Mt. Macedon (Gisborne side)
Length: 9.1km
Average gradient: 5.4%
Elevation gain: 491m
Introduction
While the ascent of Mt. Macedon is shorter from the Gisborne side than the Woodend side, it is also far steeper. With several sections maintaining a gradient in excess of 10%, this is not a climb for the faint of heart.
The start
The southern approach to Mt. Macedon begins at the ‘Welcome to Mt. Macedon’ sign, seen on the left-hand side of Mt. Macedon Road (C322) just north of Childers Road.
The finish
As with the Mt. Macedon climb from the Woodend side, this ascent ends at the stone pillars which mark the entrance to the Memorial Cross Reserve.
At a glance
- A tough climb with some very steep ramps in its first half.
- The first steep ramp is from 600m to 1.1km, the second from 1.6km to 2.6km.
- From 3km to 5.5km the road is very steep except for at 3.5km, 4.1km and 4.7km.
- Turn left at 5.5km to continue the climb.
- The final 3.6km after the turn-off are undulating with a steep 500m rise after 7.5km mark.
Climb details
The southern approach to Mt. Macedon begins with the summit clearly visible straight up the road. After climbing gently for around 600m, a sign on the left of the road declares ’12%, next 2km’. Luckily, the sign isn’t completely accurate and while 12% may well be reached in this 2km stretch, it certainly isn’t the average gradient.
The first 500m after the sign are painfully steep but after that it flattens off slightly for 500m, past Mt. Macedon Primary School on the left. At the 1.6km mark the gradient increases and 400m later it increases again.
By the time 2.6km have been ridden the first of the climb’s tough sections has been completed. Flattening off somewhat, Mt. Macedon Road continues to wind its way gradually upward for the next 400m before another sign – “13%, next 2km”.
Unfortunately this sign is significantly more accurate than the first gradient advisory sign. From the “13%” sign at the 3km mark until the Memorial Cross turn-off at 5.5km, you will find yourself grinding slowly up the steep incline.
Luckily though, this steep stretch is punctuated by several flatter sections – 3.5km, 4.1km and 4.7km into the climb respectively - where brief respite is possible. The last of the flatter sections extends for some 200m before resuming a painful gradient for the 600m to the Memorial Cross turn-off.
At the 5.5km mark, turn left onto Cameron Drive (C328) and push through another 200m of relatively steep climbing. As you crest the hill the hard work is done. The final 3.2km from the Camels Hump to the Memorial Cross undulates quite substantially with several short downhill sections.
The most challenging part of these final kilometres is a fairly-steep stretch that starts at the 7.5km mark and sits at around 8 or 9% for 500m. Compared to the two steep sections in the climb’s first half however, these final kilometres are relatively painless.
Profile
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Location
Mt. Macedon is located around 70km north-west of Melbourne and is best accessed via the Calder Freeway (M79). To get to the start of the climb, take the Mount Macedon Road (C322) turn-off which is around 5.5km after the main Gisborne turn-off. The start of the climb is just past Childers Road on the left, 5.0km from the freeway off-ramp.
With the Calder Freeway being open for cycle traffic north of Sunshine Avenue, there is scope for a Melbourne to Mt. Macedon return trip. For those that choose to drive to the base of the climb, the trip is a little less than an hour from the centre of Melbourne.
Times
If you are looking to post a time up this steep climb, you can do so over at Cycle2Max. Bear in mind that the starting location for the timed climb is the corner of Brougham Road and Mount Macedon Road, a couple hundred metres before the ‘Welcome to Mt. Macedon’ sign. The Strava segment for this climb can be found here.
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Thanks for the site info. Love cycling and love climbing although not a light weight I still enjoy the challenge.
Next time at Mt Macedon. Try Alton Road. This is one that the locals will use and tourist use the main roads up. (Not that I’m from there).
The grade’s go from 10% and end at the top of the climb at leg / lung bursting 25% (at least thats what my Garmin was telling me). Fortunately that 25% is only for 100 meters. After that try to recover and hit the gravel road for about 4km. Then hop on to cameron drive and then finish it off to the cross. Just something different as once you’ve done the main road a few times, this is a great alternative. Looks impressive on Map my ride lots of purple (20%+)
Hi Tony. Thanks for that tip. I’ll be sure to check it out when I head up there next! Glad you are getting some use out of the site too – good to hear!
I took Alton Rd road early one morning back In Dec, for the first time. Wow, its picturesque, quite and steep, with some nice corners. It was misty (Low Cloud?) and was very eary… It gets very narrow at the top. I turned when I hit the dirt and came back down, the front rim was almost to hot to touch at the bottom… and I was using the back brake as much as possible to avoid overheating the front.
Whats the elevation of Alton rd? I thought the climb was awesome
Macedon Rangers is such an awsom place for training, south side of the Mt is a very tough but rewarding climb, watch out for the roos when descending into woodend though, have had quite a few close calls.
Its great that now even more of Alton road has been sealed legs sure do feel it when the grade kicks up to the mid 20%, amazing views on clear day but find it more enjoyable when the weathers against you
Just got back from a trip to Macedon, a great spot alright. Both the main climbs are great – Woodend side isn’t too steep and lets you appreciate the views and lack of traffic, Gisbourne side is a real tough climb. Also went up Alton road – it’s a bit of a gem alright, the first k or so is not so steep with cool little hairpin bends, but after that it gets really really steep, made it to the gravel (which looked in ok condition) and turned back. Also tried the ride up from the hanging rock side – straw’s lane I think – intersection with Romsey – Woodend road, which gives another nice option – its a little under 5k @7% to the camel’s hump.
1st time up macedon this morning – rewarding climb up the gisborne side…agree that first section @12% was optimistic, but 2+3 sections were tough! Nice decent into Woodend too. Absolutely loved this ride – will be back again soon.
Hi Vass. thanks for your comment. ‘Tis a great climb. Did you do the other side as well? Well worth the effort!
Hi, love the website. I use Mt Macedon as my 3 peaks training mountain. Starting in Gisborne I ride straws lane side from behind Hanging Rock twice, and the Gisborne side twice, cutting through Woodend twice. Awesome ride, over 2.4 vertical climbing metres, over 130km. Second time up Gisborne side is mental torture but rewarding. Great place to train.
Matt, thanks s much for this site, it’s truly and inspiration. We climbed the Woodend side and Gisborne side on Saturday morning. The write-up was great in helping me mentally plan for the climb. As you eluded to, the Woodend side is a breeze, the Gisborne side has some very steep gradients, my Garmin showed 14% at times. The whole time I kept thinking, “this isn’t so bad, just think of what the 3 Peaks riders are going to experience tomorrow”. So thanks again, tomorrow we’re off to Donna Buang, I’m going to be on my CX bike which will give a very nice and cruisy gearing option (36/46 – 12/25). The CX bike will also make quick work of the Warby trail and the Don Rd descent. The 3 Peaks is over now, well done!
Had a crack at the Gisborne side early this morning. As accurately described in Matt’s review, this is a very tough grind. Unless you’re a real mountain goat climber, you’ll just be looking to hang on. My speedpo was reading 4-6 km/h in sections.
Having parked at the little info stand/public dunnies at the base, I pretty much headed straight up the mountain after a 1-2km warmup. Somewhat amusingly, the 10 km chime on my Garmin wasn’t reached until the 48 minute mark. That’s never happened before and is testament to the gradient on this climb. At least I managed a wry grin.
I’d recommend doing this climb on a cool morning. You’re going to be in the red zone pretty quick, so adding in high tempreatures would make it very difficult.
The climb descent over to woodend and climb back is a nice way to recover your legs and continue getting the ks in them for whatever event you’re training for (me – the Alpine Classic).
Not sure what it’s like to climb during the day, but early morning there wasn’t a soul around. I was passed by 1 car on the way up, and saw a total of 4 cylcists out and about this morning.
I always enjoy Macedon, it is a challenging climb with great views, for a trip with a differenc; I find if you catch Vline to Gisborne ride over Macedon and descend to Wooden but turn back at Boundary Road, back over Macedon again and follow the road to Riddles Creek you can pick up the Vline back to Melbourne, http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/163116064.
It gives you over 780 metres of climbing and a bit of leg spinning to work the lactic acid out at the end, not many cars either!
Thanks for the site it keeps me Climbing those Hills
Seddon
BTW the descent back down towards the Macedon township is a cracker, pretty easy to hit 80+.