reserve.
Start the ride at Denman Prospect, seen below from Butters Bridge. Mount Stromlo can be seen behind Denman Prospect.
Along the way, you will ride between a graveyard of boulders and dead trees. This is building material for the Namarag special nature reserve planned for this area.
“These residential estates will provide open space amenities such as parks and playgrounds, irrigated playing fields and picnic facilities. Namarag is not be an urban open space. Instead, the design of the reserve aims to reinstate natural reserve values with high quality, innovative and best practice landscape, restoration and preservation techniques.”
Molonglo Special Purpose Reserve (Namarag) Development Application
View of Butters Bridge as you approach Pipe Flat.
Look back across the river to see the management trail that forms the tail end of the Denman Prospect forest loop.
From Butters Bridge turn left onto Pipe Flat. The turnoff is shown below. The road is well maintained as it is used by trucks at times for the construction of the Whitlam estate.
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