The best road cycling routes in Upper Nepean State Conservation Area

No, the Upper Nepean State Conservation Area is currently closed to public access. This closure is in place to protect the Sydney Catchment Authority Special Area, which safeguards the drinking water supply for Greater Sydney.

The area is closed to protect the critical drinking water supply for Greater Sydney, the Illawarra, and Wollondilly Shire. Its primary focus is water quality protection, managed jointly by the National Parks and Wildlife Service and WaterNSW.

If accessible, the area would offer varied topography with significant elevation changes, set within natural bushland. Routes could feature elevation gains up to 3,000 feet, catering to both challenging and moderate rides on mostly well-paved surfaces.

While currently inaccessible, komoot users have mapped routes such as the Roadbike loop from Robertson Nature Reserve (23.5 km) and the Mount Gibraltar Reserve loop from Mittagong (43.6 km). These routes showcase the area's varied terrain and bushland.

Based on mapped routes, the region features a mix of moderate to difficult rides. For instance, the Jamberoo Lookout – High-Speed Downhill loop from Mittagong is classified as difficult, involving substantial elevation changes over its 111 km distance.

The area protects an undisturbed landscape recognized for its biodiversity, including 13 threatened ecological communities, 9 threatened plant species, and 32 threatened animal species, such as a significant koala population. It also encompasses features related to the Nepean River's upper catchment.

Yes, the Upper Nepean State Conservation Area holds significance for the freshwater Dharawal (or Tharawal) People and inland Gundungurra People, providing a physical and cultural link between them.

You can find official information regarding the area's management and conservation status on the NSW government environment website. For example, the plan of management is available at nsw.gov.au.

While the Upper Nepean State Conservation Area is closed, nearby regions like the Southern Highlands offer diverse road cycling opportunities with varied terrain and scenic bushland, similar to the characteristics described for the conservation area.

There are 14 road cycling routes documented for the Upper Nepean State Conservation Area on komoot, ranging from moderate to difficult, showcasing the area's potential for diverse rides if it were accessible.

The routes in Upper Nepean State Conservation Area are highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 5.0 stars from over 2 reviews. Cyclists often appreciate the varied topography and natural bushland, despite the current access restrictions.