Backstairs Track - Little Joe Loop - Tramway Hike (12km)

Tucked into the forested hills surrounding Warburton, Victoria, the Backstairs Track – Little Joe Loop – Tramway circuit is a 12 kilometre, grade 4 hike that offers a solid half-day out with a rewarding blend of natural beauty, local history, and a decent physical challenge. Typically taking around four hours to complete, this loop appeals to those chasing a quick summit, a solid hill session, or simply a scenic escape that doesn’t require a full pack or a full day.

The route begins gently enough, heading west out of Warburton along the Lilydale-Warburton Rail Trail. It’s an easy, relaxed start that offers a good warm-up for what’s to come, so there’s no need to rush. This section is one of the most charming parts of the loop, especially in the softer morning or late afternoon light. Before long, you’ll reach Scotchmans Creek, where the trail branches off and begins to climb. This creek, named after a Scottish prospector who once searched for gold here, was one of the richest goldfields in the Upper Yarra Valley following its discovery in 1859. The stories of those gold rush days still linger quietly in the landscape.

Passing through Dolly Grey Park, a historic patch of greenery nestled at the edge of the climb, the trail begins to rise more steeply. The Backstairs Track, once known as Blackstairs, is a reminder of Warburton’s past, a packhorse route that linked Old Warburton with the newer township. Today, it’s a shaded and sometimes slippery climb through lush fern gullies and tall trees, especially in the cooler, wetter months.

At the top of Backstairs Track, the route swings around the rear of Mount Little Joe, a 469 metre hill that sits between Warburton and Millgrove. Named after Portuguese Joe, a packer and companion of the colourful local figure Yankee Jim (James McAvoy), this small but punchy peak has a wide trail that pushes directly to the summit. The climb is steep and sustained, cutting straight through a recovering forest that bears the legacy of Black Friday and Ash Wednesday. From the top, there are filtered views across the valley through gaps in the trees, offering a quiet spot to pause before descending.

Rather than retracing your steps, the loop curves beneath the northern slope of Mount Little Joe and continues back toward Warburton. If your legs are calling it a day, there’s an option to return via the Backstairs Track for a shorter, 9 kilometre version of the loop. Otherwise, the full circuit continues with a scenic diversion through Old Warburton, where a repurposed tramway track picks up the final leg. This benched trail winds gently along the hillside, crossing a few small gullies and offering a peaceful finish to the walk before dropping back down into town.

The hike is possible year-round, though after heavy rain, sections of the Backstairs Track, the slopes of Mount Little Joe, and the tramway trail can become muddy and slippery. Good footwear and some caution on the steeper sections go a long way. If you’re looking to skip the steeper part of the loop entirely, it’s easy to cut out Mount Little Joe and return down the Backstairs Track, saving around 4 kilometres and 312 metres of elevation gain.

Standout features include the fern-filled gullies of Backstairs Track, the historical touches throughout the route, and the sweeping forests that stretch across the flanks of Little Joe. Whether you’re training for something bigger or simply keen for a few hours in the bush with a good mix of scenery and sweat, this loop offers a compact yet rewarding experience just minutes from Warburton’s cafés.