Starting and finishing in the heart of the stunning township of Marysville, and with a dramatic climb to the top of Lake Mountain to finish the timed sections of the course, the Giro della Donna has become one of the most unique and talked-about routes in Australia.

The course is unique in terms of beauty, the amount of climbing, the 13km Gravel Sector, climbing Mt Donna Buang and the true mountain-top timed finish at Lake Mountain. This is a challenge for any cyclist, but is attainable and can be enjoyed by all.

But it’s the setting that will have you reliving the ride over and again in your mind. Not far from the start in the tourist town of Marysville you’ll find yourself among tall-timbered giants on the single-lane Acheron Way. The 13km Gravel Sector of road-bike-friendly hard-packed gravel delivers you to your first challenge of the day: a consistent 6% for 8km to the summit at the top of Mt Donna Buang. An incredible 20km descent follows down to the outskirts of Warburton. From there we roll the furthest reaches of the Upper Yarra Valley where you’ll be immersed in temperate rainforest as you tackle the lesser known Reefton climb, featuring more than 180 corners as it snakes its way toward the Alpine resort, and the final challenge of the day, of Lake Mountain. The only thing left after crossing the line atop the mountain? An incredible descent back into the event village Marysville.