Kinglake
Length: 7.2km
Average gradient: 4.8%
Elevation gain: 349m
Introduction
One of the most frequently ridden and most popular cycling roads in all of Victoria, the main climb to Kinglake is one that all Victorian cyclists should attempt at least once.
The devastating bushfires of February 2009 that killed 173 people also burnt out most of the trees on the roadside, providing phenomenal views into the valley below as you climb toward the township of Kinglake.
The start
The start of the climb is designated by the winding road sign as seen in the photo below. This can be found on the Heidelberg Kinglake Road (C746), roughly 6km north-east of the township of St. Andrews.
The finish
The Kinglake climb ends at the second set of 60km/h signs as the road flattens out, just before the township of Kinglake.
At a glance
- A very popular ascent that can be seen as two climbs in one.
- The first section, lasting 4.8km, winds along the ridgeline with a gentle gradient.
- The second section, from 4.8km onwards, is noticeably steeper than the lower slopes.
Climb details
After the first couple corners, you’ll find yourself precariously balanced on the ridge line where you’ll remain for the first 5km of the climb. The initial gradient of around 4% is maintained for these first 5km and indeed the climb can be divided into two distinct sections.
The first sees the road wind narrowly along the ridge line at a modest gradient before the second half, beginning at the 4.8km mark, sees the road heading away from the ridge line, straightening up slightly and increasing in gradient.
While you shouldn’t need to be reminded to keep left while on the road, it is especially important on the climb to Kinglake where the road is so narrow in parts that only one vehicle may pass at one time. The descent, too, should be handled with care as cars coming up the hill often cut corners.
Profile
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Location
The Kinglake climb is accessible from Melbourne but a round trip from the city to Kinglake and back will add around 120km to your odometer. Various routes can be taken to get to Eltham in Melbourne’s north-east, but from there it is a matter of following Main Road to the north which turns into the Kangaroo Ground St. Andrews Road (C728).
Once through the town of St. Andrews you’ll find yourself at a t-intersection where a right turn should be taken onto the Heidelberg Kinglake Road (C746).
Times
Being one of the most popular climbs in Victoria, the Kinglake climb has many riders attempting to set personal best times or see how their times compare to others within the community. If you are one such rider, head over to Cycle2Max to upload the details of your attempt. You can find the Strava segment for the Kinglake climb here.
Done this one a few times. Good fun ride, even an amatuer like me can manage it.
Yep, it’s a nice gentle climb.
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.
Just clarifying the finishing point. It’s at the second set of dual 60kph speed signs closest to the roundabout. The first set of dual 60kph signs measures the climb as 6.88km on my Garmin.
I can’t tell which set are in your photo above, so perhaps a clarifying comment in your description would be useful.
BTW – love your site. Thanks for all the effort you go to!
Hi Anthony. Thanks for that – yep, it’s the second set, closest to the township. I’ll clarify that now.
That’s a nice ride but the traffic can be a bit hairy.
Try Bald Spur Rd to the West.
You’ll need an MTB.
I have never managed to ride it non stop – but will one day.
One of my favourite climbs and thanks to its proximity to Melbourne, my most frequent. It’s a 100km round trip from the city with a coffee break at Hurstbridge.
Just xn update on the precautions regarding road conditions. The road is 2 lanes all the way, there are no single lane sections. The descent needs to be taken cautiously due to several left hand bends that tighten in on you and numerous blind corners that are often cut by cars,
Also, after heavy rain the road is usually littered with fallen rocks and gravel do take care.
Cheers,
Anth
Not many people seem to know, but there is a fantastic 30km loop add-on to riding Kinglake. Turn right at the roundabout at the top of the Kinglake climb, heading to the Maroonda Hwy. Left at the highway, use extreme caution single file only. A few ks along on the left is the Old Glenburn – Kinglake Road. Turn here and you will be rewarded with another magnificent climb back up to Kinglake and it makes the coffee at the backery even more rewarding.
Happy Riding, Rob
I did this additional loop yesterday, and aside from the wind and two lots of rain in and around King Lake, it was a good little climb back up to KL.
You mean Melba Hwy, not Maroondah Hwy
As of 4 Feb 2012, the road has been resurfaced at the last 1.5 km or so of the climb (the straight section adjacent to Jehoshaphat Gully) to now be a gritty, Alpine type surface. Riders should beware that there was a great deal of loose gravel covering nearly all of the descending lane. If you’re descending the same climb, be careful!
Also, the Bakery appears to have closed. But, there’s a cafe next door, doing a roaring trade.
Thanks for the update Trevor!
A great alternate return route is to take a right at the main roundabout and down through the beautiful forest road to Toolangi. One of the most beautiful descents, then you’ve got the option of coming back via Healevsille and the Christmas Hills. Good coffee on the can be found at Picollo Mecannico in Diamond Creek, and there’s a new place in St. Andrews which also does a mean coffee and great wood fired food.
Thanks for the details of this route. You’d be pleased to know you have inspired me to ride to Kings Lake and I loved it! I have just gradated from a hybrid to a road bike and been enviously noticing the folks wearing their Kings Lake jersey quite proudly.
I found the road condition and surface quite good. The road was clean without any debris and the traffic was very light and slow moving (this was on a Tuesday morning around 8:30).
Note, if you are afraid of heights, you will find riding some sections along the cliff edge with no to little road shoulder quite daunting.
Love your web site.
Thank you
Well done Tooraj!
Good work Tooraj. There are some routes that ‘make’ us as riders, Beach Rd for learning how to ride in a group; the ‘Round the Bay in a Day’ for riding longer distances; Kinglake for climbing (& Macedon, & Donna Buang…); and the 3 Peaks Challenge for testing yourself beyond what you could think was possible. All great achievements.
Catch the train to Hurstbridge; alternatively, catch the train back from Hurstbridge, particularly dependent on the wind. Remember a key cycling motto: “Don’t ride like the wind; Ride with the wind!”
I used to live at the bottom of the Kinglake climb. Went through a period when I couldn’t sleep, so I would do the ride in the moonlight, about 3am. Could go up and back and not see a single car, but the wallabies were a worry!
Has anyone tried the climb out of Wallan up the South Mountain Rd then the Main Mountain Rd that gets pretty close to the highest peak in the area (Mt Disappointment)? The road surface looks OK from the little I can tell from Google Maps/Satellite view (no street view unfortunately).
The Strava Link on this climb is not at the same locations, it seems to start and finish before the signs pointed out. There is a (Cycle2max version) that is spot on as far as first yellow sign and lst 60 sign. http://www.strava.com/segments/kinglake-cycle2max-version-629743
Thanks John, all fixed.
Very good description and rider information. It’s a good solid hit-out and represents an excellent base ride if you’re wanting to add some fitness and strength to your cycling. Very popular with intermediate to strong riders who are serious about their training regime.