Hike at a Glance
Max elevation: 452m
Min elevation: 222m
Total Ascent: 231m
Hike overview
The Chick Hill Walk in Warby-Ovens National Park, Victoria, offers a short but demanding hike for experienced walkers. This 2km, grade 4 trail starts at the corner of Wirrinya Avenue and Taffe Road in Hamilton Park. The path is steep and signage is limited, so a moderate level of fitness is essential. Despite the climb's difficulty, the reward is spectacular. Hikers are treated to panoramic views of the distant Victorian Alps, including Mount Buffalo. The track also connects to the Ridge Track, which leads to Mount Glenrowan for those seeking a longer adventure.
This trail is for experienced walkers due to its steepness and lack of signage. Be sure to plan accordingly and bring appropriate footwear.
Track grade
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.
Walk map and GPX file
Max elevation: 452 m
Min elevation: 222 m
Total climbing: 231 m
Total descent: -231 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: Warby-Ovens National Park.
Reaching the Chick Hill Track trailhead is relatively simple. By car, start your journey from Wangaratta and head towards Glenrowan. Once in Glenrowan, locate Hamilton Park – known for its BBQ facilities. Look for Wirrinya Avenue within the park and follow it until you reach its intersection with Taaffe Road. This corner marks the official trailhead for the Chick Hill Walk, where your challenging yet rewarding climb begins.
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: Benalla, Cheshunt, Chiltern, Everton, Glenrowan, Greta, Milawa, Moyhu, Myrrhee, Oxley, Peechelba, Rutherglen, Tarrawingee, Wangaratta, Whitfield, Yarrawonga
About the region
The Warby-Ovens National Park, situated near Wangaratta in Victoria, holds a deep significance for the Yorta Yorta Peoples, the traditional owners of this land. This diverse park offers a haven for nature enthusiasts. Whether you seek breathtaking views, invigorating walks and bike rides, peaceful canoeing on the Ovens River, or simply a chance to unwind at a campsite amidst native wildlife, Warby-Ovens National Park caters to all.
The park encompasses three distinct ecosystems. The heritage-listed lower Ovens River boasts majestic River Red Gum forests, one of the most intact floodplain ecosystems in northern Victoria thanks to the unregulated nature of the river. The Killawarra Forest features a box-ironbark woodland, particularly important for threatened birdlife like the Swift Parrot, Hooded Robin, and Speckled Warbler. The Warby Range offers a scenic blend of grassy woodlands and granite outcrops, coming alive with wildflowers in spring and providing access to spectacular lookouts.
A mere 10 kilometres from Wangaratta, the park is perfect for a day trip. Enjoy walks, picnics, birdwatching, cycling, or a scenic drive. Take in the exceptional views, especially during winter when the distant peaks are dusted with snow, from Ryan's Lookout and Kwat Kwat Lookout.
Explore the walking tracks that weave through the Warby Range and Killawarra Forest, immersing yourself in the park's diverse birdlife and spring wildflowers. Alternatively, relax by the river with a picnic or fire.
For a longer stay, pitch your tent and spend a few days camping, hiking, or birdwatching. The Ovens River is a haven for canoeing, offering calm waters suitable for paddlers of all experience levels.
Keep an eye out for Black Wallabies or Eastern Grey Kangaroos as you navigate the tracks. Wildlife spotting is generally best at dawn and dusk. With a keen eye, you might even catch a glimpse of a vibrant Turquoise Parrot, a Koala, or a Lace Monitor.
Similar walks nearby
Looking for more walks in or near Warby-Ovens National 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.





