Tunnel Point Track comes in to the Lerderderg Gorge from the north. This is a ride for fit and experienced riders only as it has a very steep section coming down or going up from the gorge depending on which direction you ride it in. You will be walking these "hike a bike sections" due to the steepness of the track and riding would be dangerous and would damage the trail surface.

Personally I'd do the ride in the anticlockwise direction and climb out of the gorge as you otherwise burn your elevation gain by walking down though I have done it in this direction as well - the advantage is you don't have to push the bike downhill.

The advantage of walking up these sections however is that you gain a large amount of rideable elevation in a short distance as well as getting to see the historic Tunnel Point and some great gorge views as well. Please note that the section to the east of Tunnel Point Track is Ruth's Gully Reference Area and entry to the bush on that side of the track is prohibited by law.

The description below is taken in the clockwise direction.

The section at the base of the Tunnel Point track is extremely steep and must be walked on the steeper sections. These are short in length so this is not a major issue except that you should be fit enough to cope with the steep climbs while pushing a bike.

When you come out at the base of the Tunnel Point Track or Gribbles Track if you're coming into the tunnel from the south, you actually end up on top of the Tunnel. This section is fairly narrow and there are two large drops (say 10 metres) to either side of the trail. The area around the Tunnel should also be walked for this reason.

These trails are in a remote part of the forest so go prepared with additional water and food and be self sufficient in terms of being able to repair your bike.

Beware of snakes in the warmer parts of the year.

If you do get into trouble in the gorge, refer to your map as to the shortest way out. For this ride, if you are on the Ambler Lane, follow the track back to Chettles Road. If on the Byers Back Track section, Gribbles Track  provides  a quick (but steep) way out to O'Briens Road. Reference to the map that you should be carrying will provide the best source of this information in this area. In the gorge, there are regular markers showing the distances out of the gorge.

The following photo gallery has been taken in order from the Blackwood pub heading east through town, onto the North Blackwood Road, Chettles Road, Ambler Lane and then return via Byers Back Track.

From left to right, Blackwood Pub is the starting point for the ride (you head down Golden Point Road which is where the caravan sign is pointing). Heading east on Golden Point Road towards the mineral springs area, you then head around a slight hairpin bend corner. It was on this hairpin bend that the first gold in Blackwood was discovered - there is a memorial stone coming down the hill just prior to the corner with some information on it).

Around the bend, you come to what remains of the Royal Mail Hotel - the portion on the corner has since been demolished unfortunately. The hotel operated between 1863 and 1913. Keep heading down Golden Point Road until it turns to gravel near the North Blackwood Road turnoff (last photo above). Turn left onto North Blackwood Road.

If you wanted to skirt this on road section you could head up through Shaws Lake via the mineral springs.

Heading east from the Blackwood Pub along Golden Point Road.

An alternative start point if you wish to reduce the length of the ride, is to start at the intersection of Golden Point and North Blackwood Road as shown in the photo below - there is parking just off Golden Point Road next to the river as shown in the second photo below. This area used to be known as the 'Ford' - presumably before the bridge was put in.

Above are pictures of the ford area and the river there.

Follow North Blackwood Road from the ford area  past the security frog (well actually its now a big giraffe and gorilla)

Follow North Blackwood Road from the ford area  past the security frog, past the Shaws Lake turn off  and a short distance further on is the Tunnel Point turn off.

Tunnel Point Track starts as a reasonable track but quickly deteriorates into a washed out track. To give an idea of the surface, after about 500 metres from the start you would require a 4WD, not so much because of the gradient but because of the deep puddles (basically small mud bottomed lakes across the entire road) and the clearance required to get through the washouts. The ride through this section is quite fun because of this and the gently undulating terrain makes the ride quite quick. If you maintain speed downhill, the uphill sections are fairly readily climbed. The track continues for about 3 km like this.

Climbing out of gorge to Byers Back Track.

No video for this trail.

	Parking is available at Blackwood town centre or the river on North Blackwood Road.
	Toilet facilities are available at Blackwood (located on hill opposite pub).
	Drinking water is available at the gold stamper opposite the pub.
	Food can be obtained at the Blackwood Pub, Garden of St Erth or Blackwood Provedore (both are good).
	Local area information can be obtained from the noticeboard to the right of the Blackwood Provedore.