Mini Dirty Boonah

Route Length: 97km

Difficulty: Super hard

Surface Type: Mixture of bitumen and gravel roads

Suitable For: Experienced gravel grinders

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(18 reviews)

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Grit your teeth for some gravel!

There is a reason they call this part of the world “the Scenic Rim”.

For this whole ride, the views to the Border Ranges to the south are simply spectacular.

Make sure that you take a quick breather at the top of every hill, because otherwise you’re missing a major part of what makes this ride memorable.

There are many many variations of this ride, and by linking the back roads around Boonah you can easily make it any distance from 50km to 150km.

This version is right in the middle, so it is suitable for those with good fitness and some gravel riding skills. We reckon it’s too exposed for the height of summer, so choose your time of year carefully.

The ride along the ridgeline on Cannon Creek Road is one of the great delights of backroads cycling … keeping your eyes on the road is the trickiest task because there are views left and right the whole way.

The ride around Maroon Dam doesn’t have many places to fill your water bottle so make sure you have plenty of water on board when you start the ride. The climb up Fletcher Rd to Carneys Creek Rd is a tough slog with some sections of 15 percent gradient, but the views and the downhill which follow makes it all worthwhile.

Boonah has plenty of places for a great feed before or after you ride. The Dugandan Hotel just south of town is a favourite place to replenish those electrolytes.

What’s In the Area?

FOOD: The town of Boonah is quite the hub and you won’t have any problems finding a bite to eat. Hummingbirds Natural Pantry and Cafe has some amazing menu items.

THINGS TO DO: Apart from riding the Scenic Rim has much to offer including plenty of hikes and of course Moogerah Dam.

BIKE SHOP:  No dedicated bike shop in Boonah, but Far Outdoors might be able to help out with a tube or tyre. The closest bike shop is Scenic Rim Sports in Beaudesert.

AMENITIES: As shown on the RideWithGPS map, Mount Alford and Boonah have public toilets.

ACCOMMODATION: Into glamping? Look no further than Ketchup’s Bank Glamping. There are motels in Boonah, and low-cost camping at the Boonah Showgrounds.