Hike the Grampians Peaks Trail

The Grampians Peaks Trail is a 13-day/12-night one-way hike through stunning Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park, with overnight stays at 11 on-trail hike-in campsites. The route heads from Mt Zero in the north, over panoramic peaks and dramatic ridges – including the summit of Mt Difficult (Gar) – through to Halls Gap and on to Dunkeld at the southern tip of the park.

While the full hike is recommended for experienced long-distance hikers only, shorter stretches offer accessible experiences for less-seasoned walkers, from day walks to two- and three-day hikes.

Days 1 to 4: Mt Zero to Halls Gap

Day 1: Mt Zero to Barigar (12.1 kilometres) This first stretch is predominantly ridgeline hiking among enormous boulders and across rock slabs, with some forest walking. Views of the brilliant orange sandstone Taipan Wall and Mt Stapylton. Wildflowers in spring and seasonal waterfalls.

Day 2: Barigar to Gar (11.3 kilometres) Uphill woodland hiking brings views of Mt Difficult (Gar) Range before a descent. The trail follows Dead Bullock Creek up the Mt Difficult (Gar) escarpment, with a final steep, zigzagging ascent to the summit. Spring wildflowers and waterfalls follow rains.

Day 3: Gar to Werdug (14 kilometres) The trail undulates across the Mt Difficult (Gar) range to Long Creek Gully, navigating saddles and rocky slabs high above the Lake Wartook basin. Enjoy expansive ranges and Lake Wartook views from elevated Werdug campground.

Day 4: Werdug to Halls Gap (13 kilometres) This stretch ascends to panoramic Lake Wartook Lookout, one of the highest points in the ranges, before dropping down to Halls Gap. Descend the eastern slope through rocky gardens and a tall wet forest with fern undergrowth.

Note: no on-trail campsite in Halls Gap; book own off-trail accommodation.

Days 5 to 13: Halls Gap to Dunkeld

Check out of your accommodation and resume your hike from the Halls Gap trailhead to Dunkeld.

Day 5: Halls Gap to Bugiga (8.9 kilometres) The trail takes in rock formations the Grand Canyon and Silent Street, and climbs past waterfalls to The Pinnacle lookout for scenic views. Continue along rocky ridges, forest trail, and among mesmerising sandstone gorges and formations.

Day 6: Bugiga to Barri-Yalug (14.7 kilometres) Climb through wet tall forest to the slopes of Mt Rosea and continue steeply through rocky boulders to the summit. Descend similar terrain to Fyans Creek, then navigate more forest and rocky slopes to Barri-Yalug.

Day 7: Barri-Yalug to Duwul 13.2 kilometres) A day of dramatic elevation changes. Pass historic water-fluming on dry stone pillars as the trail climbs to Seven Dials, descends, then scales Redman Bluff (1017 metres) to its rocky cairn. Descend past tea tree, pond and plateau, with a cliff-edge trail before Duwul campground.

Day 8: Duwul to Durd Durd (14.5 kilometres) Day 8 summits Mt William (Duwul; 1167 metres), the highest point in the national park, then navigates the challenging Major Mitchell Plateau across rocks and mesh walkway. Ridgeline walking to Banksia Hill with a descent into meadow-like open woodlands.

Day 9: Durd Durd to Yarram (11.9 kilometres) The trail descends from its elevation, requiring some strenuous ridgeline rock walking. Big views of the dramatic Serra Range. Sheltered woodland valleys await at the bottom and, in late winter and spring, wildflowers.

Day 10: Yarram to Wannon (11.1 kilometres) Continue on an undulating stretch, navigating knolls and saddles, along the southernmost Mt William ridgeline. The trail leads through old growth forest and swampland plains, and gives views over both lush farmland and the jagged Serra Range.

Day 11: Wannon to Djardji-djawara (11.3 kilometres) The terrain changes to valley heathland, swampland and grasslands between Mt William and the Serra Ranges. Discover abundant spring wildflowers and threatened native species including the long-nosed potoroo and southern brown bandicoot.

Day 12: Djardji-djawara to Mud-Dadjug (8.1 kilometres) The trail climbs and descends again on steep sections with rock steps and boulders, first to Signal Peak, then to the summit of exposed Mt Abrupt (Mad-Dadjug). Follow the creek line down amid eucalypts and tea tree, with precipitous steps leading to camp.

Day 13: Mud-Dadjug to Dunkeld (14.8 kilometres) Gear up for the final stretch. Descend steeply before climbing Bainnggug (the Piccaninny) and Mt Sturgeon (Wurgarri). Take in stunning southern Grampians peaks and volcanic plains views before descending to Dunkeld through farmland and red gum woodland.

Shorter hikes range from day walks to three-day hikes across the northern, central and southern ranges. Many of the shorter hikes link up, so you can shape an itinerary that suits your degree of experience, skill, fitness and time.

Day hikes

Day hikes take in various features of the full Grampians Peaks Trail, including Lake Wartook Lookout, Signal Peak, Mt Stapylton, Mt Abrupt (Mud-Dadjug) and Mt Difficult (Gar). Day hike tracks intersect with the Grampians Peaks Trail for short stretches. Learn more at parks.vic.gov.au.

Overnight hikes

Mt Zero to Gar Trailhead (16 kilometres) Follows Day 1 of the main trail, with views of the Taipan Wall and Mt Stapylton, to set up camp at Barigar campground (12.1 kilometres), with a quick 3.9 kilometre exit to the Gar Trailhead on the second day.

Halls Gap to Borough Huts (22.3 kilometres) Follow Day 5 of the main trail, through the Grand Canyon and to The Pinnacle, to camp at Gugiga campground (9 kilometres). Scale Mt Rosea the following day before descending to Borough Huts Campground (13.3 kilometres).

Cassidy Gap Road to Dunkeld (22.1 kilometres) Join the trail for the final two days, climbing Signal Peak and Mt Abrupt (Mud-Dadjug) before overnighting at Mud-Dadjug campground (7.3 kilometres). Traverse Bainnggug (the Piccaninny) and Mt Sturgeon (Wurgarri), before descending to Dunkeld.

Three-day hikes

There are five options for picking up the Grampians Peaks Trail for a three-day/two-night hike, with on-trail walk-in camping: Gar and Werdug (34.4 kilometres); Bugiga and Barri-Yalug (24.4 kilometres); Duwul and Durd Durd (28.3 kilometres); Yarram and Wannon (24 kilometres); and Djardji-Djawara and Mud-Dadjug (33.6 kilometres). See more at parks.vic.gov.au.