Hike at a Glance
Max elevation: 305m
Min elevation: 115m
Total Ascent: 343m
Hike overview
Arthurs Seat Summit Hike is a beautiful grade 3 loop trail in Arthurs Seat State Park, Victoria. This moderately challenging hike is approximately 5 kilometers long and should take around 2.5 hours to complete, offering stunning panoramic views throughout.
The hike can be completed in either direction, starting at the Latrobe Parade Carpark or Arthurs Seat Summit. You can walk both ways or take the chairlift for one leg of the journey. If choosing the chairlift, a short walk connects the base station to the Latrobe Parade Carpark.
Those starting at Latrobe Parade Carpark will join the Two Bays Walking Track and follow it for approximately 2km to Arthurs Seat Summit. Take a moment to soak in the views from Chapmans Point, the highest viewpoint on the Mornington Peninsula. The summit lookout boasts magnificent views of Port Phillip Bay, the city skyline, You Yangs, and even Mount Macedon on a clear day.
From the summit, continue along the track to the south, passing Northern Lookout, Bay Lookout, and Minister's Lookout before commencing your descent via Charlotte's Pass, which winds its way back down to Latrobe Parade Carpark. Food and coffee are available for purchase at the summit station. Additionally, picnic tables and electric barbecues are located at Arthurs Seat Summit for a post-hike meal. A Changing Places toilet is available at Arthur's Seat Lower Station.
Track grade
Grade 3 (Moderate) - Walks for Most Fitness Levels: Grade 3 on the AWTGS represents moderate walking tracks. These are ideal for walkers with some fitness who are comfortable with some hills and uneven terrain. While suitable for most ages, some bushwalking experience is recommended to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Tracks may have short, steep hill sections, a rough surface, and many steps. The total distance of a Grade 3 walk can be up to 20 kilometers.
Walk map and GPX file
Max elevation: 305 m
Min elevation: 115 m
Total climbing: 343 m
Total descent: -343 m
GPX files, maps and content are copyright Trail Hiking Australia. Not to be copied, redistributed or uploaded to other platforms including AllTrails.
Explore safely
Planning this hike? Most incidents develop before you even start. Safe outcomes depend on how navigation, hydration, environment, load and judgement work together. Small oversights can compound quickly in Australian conditions. See how it happens in the Hiking Safety Systems Foundations. Then use the Hiking Safety Systems, planning calculators, and make sure a trusted contact has your trip plan before heading out.
Leave a trip plan
Before you go, complete a trip intentions form and share it with a trusted contact. Agree on a Late-Back Time and ask them to call 000 (Police) if you have not checked in. A clear trip plan is one of the simplest and most effective safety steps you can take.
Planning checklists
Download the hiking preparation and safety checklists before leaving home to help you think through your plans. They help ensure important considerations are not overlooked and support safer decision-making on the trail.
Getting there
Getting to the trailhead: Arthurs Seat State Park.
You can reach the Latrobe Parade Carpark from Melbourne via a straightforward route. The distance is approximately 89 kilometers and should take about 1 hour and 30 minutes. The recommended route utilises both M1 and Mornington Peninsula Freeway (M11). Check Google Maps or click the button below for turn by turn navigation.
Need a rental car to get you to the hike? Find one here.
Accommodation nearby
Find accommodation close to the trailhead including hotels, cabins, and campgrounds. Use the interactive map to explore available options in nearby towns.
Nearby towns: Arthurs Seat, Balnarring, Dromana, Flinders, Main Ridge, Merricks, Merricks Beach, Red Hill, Rosebud, Shoreham
About the region
Arthurs Seat State Park, a prominent feature in the landscape of Port Philip Bay, is part of an Aboriginal cultural landscape in the traditional Country of the Bunurong People. The 314-meter summit provides spectacular views which, on a clear day, can stretch as far as the Melbourne city skyline, the You Yangs and Mount Macedon. For a bird's-eye view, climb aboard the all-weather Arthurs Seat Eagle, a state-of-the-art gondola that soars high above the trees.
There are plenty of activities to do in the park, from walking, jogging, and photography to mountain biking. The park's most popular attraction is Arthurs Seat summit, where visitors can take in the stunning views while relaxing or enjoying a barbecue. Take the pleasant circuit walk to Kings Falls or visit the delightful Seawinds Garden, featuring sculptures by William Ricketts.
The park also offers a variety of walking tracks, allowing visitors to explore and appreciate its diverse flora and fauna. Look out for some of the park's regionally significant species, including the Southern Brown Bandicoot, Koala, Lace Monitor, Southern Emu-wren, and Wedge-tailed Eagle.
Similar walks nearby
Looking for more walks in or near Arthurs Seat State Park? Try these trails with a similar difficulty grade.
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Acknowledgement of Country
Trail Hiking Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we hike and pay respects to their Elders, past and present, and we acknowledge the First Nations people of other communities who may be here today.






3 Reviews on “Arthurs Seat Summit Hike (5km)”
A rewarding hike for those seeking a challenge and spectacular views. Be sure to check the Arthurs Seat Eagle operating hours if considering the chairlift option.