Lying between Middlemarch and Alexandra this area is a large expanse of rolling tussock land occasionally broken by large jagged rocks and swept by a constant wind. Once through the gates at each end you quickly lose sight of any sign of human civilisation with even no fences or power poles as far as the eye can see.
Long Valley Ridge Road and Serpentine Road (North End) are both dirt tracks that wind their way over the hills and meet at the Union Church. Serpentine Road also continues South from the church, if you have a GPS tracklog for that section please send it in.
In summer Long Valley Ridge Road is an Intermediate track for big bikes and the North section of the Serpentine track is also Intermediate except for the 500 metres closest to the Union Church which is very boggy and heavily rutted due to 4wd use and so gets an experienced rating. It is likely most bikes would require assistance to get through the boggy section.
In winter the entire area can become boggy so attempt at your own risk and definately don’t attempt these tracks alone.
This area is extremely exposed and remote with no human habitation and no mobile reception. Weather conditions can range from calm and clear to strong winds, rain, and snow and can change rapidly. Riders must be prepared for all weather conditions and it is recommended you carry a Personal Locater Beacon / Spot Tracker or similiar device along with some food and water even in summer.
Contributed by: @kip_mandeno
Track type: Dirt Track
Track composition: Bumpy, Loose, Undulating
Slippery when wet? Yes
Suitable for bikes <650cc? Intermediate
Suitable for bikes >650cc? Long Valley Ridge: Intermediate
Suitable for bikes >650cc? Serpentine: Experienced
River crossings? Yes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vfg7Ddt2eBs
If you shrink the map a little you’ll see a body of water to the left and one to the top. These are Manorburn Reservoir and Poolburn Reservoir respectively. Both have great gravel access roads leading to them and a number of options out.
The whole area is a strange ethereal place where you feel like you’ve left Earth and ended up on some desert planet you’ve seen on the movies (or indeed from the set of Lord of the Rings). You’ll be looking over your shoulder a lot wondering where those scary Orcs are hiding but rest assured; the Elven folk have banished them and you’ll be fine as long as you don’t stray too far from the road and end up turned around and confused (I’m told a bloke was lost for 2 weeks up there some years back. Perhaps that’s just the locals taking the piss?)
Anyway, you’ll love this area and will thank me for pointing out the dams where you can take a dip to cool off after breathing in all that dust following your mates into the area.
I left the road for a while on my enduro bike and explored out of sight of my buddies. I’m pretty sure I saw a Troll in the distance but was distracted by the half naked Faeries dancing around a small pond……………..or maybe I shouldn’t have eaten their bloody mushrooms!
Eddie will add a couple of roads soon from the Alexandra and Ophir sides. These are other ways to get to the reservoirs and equally other worldly.
Anyway; you get the point; go explore, it’s a wonderful place.
We rode the western part of Serpentine last week down to the Church it was fine for most riders but from the Church on it is only really suitable for experienced riders on smaller bikes
https://www.relive.cc/view/vPv4GM4gkRq