This ride follows a 4WD track over the back of the Saw Back Range to the old mining town of Adamsfield and then back out again along Clear View Road.
It combines some fun, technical riding (and yes, a bit of pushing) as you climb up and descend along saw back track to Adamsfield, then you can enjoy a bit of fossicking before a much easier return route via Clear Hill Road.
GETTING THERE
The start of this track is roughly 120kms, (1.45 – 2hrs drive) from Hobart. Head out from Hobart through New Norfolk and on towards Mt Field National Park / Lake Pedder.
Maydena (85kms) from Hobart is the last place to stop for fuel and food. From Maydena it is another 32kms to the start of the track. To find the start of the track, watch out for the signed turn off to your left to Scotts Peak Dam (@30kms). Don’t turn down here, but continue on towards Strathgordon and the start of the ride is a further 1.5kms along the road on your right. There is room for a couple of cars here, but make sure you don’t block the access to the trail.
ROUTE OPTIONS
It is recommended that you ride this circuit in an anti-clockwise direction, even though it means the ride starts and ends with steep climbs. An out and back along the Saw Back track may appeal to those who prefer the trails.
If you're wondering, it might be possible to link through to Timbs Track or Churchills Hut, but I have personally only walked in as far as the Florentine River from the other end. The river is passable (on low volumes), but I have no idea about the state of the track between the Florentine River and Adamsfield, but I can say it would be a big effort, mostly pushing and carrying, to get out from the river to the road again. I have no idea how Sven Klinge did it.
WARNINGS
This is a very remote area ride, there’s no mobile coverage and very few users, so be safe and let someone know where you are and when you’ll get back. There are a couple of shacks between Adamsfield and Clear View Road, but there’s no guarantee that anyone will be home.
I personally swear by my Spot Tracker and would recommend purchasing one to anyone who regularly heads off the phone grid, and there are no kick backs for me in saying this.
ROUTE MAP
ROUTE DESCRIPTION
The track is fairly flat for the first kilometre, but then quickly starts heading uphill through some fantastic myrtle forests. Unfortunately these same forests keep the trail pretty wet, and slippery, and rutted. The result being that most mortals will find themselves quickly pushing and riding their bike up onto the plateau. Good news the steep section is it’s only about a kilometre, and there are some beautiful old myrtles to admire on the way as you catch your breathe.
As you emerge out onto the plateau, you get to enjoy the beauty of Ibsens Peak and the Saw Back Range to your right as you continue onwards to the high point of the trail at about 5kms from the start. Just past the high point, you’ll see “Welcome Rock” about 50 metres off to your left. There is an indistinct trail into this rock from its northern side, and it is a nice spot for a break and snack before heading onwards, or should I say downwards.
The next 6kms to the Adamsfield track junction are mainly downhill, and there’s some steep and scary sections which will be beyond novice riders, but it mellows the further you go, so don’t despair if it all seems too hard at first.
Turn left when you come to Adamsfield track, and about 400 metres further along you’ll come to a sign indicating you’re in Adamsfield. Go explore then come back to these notes. From the Adamsfield site, continue down along the track for about 2.3km when you will come into a network of tracks, you basically want to follow the track that fords the creek on your left, where you’ll emerge out into some shacks which may or may not be occupied. Continue through this site and up the gravel road, where you should emerge out onto Clear View Road after about a kilometre. Turn left and follow the road.
From here it’s just over 17kms back out onto the Gordon River Road. The track undulates up and down alongside Lake Gordon, and you’ll pass through some logging coupes along the way. Overall the riding is fairly quick, although it does start to kick up in the last 2kms just before you come back out onto the main road. At the main road, turn left and continue climbing for another 1.3kms up past Boyds lookout, before a final fast run down to your car.
