Glass House Mt - Gravel Fiesta
Scenic Gravel Ride
Type: Gravel Riding
Difficulty: Beginners – Medium
Distance: 101km
Elevation Gained: 1,182m
Estimated Moving Time: 5-6 hours
Surface Type: 30% paved 70% gravel
Summary
The most popular climbing route in Brisbane city due to the accessibility and efficiency in regards of the route option for hill training repeat.
With only less than 30 mins ride from the middle of Brisbane city, makes Mount Coot-tha as the perfect cycling destination for all levels of cyclist. There are 2 different way to reach the summit of Mount Coot-tha. The front side way (easier) and also the back side way (longer and slightly harder).
Highly recommended to try to climb the front side of Mount Coot-tha first if you are not sure about your climbing ability. Otherwise straight to the main course. Personally to experience the whole Mount Coott-tha climb i’d like to take rider to the summit via back way, do a whole loop, down the front and back up again to the summit via the front side. That way you will experience all sides of Mount Coot-tha can offer.
The profile of the climb is quite straight forward, you will be facing a pretty steep climb before the main climb itself (around the Mount Coot-tha Botanical Garden) towards the T-section. Maxed at 13% for a bit towards the end, then its flattened up and bit of descend heading towards back of Mt.Coot-tha climb.
Back side of Mt.Coot-tha climb (strava segment called Santos Tour Down Under Challenge Mt. Coot-tha Back) is a 2.6km climb, 193m elevation and 8.9% average gradient. A really interesting climb and a perfect segment for a hill repeat challenge or even a place for everesting challenge.
From the top of the climb – its not a flat ride to the summit lookout, its a beautiful rolling and winding road (highly recommended to go early morning for a sunrise at the lookout or towards sunset for a beautiful golden hours light beaming through the trees).
There’s a cafe at the summit lookout as an option for your coffee and breakfast or other options at the bottom of Coot-tha.