Grampians Peaks Trail Day Walks

Grampians Peaks Trail - Lake Wartook Lookout

Grampians Peaks Trail - Lower Waterfalls of Gar Walk

Grampians Peaks Trail - Signal Peak

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Day walks

Grampians National Park

Grampians National Park is part of the Gariwerd Aboriginal cultural landscape. Parks Victoria respects the deep and continuing connection that Traditional Owners have to these lands and waters, and we recognise their ongoing role in caring for Country.

Barengi Gadjin Land Council

 

Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation

Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation

Get a sample of the Grampians Peaks Trail with one of our suggested day walks. Explore the ancient, rugged landscape of Gariwerd and discover the natural beauty of the Grampians National Park.


Water safety

For your safety, having enough water along the Grampians Peaks Trail for hydration and cooking is so important. Our water information and availability page includes the locations (with latitude and longitude references) of serviced water tanks. All water tanks along the trail are untreated. So you need a safe way to treat water for drinking.


Mt Stapylton Loop

Mt Zero Picnic Area or alternatively from Stapylton Campground

Loop: 9.7km, 4 - 5hrs

Grade 4 (Hard): Challenging steep sections, rock hopping, slippery surfaces and exposed rocky outcrops.

Start: Mt Zero Picnic Area, Mt Zero Road.

Follow Grampians Peaks Trail markers for 500m up ‘Flat Rock’ to an outcrop overlooking the Stapylton Amphitheatre and the spectacular orange-coloured Taipan Wall. Continue downhill to the next track junction where the Loop walk begins. You will return to this point later.

Keep left and continue 1.3km before beginning to climb steadily up and over rocky terraces, passing ‘bird rock’.

At the Mt Stapylton summit intersection take the 600m return walk to the lower area before continuing south along the Grampians Peaks Trail. The track winds its way up, over and under rocky outcrops for the next 2.3km.

At the next track junction follow signs leaving the Grampians Peaks Trail and head west, downhill towards Pohlners Road and the Stapylton Campground track junction where the track heads north-west for 3km leading back into the Stapylton Amphitheatre and back on to the Grampians Peaks Trail.

This concludes the loop and you return to Mt Zero Picnic Area via Flat Rock.

 

Lower Waterfalls of Gar (Mt Difficult)

Troopers Creek Campground Return walk: 4.2km. 2 hours

Grade 3 (Medium): Steep sections. Steep rock steps and walking track, creek crossings, slippery rocks, and exposed cliff edges. Note: the walking track beyond the falls and on to Gar (Mt Difficult) and Briggs Bluff is Grade 4: Hard. For fit, experienced and prepared walkers only.

Start: From Troopers Creek Campground. A series of seasonal waterfalls that are best seen after rain. Spectacular views from rocky lookouts.

Follow the creek side track steadily uphill for 1.8km past the first small waterfall spilling from a wave-shaped rock. Continue on upwards enjoying fine views to finish at the base of the third waterfall. Return via the same route.

 

Lake Wartook Lookout

Mt Difficult Road Return walk: 1.1km, 40 minutes

Grade 3 (Medium): Uneven surfaces, slippery rocks, exposed cliff edges.

Start: Lake Wartook Lookout, Mt Difficult Road. Approximately 4.5km north of Boroka Lookout carpark.

From the roadside you will walk west before climbing steadily up rock staircases and over rocky terraces to finally climb through a narrow rocky slot onto the summit. Return via the same route.

 

Lake Wartook Lookout to Halls Gap

Mt Difficult Road

One-way: 10.9km, 3-4 hours

Vehicle drop/shuffle required or 20.7km return, 6-7 hours

Grade 4 (Hard): Challenging steep sections, rock hopping, slippery surfaces and exposed rocky outcrops.

Start: Lake Wartook Lookout, Mt Difficult Road. Note: unsealed road access to the lookout car park requires higher clearance vehicles. Limited parking available.

From Lake Wartook Lookout follow the Grampians Peaks Trail south for 1.1km to cross the Mt Difficult Road and for 2km walk through low forest before taking steep descending steps into taller forest. It is a gradual downhill walk south via the Chatauqua Peak saddle, Clematiss Falls and the Botanic Gardens into Halls Gap.

 

Signal Peak

Mt Abrupt Carpark

Return walk: 7.8km, 3 - 4 hours

Grade 4 (Hard): Challenging steep sections, rock hopping, slippery surfaces and exposed rocky outcrops.

Start: Mt Abrupt Carpark. Cross the Grampians Tourist Road and follow the signs to Mt Abrupt and Signal Peak. The track steadily rises through low forest, crossing several landslides that occurred in 2011.

Turn right after 1.7km at the track junction. Signal Peak is 2.2km from here. Follow the track for 2.2km as it winds below a rocky escarpment and through a saddle with tall trees. From the saddle the track climbs up onto the drier western slopes of Signal Peak passing through heathy vegetation before finally reaching the summit at an elevation of 780m.

 

More Grampians Peaks Trail experiences

Find out more about other options for hiking experiences along the Grampians Peaks Trail.
Two friends walk along the track south of Redmans Bluff with views of the Serra Range in the background on central section 3 of the GPT

Grampians Peaks Trail

The Grampians Peaks Trail (160km) is a world-class 13-day hiking experience from Mt Zero in the north, through Halls Gap and finishing at Dunkeld. It can also be completed in shorter sections.
A young man offers his hand to his walking partner at the summit of The Pinnacle in the Grampians National Park.

The Pinnacle walks

Choose from two different routes up to The Pinnacle lookout – an easy to medium walk from Sundial Carpark and a more challenging walk from Wonderland Carpark.
Walking through the Wonderland Range on Central Section 1 of the Grampians Peaks Trail

Overnight Hikes

Choose from two different 2-day hikes available and explore the trail that little bit further.

Brambuk The National Park and Cultural Centre

Before setting off on your Grampians Peaks Trail hike, visit Brambuk the National Park and Cultural Centre in Halls Gap for topographical maps and speak to knowledgeable staff for the latest park information.

Grampians Peaks Trail Day Walks

This area is well known for its wildlife. Keep an eye out for:

Kangaroos
Emus
Echidnas

How to get there

Day walks

The Grampians Peaks Trail currently starts and finishes in Halls Gap, which is a good starting point for anyone looking to walk or hike any of the trails in the Grampians National Park. The 260 km drive to Halls Gap from Melbourne along the Western or Glenelg Highways takes about 3 hours. There are approaches to Halls Gap via Stawell, Ararat or Dunkeld.

Need to know

Day walks

Change of Conditions

Nature being nature, sometimes conditions can change at short notice. It’s a good idea to check this page ahead of your visit for any updates.

  • Grampians National Park

    Grampians Peaks Trail - Helicopter Air-Lift Operations

    Helicopter Air-Lift Operations are scheduled along Grampians Peaks Trail at Barigar, Werdug, Barri Yalug and Mud-dadjug Hiker Camps, from Tuesday 30 May 2023 to Friday 2 June 2023

    Temporary walking track and road closures will be in place as staff work to remove toilet pods at Barigar, Werdug, Barri Yalug, Mud-dadjug Hiker Camps along the Grampians Peaks Trail. Please follow advice of signage and remain clear of closed areas. Staff will be on ground with hard closures while the operation is underway. This operation will only take place under favourable weather conditions.

    Temporary closures will be in place at:

    ·      Barigar, Werdug, Barri Yalug, Mud-dadjug Hiker Camps
    ·      Walking tracks and Management Vehicle tracks north and south of hike in campgrounds
    ·      Wartook, Werdug, Roses Gap, Mt William and Piccaninny Helipads
    ·      Piccaninny East Carpark

    For further information, please visit Brambuk the National Park and Cultural Centre or call Parks Victoria on 13 1963

    Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park Road Updates 26.05.2023

    Red Rock Road and Mitchell Road are closed until further notice.

    The following road and track closures are in place for roadworks until 2/6/2023.
     
    Syphon Road
    Roses Creek Road
    Zumsteins Short Cut
    Lodge Road
    Wallaby Rocks Track
    Phillip Island Track

    Redman Road is closed for roadworks from Wednesday 31/5/2023 until further notice

    Seasonal Road Closures

    Seasonal road closures are in place due to flood damage. They have been in place since November 2022. Seasonal roads will gradually reopen after repair works and final assessments are completed.

    Please see the latest road report attachment for full road and track details at the end of this notice.

    Attachments: Grampians (Gariwerd) NP Road Report 26.05.2023 (191KB)

    Watchtower (access trail) - Trail remediation and improvement works

    The popular Watchtower designated climbing area located near Halls Gap in the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park is undergoing trail remediation and improvement works. 

    Works commenced on the base trail on Monday (22 May), with completion anticipated in early July 2023. These include the removal of old damaged and degraded timber steps, significant repairs to the existing stone access trail and construction of new stone steps and drains. 


Similar experiences at other parks

 
A woman with a small backpack walks along a road surrounded by hills

Short and Day Walks

Take a day trip and choose from a variety of hikes up to six hours in length. Hikes range in difficulty from easy to hard, through varying terrain.
Family walks together on a coastal track at Wilsons Promontory

Day walks at the Prom

There are many walks around the Prom. The walks provide a perfect opportunities to view native wildlife including kangaroos, wallabies, emus and wombats as well as some spectacular views.

Walking in Werribee Gorge

Step out on a quiet walk for some birdwatching or discover the amazing shapes, colours and textures present in the ancient geological examples on display in the cliffs above the river gorge. Early morning hikes in the warmer seasons can be rewarded with a rockpool paddle.
A woman in a purple shirt scrambles up through rocky terrain along the path.

Sugarloaf Saddle

Park information, picnic ground, parking and toilets are available at Sugarloaf Saddle, which is the starting point for walks such as Canyon Track and Wells Cave Track.
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