The ACT has big mountains, by Australian standards, but none of them are in Canberra. Reading the article “Hill climbs of interest in the suburbs”, it is worth remembering that Canberra was built where it is because it is so flat.
The biggest climb in the suburbs is hard to say. It depends on how we define a suburb. Here are two candidates: Mount Tennent for walking and Mount Rob Roy for a mountain bike.
Mount Tennent
Tharwa is still Canberra and very close to Mount Tennent, on the edge of the Brindabella Range. The track up the mountain can only be walked from the Namadgi Visitors Centre. There is a 765 m ascend over 6.5 km, which exceeds a 10% average gradient, and a maximum of 25%.
Mount Rob Roy
Mount Rob Roy (1099m) is a prominent peak. The ride up Mount Rob Roy starts at Banks. The review of the ride can be read here.
“Mount Rob Roy can be approached from Banks via the Banks Steep Track and Rob Roy Link Track management trail. Rob Roy Link Track is the shortest way to the peak (4.4km). There is a longer way up via Rob Roy Eco Track with a steep section that is slightly longer too. On the way consider visiting the hill west off Banks Steep Track. The loop ride is 10km long.”
Mount Rob Roy: alone but not forgotten, canberra.bike, 7/6/2020
The biggest peaks in the ACT
The peaks are mostly on the Brindabella Range. Here is the list from The Walk ACT (where you will find maps too). The remote location of these peaks and the poor infrastructure makes them inaccessible to bike with only a few exceptions. Mt Gingera has a road to the top and easy reach to Mount Franklin Road.
- Bimberi Peak 1912 metres
- Mt Gingera 1857 metres
- Mt Murray 1845 metres
- Mt Kelly 1829 metres
- Mt Scabby 1790 metres
- Mt Namadgi 1780 metres
- Mt Ginnini 1762 metres
- Mt Gudgenby 1739 metres
- Little Ginnini 1735 metres
- Un-named 1724 metres
- Mt Burbidge 1721 metres
- Sentry Box 1718 metres
- Un-named 1711 metres
- Sentry Box Rock 1673 metres
- Un-named 1665 metres
- Little Bimberi 1650 metres
- Mt Franklin 1646 metres
- Un-named 1646 metres
- Un-named 1634 metres
- Mt Tidbinbilla 1615 metres
- Un-named 1615 metres
- Un-named 1614 metres
- Orroral Hill 1609 metres
- Mt Clear 1603 metres
- Mt McKheanie 1602 metres
