Buller Huts Trail (96km)

The Buller Huts Trail is your opportunity to independently experience the best of the Victorian Alps. Offering breathtaking scenery and a true sense of remoteness, the Buller Huts Trail commences on Mount Buller, high in the Victorian Alps and traverses some of Victoria’s most spectacular mountain summits and historic high country huts.

Over seven days this 96km, grade 5, journey will allow you to independently experience a variety of natural landscapes including deep fern-lined gullies, steep and unrelenting spurs, rugged ridge lines, exhilarating mountain summits and spectacular cliff-top outlooks.

The Buller Huts Trail is a circuit trek that commences on Mount Buller, high in the Victorian Alps, and can be undertaken in either direction. It is recommended though that you follow the suggested itinerary as this will allow you to tackle the most challenging ascents early in the hike when you have more energy to expend.

Suggested itinerary

Day 1: Mount Buller to Eight Mile Flat (17.3km)

The Buller Huts Trail commences on Mount Buller, high in the Victorian Alps, at an altitude of just over 1660m and traverses some of Victoria's most spectacular mountain summits. These include Mount Buller, The Bluff, Mount Eadley Stoney, Mount Lovick, Mount Magdala, Mount Howitt, Mount Buggery, Mount Speculation, Mount Koonika, The Monument and Mount Stirling.

Commencing on Athletes Walk, near the junction of Mount Buller and Summit Roads. Follow the walks until you reach the junction of Summit Road. Turn left and walk along Summit Road to the carpark. The Summit Nature Trail starts here. Follow the trail initially north west as it twists and turns to the summit of Mount Buller (1805m). Some walkers may prefer to commence the hike at the summit car park. Your preferred start point in the Mount Buller Alpine Resort is completely up to you really, where you start, you will end.

From the summit, retrace your steps to the first junction. Turn left at this point to continue along the Summit Nature Trail. Turning south west at the junction follow the Family ski run to the start of Four Mile Spur. The trail now descends along this often narrow spur for approximately 6.5km to the Hoqwua River below.

Turning east, follow the Howqua River a further 6.5km as it winds its way through the valley to Eight Mile Flat. An excellent camp site on the banks of the Howqua River.

Day 2: Eight Mile Flat to Bluff Hut (12.5km)

From a pleasant grassy clearing beside the Howqua River, The trail now climbs steadily through dry open forest along Eight Mile Spur. The final stages of the ascent to the rugged natural ramparts of the Bluff are quite steep, but the rewards are soon evident. From the treeless 1,725 metre summit a spectacular alpine panorama unfolds, stretching to Mount Buller in the north and faraway Lake Eildon.

The trail continues through alpine meadows, carpeted with brilliant wildflowers in early summer, to Bluff Hut and a sheltered campsite among the nearby snow gums.

Day 3: Bluff Hut to Hells Window (13.5km)

Follow Bluff Track east from Bluff hut over the summit of Mount Lovick (1684m) for approximately 5.6km to the junction of Cairn Creek Track. Turn north at this point and descend to Lovicks Hut.

Approximately 1.2km north of the hut the junction of Helicopter Spur will be reached. This is one of the steepest spurs in this region and quite a rewarding hike in its own right. Turn east at this point and continue along Bluff Track, past Picture Point (with spectacular views) then on to the junction of the Australian Alpine Walking Trail. Follow the trail in a north easterly direction towards Mount Magdala traversing one of the best sections of the long-distance Australian Alps Walking Track.

Descend past Hells Window to the saddle between Magdala and Big Hill where you will find an open grassy campsite amongst the snow gums.

Day 4: Hells Window to Speculation Road (13.6km)

From the campsite continue along the trail, which heads north east, towards Mount Howitt. Take the time here to soak up the views across the Cross Cut Saw to the north before descending Mount Howitt to the junction of the Cross Cut Saw and Mount Howitt Walking Track. From this point head directly east to Macalister Springs and the Vallejo Gantner Hut.

Macalister Springs is a very reliable water source and worth a visit if you were unable to locate water the night before. Return via the same route to the junction of the Cross Cut Saw. The Crosscut Saw is a scramble along a narrow ridge and is not for those with a fear of heights. This traverse will lead you over the summit of Mount Buggery, through horrible Gap and to the broad summit of Mount Speculation. Continue over the summit, heading north east and descend to Speculation Road and a reliable water source and campsite at Camp Creek.

Day 5: Speculation Road to King Hut (12.3km)

Heading north north west continue along Speculation Road for approximately 7.2km and locate Muesli Spur to the west. The trail along the spur is reasonably well worn and should be easy to follow as it descends steeply towards the King River in the Valley below.

At the end of Muesli Spur you will again intersect Speculation Road. Turn left (almost straight ahead) at this point and follow Speculation Road then King Basin Road for approximately 1.4km until you reach King Hut and an open grassy campsite.

Day 6: King Hut to Craigs Hut (13.5km)

Follow King Basin Road north west for approximately 6.4km and locate McCormacks Trail on the south side of the road. Follow the trail along a broad spur for 3.2km to the junction of Circuit Road. Turning left, follow the rod a short distance (200m) to continue your ascent along McCormacks Trail.

After approximately 1.7km you will again reach Circuit Road.Turn right at this point and follow the road for 1km where you will locate the Craigs Hut Walk on your left. Follow this trail to the top of the knoll and Craigs Hut. Here you will find grassy flats for camping, fire pits and toilet facilities.

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Day 7: Craigs Hut to Mount Buller (13.3km)

From Craigs hut, locate the Clear Hills Track and follow it in a south westerly direction towards the summit of Mount Stirling (1749m). There are a number of huts in the area of Mount Stirling providing emergency refuge to visitors. Bluff Spur Hut, west of the summit, was erected as a memorial to a pair of skiers who died of exposure on the mountain. Geelong Grammar School Hut, north east of the summit, is owned by Geelong Grammar School and is used during cross country skiing by students from the Timbertop campus.

Follow the Howqua Gap trail south from Mount Stirling and descend 2.1km along the ridge to a trail junction at Howqua Gap. Turn west and follow Corn Hill Track along Wooly Butt Spur past Howqua Gap Hut to Corn Hill Road. After a short distance, turn right onto the Wombat trail and follow this west to the junction of Stirling and Corn Hill Roads.

Continue along Stirling Road until you locate the first Village Circuit trail on your left. Alternatively you could follow the Split Rock trail which runs parallel to Stirling Road. Once on the Village Circuit trail, follow this along its length until you reach The Avenue. Turn right then a quick left before the car park and follow the trail back to Athletes Walk and the end of the circuit.