The Cathedral Range is a special place that has a lot to offer hikers, but it should not be underestimated. The terrain is dominated by rocky ridges and outcrops, requiring navigation of steep climbs, uneven surfaces, and potentially slippery sections. Weather conditions can shift rapidly, so trekkers must be prepared for all possibilities.
The Cathedral Range is a spectacular seven kilometre ridge of sharply upturned sedimentary rock, offering a variety of walking tracks that cater to hikers of all skill levels. Get ready for an unforgettable journey to the park's crown jewels, the peaks that offer breathtaking panoramas of forests and farmland sprawled across the valley below.
The Cathedral Range Northern Circuit unveils the northern expanse of the range, taking you past South Jawbone Peak, North Jawbone Peak (an optional side trip), The Farmyard, Little Cathedral Peak, Neds Peak, and Neds Gully.
Your adventure begins at Cooks Mill, where you'll head west along the well-maintained Cerberus Road. Shortly, you'll encounter Saint Bernards Track to your right. Follow this trail to its end, reaching the Jawbone Car Park. From the car park, ascend the Jawbone Creek Track, navigating a long flight of rock steps that lead to The Farmyard. If you're seeking exceptional views across the Cathedral Range and the valley below, consider a quick detour up the South Jawbone Track to South Jawbone Peak.
Retrace your steps and continue northbound along the Farmyard Track. After approximately 700 meters, you'll come across the North Jawbone Track on your right, offering an alternative side trip to North Jawbone Peak. Proceed northwards, tracing the ridge line that guides you all the way to The Cathedral Summit and beyond to Cathedral North and Little Cathedral Peak, marking the end of the range.
From the pinnacle of Little Cathedral Peak, retrace your steps until you encounter a signpost indicating the Little Cathedral Track. Descend along this track into Neds Gully, venturing towards the Neds Gully camping area. Just before reaching the camping area, you'll find the Little River Track branching off to your right. From this point, it's a leisurely one-hour stroll through the forest, leading you back to Cooks Mill and the starting point of your exhilarating hike.
Camping in the Cathedral Range State Park
Cathedral Range State Park offers several camping options to suit different preferences.
Cooks Mill campground provides a scenic riverside location with shade and a variety of sites suitable for tents, campervans, and a limited number of caravans. Amenities include pit toilets, fireplaces, picnic tables, and shelters.
For a more secluded experience, Neds Gully campground is accessible by a short walk across a swing bridge. This campground is limited to tents only and offers basic amenities like pit toilets and fireplaces.
The Farmyard, designed for experienced hikers, provides a remote overnight camping option directly on the range. This location is accessible only on foot and has no facilities. Campers must bring their own drinking water, gas stove for cooking, and firewood (purchased from nearby towns as collecting firewood within the park is prohibited).
Regardless of your chosen campsite, remember to book online in advance for Neds Gully and Cooks Mill (bookings can be made through parks.vic.gov.au or by calling 13 1963). Specific campsites cannot be reserved, so selection happens upon arrival. Additionally, bring your own cooking plates and drinking water for all locations. Campfires are only permitted in designated fireplaces using purchased firewood, not collected from the park.
- The Cathedral Range should not be underestimated.
- The terrain is dominated by rocky ridges and outcrops, requiring navigation of steep climbs, uneven surfaces, and potentially slippery sections.
- Weather conditions can shift rapidly, so walkers must be prepared for all possibilities.
- Be aware that many trails are steep and rocky, and can become slippery after rain or in misty weather.
- Only attempt to summit Sugarloaf Peak if you are comfortable with heights and exposed sections requiring scrambling.
- Follow the orange trail markers provided in designated areas.
- Plan for slower progress due to the rugged terrain. Expect to cover 1.5-2km per hour in some sections.
- Hiking poles are highly recommended for certain sections of the trails.
- Let someone know where you are hiking and when you expect to return.
- Alpine Region
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Exposed Ledges
- Rock Scrambling
- Steep Terrain
- Overnight Campsites
- 2WD Access
- Gravel Road
- Large Car Park
- Public Toilets
- Picnic Table
- Campfire Pit
- Camping Area
Closest towns to this walk: Acheron, Buxton, Eildon, Marysville, Narbethong, Taggerty, Thornton, Yarra Glen
Getting to the trailhead in Cathedral Range State Park.
Cathedral Range State Park is 2 hrs 15 min from the Melbourne CBD. From Melbourne follow the Maroondah Highway to Buxton. Continue past Buxton for 9.5km and turn right into Cathedral Lane to find the park entrance 2.5km on your right. Continue past Neds Gully and Cooks Mill Camping Area is located at the start of Lowerson Track off Little River Road just before it crosses the river.
Cathedral Range State Park boasts a dramatic landscape with jagged ridges offering stunning views and hiking trails. Hikers of all levels can explore the park's amazing and rugged beauty. The Friends Nature Trail provides a gentle introduction for families, while experienced walkers can traverse the challenging Razorback or longer circuit routes. All trails reward hikers with breathtaking views of the surrounding forests and valleys.
Camping allows visitors to experience the park under the starry night sky, sharing the environment with native wildlife like kangaroos and lyrebirds. Cooks Mill campground offers historical charm, while The Farmyard provides a secluded escape accessible only by foot.
Beyond hiking, the park caters to rock climbing enthusiasts. The Boulders offer a perfect training ground for beginners, whereas Sugarloaf Saddle and North Jawbone present a steeper challenge. Sugarloaf Saddle also boasts a stand of Mountain Ash, one of the world's tallest flowering trees, with some specimens reaching an astonishing 90 meters.
The Cathedral Range's rugged beauty demands respect. Hikers should be aware of the prevalent rocky terrain with steep climbs, uneven surfaces, and potential for slippery conditions. Weather changes rapidly, so be prepared for all possibilities.
The park holds significance for the Taungurung Traditional Owners, and their ongoing connection to this land is acknowledged and respected.
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Grade 4 (Hard) -
Challenging Walks for Experienced Walkers: Grade 4 on the
AWTGS signifies challenging walking tracks. Bushwalking experience is recommended for these tracks, which may be long, rough, and very steep. Directional signage may be limited, requiring a good sense of navigation. These walks are suited for experienced walkers who are comfortable with steeper inclines, rougher terrain, and potentially longer distances.
Plan ahead and hike safely! Carry enough water, pack layers for changing conditions, and bring safety gear like a torch, PLB, and reliable communication device. Check official sources for trail updates, closures, and access requirements, and review local weather and bushfire advice. Most importantly, share your plans with someone before you go. Being prepared makes for a safer and more enjoyable hike! Stay Safe, Explore More, and Always #ExploreSafe.
What you carry in your pack depends on factors like weather, terrain, and your adventure type. Not sure what to bring? My free planning, food, and packing checklists are a great starting point, covering day hikes, overnight trips, and multi-day adventures. Use them to customise your kit and always prioritise safety.
Before heading out, take a moment to fill out your trip intentions form. It’s a quick way to share your hike details with family or friends. If something goes wrong, they can notify emergency services, ensuring a faster response and peace of mind. Stay safe and enjoy your adventure
Spotted a change on this trail? Maybe there are new features, the route has shifted, or the trail is permanently closed. Whatever the update, I’d love your input. Your feedback helps fellow hikers stay informed and ensures that our trail info stays fresh and reliable.
4 Reviews on “Cathedral Range: Northern Circuit Hike (15km)”
Did this today. I still prefer the southern circuit. Northern circuit was overgrown with very prickly bushes and I got scraped up pretty bad on them. The GPX file was very helpful (thank you!). As someone else mentioned, it’s all marked as grade 5 now. Although I think the southern circuit is a bit harder with more scrambling.
This hike is very long. It took me 6 hours with all the side trips and I was running some of the flat sections.
Thanks heaps for the update Chris. I prefer the Southern Circuit too. Much more scenic, without all the scrub to make your way through. Can I ask if you are meaning this walk is now also signed as Grade 5? If so, I will update the hike info here. It is a long one, hope you enjoyed it though.
We did this hike earlier this week – great time of year for it, with so many flowers in bloom which gave colour to the already amazing views. The lyrebirds were in full song in the area above Jawbone carpark, and easy to see/watch. Sadly a lot of garbage in the woods from recent campers at the Farmyard. ?
Excellent trail description, thanks so much for putting this together, your site really helps to find and choose between hikes. I also downloadwd the GPX file into the Trails app, which worked very well for us. Interestingly the Trails app logged our distance as 20.8km in total.
Just finished off this track with a few side trips- Northern Circuit with side hikes to Sourthern- Northern Jawbone Peaks, the Cathedral Peak, Northern Cathedral peak, Little Cathedral Peak and Neds Gully. According to fitbit 18.5km. More than 25000 steps and almost 200 floors climbed. Thank you for the above track suggestion. Followed it almost to the dot and we completed the track in just over 8 hours with our 9 year old son. Sore but proud son?
Just finished this with my 7 year old including a night at The Farmyard. Really helpful GPX, absolutely spot on for us. If anyone with little kids is interested, we started at Cooks Mill as this meant a short sharp uphill followed by time to enjoy The Farmyard and side trips, and then we were already at higher elevation for day 2s longer, more technical walk along the ridge. We were delighted to observe Lyrebird couples in the bushland between the Farmyard and start of the ridge. Sadly, we also observed a lot of weeds and dandelions too. No rubbish though!
Please note that from Cathedral peak, all the way to Sugarloaf, and both Wells Cave and Canyon track are now all Grade 5 on the signs.
I don’t this those sections relate to this walk. That’s the Southern Circuit you are referring to.