The Lerderderg State Park is rugged and remote with limited directional signage. You should be prepared for all conditions and have suitable navigation experience (not just a phone app) before venturing beyond the main picnic/parking areas or Grahams Dam. Many rescues have occurred in this park that could have been avoided.
This challenging Bears Head Circuit hike is one of my favorite Lerderderg hikes as it descends into one of the remotest and least visited sections of the Lerderderg Gorge.
The surroundings are spectacular and experienced hikers will enjoy a genuine sense of isolation and adventure.
A remote gorge walk along the Lerderderg River. It's a demanding walk into one of the more remote areas of the Lerderderg Gorge. Steep sections, river crossings with some rock scrambling required. Approximately 2.5km follows the river bed so some wading may be required depending on water levels.
Total distance: 15823 m
Max elevation: 629 m
Min elevation: 270 m
Total climbing: 638 m
Total descent: -638 m
Download file:
Bears Head Circuit.gpx
- Rough Trail
- Undefined Trail
- Goldfields & Mining
- Exposed Ledges
- Rock Scrambling
- Steep Terrain
- River Crossings
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Untreated Water
- Overnight Campsites
- Suggested items to pack: Day Pack with Picnic Lunch and at least 2-3 litres of water.
- The descent into the gorge via Ah Kow Spur is steep and slippery. Take great care in this section of the track. There are multiple river crossings and rock scrambling which make this hike suitable for experienced hikers only.
- Hiking poles recommended and I also highly recommend water shoes if you have them as it will make the crossings easier.
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- 2WD Access
- Gravel Road
- Winding Road
Follow the Western Freeway 9km past Bacchus Marsh and take the Myrniong exit. Continue
along the Myrniong-Greendale Road for 1km, then turn right on the Mount Blackwood Road. Follow this
narrow surfaced road north for 8km and turn right onto Lohs Lane. Drive a further 500m to the gate and
park on the right.
It’s a good idea to let someone know where you’re going. Fill in a trip intention form to send important details about your trip to your emergency contact. If you are lost or require help and have phone reception, call 000 and ask for police. The international standard emergency number is 112, if you dial this number in Australia you will be treated exactly the same as a 000 call. If you believe your life is at risk, activate your personal locator beacon (PLB), then make your position visible to rescue teams and keep warm and dry.
Rising in the Great Dividing Range, the Lerderderg River has cut a 300 metre deep gorge through sandstone and slate, almost bisecting the park. The park has a wide variety of vegetation and wildlife and some interesting relics of gold mining. Lerderderg State Park encompasses scenic and geological gorge formations surrounding the Lerderderg River as well as the volcanic cone of Mount Blackwood. The adjacent and separate block called the Pyrete Range forms part of the park. The Lerderderg is known for its remote setting and the 300m deep Lerderderg River gorge is a dominant feature. Private land abuts the park to the south and the Wombat State forest abuts to the north and west.
Lerderderg State Park (incorporating the former Pyrete State Forest) is a 14,250-hectare park located between Bacchus Marsh and Blackwood, an hour's drive from Melbourne, Australia. There are several maintained tracks for walking through the park and camping is allowed.
The park is named for the Lerderderg River which has cut the 300 metre deep Lerderderg Gorge through sandstone and slate, almost bisecting the park. Parks Victoria maintains six designated walks: three short walks of 3.5 km or less; Blackwood-O'Briens Crossing and return (22 km); O'Briens Crossing-Cowan Track loop (14 km); and the overnight walk O'Briens Crossing to Mackenzies Flat (20 km).
In addition, one leg of the Great Dividing Trail, the Lerderderg Track, passes through the park, entering from Blackwood in the park's northwest, and exiting south towards Bacchus Marsh. Bicycles are prohibited from one section of this track, due to a conservation area.
0 Reviews on “Bears Head Circuit (15.8km)”
Maty J Lewis add it to the list – good distance
Nicky Leitch
Nope, haven’t done this one. It keeps popping up in my feed from a variety of pages. Must be trying to tell me something.
Nope, Looks great though! Just added to my ‘to do’ list.
Lerderderg is really cool. Only an hour and a half from Melb. You keen?
Oh yeah Jo. Let’s do it!!
Oh yes, definately
One of my most favourite hikes! 🙂
Ooh nice!
Pretty sure that’s the hike we did at Lerderderg back when Cassie was a a Scout.
Relle Sooz ???
Richard Oxley weekend away?
Rob Weir Clive Watling a nice little training hike.
Sarah van den Berg
Scott Timson
Shaun Twentyman, you guys done this one?
Shayne Gillings next mission…
Shelly Anthea hills, river crossings – rock scrambling yasss ????
Simon Izzard
Sinead Ryan Ben Frilay-Cox James Dooley
Sounds good we’ll have a look at it thanks