We traced an old horse trail through the centre of Tasmania

Photos: Kirk Jones and Dave Smales

A route most would save for long summer days and slow, steady weeks — we took it on in mid-June. Four days. Gravel bikes. No camping gear; just small pubs along the way and whatever the weather decided to give us.

The Tasmanian Trail runs 400–500 km depending on where you begin and where you call it finished. Our version ended at the edge of the island before the overnight ferry back to the mainland.

In winter, the ride becomes remote, raw, unpredictable. We had snow, wind, closed roads, no reception. A line through a place that felt untouched.