Riding The Australian Alpine Epic Trail

Words: Dom Geoghegan
Photos: Matt Rousu

Whether you've ridden it or not you’ll have heard your friends talk about it, some may have complained about the climbs, others raved about the infamous final descent. At the very least you’ll have seen a photo of the iconic “enjoy” log. 

The Epic trail spans 46km from Mt Buller across to Mt Stirling before traversing along ridges to the final 10km descent back toward Mirimbah. With over 2000m descending it's a big day out, and don't be fooled by those who have described the Epic as a descending trail; sorry it's not. There’s still 1000m of quite challenging climbing out there, but if you're physically and mentally prepared for this you will end up enjoying the incredible descents way more! This is a unique trail and one worth tackling, even if you don't like climbing.

Upon arriving at Mt Buller we loaded up with supplies, with lots of snacks in our pockets with spares and a rain jacket stuffed into my frame storage. This is an alpine environment and it pays to be prepared. We hit the trail at sunrise to avoid storms that were forecast for the afternoon and got treated with a pretty special sunrise from the Epic trailhead before heading across to One Tree Hill.

One defining feature of the Epic that you'll encounter almost immediately is the switchbacks. We joked about counting them but lost count after a kilometre! If you struggle with riding them, don't worry you'll be a master by the end of the day. They're still the best way to get a trail up a steep slope, and alpine areas have plenty of steep terrain.

After the first quick climb the Gang Gangs descent starts leading you to Corn Hill and the reinvented Trigger Happy trail. Once a tough climbing trail, it has now been reversed and transformed into maybe one of Mt Buller’s best descents thanks to the work done by Contour Works last summer. Littered with schralp-able berms and rollers that entice you to double them, it replaces the old loose “baby head rocks” fire road descent to take you all the way down to Howqua Gap.

From Howqua Gap the first big climb hits with the Stonefly ascent, a beautiful stretch of singletrack, albeit steep and tight! This section was built way back when 26 inch wheels were king and wheelbases were much shorter than on my big enduro bike. Kudos to those who can clean every switchback on a modern bike. A quick fire road descent from Bluff Spur Hut will have you at Telephone Box Junction, there is a cafe here but it’s not always open.

The next sector is tough, I see no reason to sugar coat it. This long fire road climb is where you’ll appreciate your snacks you’ve packed with many spots to stop that have sweeping views across to Mt Buller. At this point I also wished I wasn't on my enduro bike, a modern “down country” bike is probably ideal or a trail bike would make the climbs a little easier and an eMTB would make this a breeze.

From the top of the climb the final 10km descent begins, with a little fire road sector at the start you’ll soon hit the Enjoy log and then the real deal begins. Sweeping from berm to berm, roller to roller, the trail opens up the further you descend. Every corner seems to build your confidence to go faster and carry more speed through the next one as your smile gets wider! Soon you’ll be spotting gaps between rollers and berms, some may be achievable first run, others are big enough to warrant planning another trip the next weekend. The final descent is definitely one of Australia’s longest and best, making the final climb worth it.

From the end of the singletrack a high speed fire road descent (watch out for water ruts behind the water bars) will take you to the last singletrack traverse to Mirimbah where a well earned dip in the river or a feed from the Mirimbah store is awaiting!

GETTING THERE

Mt Buller is a 3.5 hour drive from Melbourne, take caution on the last leg from Mansfield to Mt Buller especially at night, wildlife is abundant.

TECHNICAL NATURE

Whilst rated as a black trail the technical nature of the descents isn't that hard, maybe closer to a blue but the climb up stonefly is one section that meets a black trail. There's lots of tight switchbacks. It's definitely rated black for fitness, so bring your climbing legs or an eMTB.

YOU’LL NEED 

Everything to be self-sufficient in the wilderness. There's no food or water on the trail so bring ample. A spare tube and a derailleur hanger are also a must here, with plenty of sticks and rocks about ready to inflict damage to your bike.

DISTANCES

The trail is 46km long with just about 2000m descending. Don’t underestimate the ride as there's still 1000m of climbing to get you to that sweet final descent.

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE

Check ahead to see if the cafe at Telephone Box Junction is open, a coffee here would be a treat but don't let it being closed get you down.

BEST TIME OF YEAR

The Epic trail often opens later than the other trails at Buller due to the remote access to make sure it is safe. Late December to April is the best time to make your plans.

WHILE IN THE AREA 

Hit up the gravity trails around the Mt Buller village or do some laps on the Delatite River trail.

LOCAL BIKE SHOPS 

All Terrain Cycles are located in the village square and offer repairs, bike hire and guided tours. 

REGULAR EVENTS

The Alpenflow Epic ride races the Epic trail. Yep that's a 50km marathon with double the descending vs climbing, See you there! Its on the 13th of March in 2023.

FACILITIES 

Toilets: Yes at Mt Buller, Telephone Box Junction and Mirimbah
Drinking Water: No, only at the start and finish
Parking: Parking is available at the Village Square or at Mirimbah Park at the bottom
Trails Signposted: Yes, but download Trailforks and download the maps, you don't really want to get lost out here
Mobile Reception: Telstra – patchy, Optus – patchy. There's reception at the start but it drops in and out once past Telephone Box Junction
Shelter: Yes, numerous huts along the way however nothing past Telephone Box Junction
BBQ Facilities: Yes, in Mirimbah park
Accommodation: Yes, plenty of options at Mt Buller

RATINGS

Technicality 3/5
Fitness level 5/5
Cross-country 5/5
Trail 5/5
All-mountain 2/5