Hike at a glance

17,548

Quick overview: Discover the breathtaking Mount Dandenong on a 15.7km circuit hike through lush national park terrain. This grade 3 moderate trail promises an unforgettable adventure, featuring scenic viewpoints of Melbourne, the enchanting Olinda Falls, and the verdant Mount Dandenong Arboretum. Starting and ending in Olinda, this trail requires approximately 4.5 hours to complete, providing ample opportunities to spot local wildlife like lyrebirds along the way. Don't forget to stop at the summit for a cafe break and panoramic city views.

Length

15.7km

Duration

4.5 hrs

Difficulty

Grade 3 (Moderate)

Trail type

Circuit

Route details

Max elevation: 627m
Min elevation: 398m
Total Ascent: 782m

Start: Olinda

End: Olinda

Location: Dandenong Ranges

State: Victoria

Nearest town: Olinda

State capital distance: 49km

Latitude: -37.85558425

Longitude: 145.36619603633883

Check current conditions
Track conditions, access and closures can change quickly due to weather, fire, maintenance or safety concerns. Always check the relevant land manager’s website before you visit. Trail Hiking Australia does not provide real-time track and closure monitoring, and land managers remain the authoritative source for current alerts, closures and access restrictions.

About this trail

Difficulty

Planning

Safety

Getting there

The region

Photos

Weather

About this trail

Mechanics Track is closed from Apr 2022 to May 2022 for repairs (both sides of Olinda Falls). Check conditions before heading out. The area is littered with trees and the ground is soft in many places due to trees being uprooted. It is not possible to see the track in most sections and there's a high chance of anyone attempting this getting lost or having to walk back.

The circuit walk of the summit of Mount Dandenong links two large sections of the national park, visits Olinda Falls, Mount Dandenong, Arboretum and two of the best view points overlooking Melbourne.

From the Olinda Recreation Reserve walk along the Olinda-Monbulk road towards Monbulk, past the old Golf Course and then turn left down Chalet Road, just by the Olinda Pool. A short way down Chalet Road, turn left onto the Golf Course Track / Rock Track. Follow Golf Course Track/Rock Track, at the junction with Cornius Track, keep left. At the 4 way junction with Mathias Track, go straight ahead onto Blackhole Track. Join KC Track where it junctions with Blackhole Track.

Follow KC Track, turn left on Rifle Range Gully Track, look and listen for Lyrebirds'

Turn left after a couple of km's onto Bartlett Track. Bartlett Track joins onto Falls Road, walk down Falls Road for about 200 metres to join Mechanics Track on the right, which leads to Olinda Falls. Signposting is clear to Olinda Falls. Return the same way and join the top section of Mechanics Track from the other side of Falls Road. OR walk up to the Olinda Falls Picnic Area (toilets available) turn left on Falls Road then right onto Mechanics Track. Mechanics Track crosses over Farndon's Road and then continues up to finish at the Mount Dandenong Tourist Road (beside the Mount Dandenong Pre-School). Cross carefully over the Tourist Road, there is a small track visible, walk up through the Mount Dandenong Arboretum.

Stay to the trail on the right through the Arboretum, coming to Ridge Road where you cross over to Kyeema Track. Follow Kyeema Track, about 100m on the left is Trig Track, going up to the Mount Dandenong Summit. Cafe, views, toilets. Return the same way and continue walking along Kyeema Track towards Burkes Lookout, about 1.5 km's away. At the junction with Tower Track, turn right and head down the hill.

Turn right onto ZigZag Track, then left onto Channel 10 Track. Follow Channel 10 Track until meeting Dandenong Creek Track, turn right, staying on Dandenong Creek Track until coming to the Olinda-Basin Road. Turn left onto the Olinda-Basin Road and walk about 200 metres until Caterpillar Track on the right. Follow up Caterpillar Track which joins Dodds Track and then continues onto Dodds Road OR keep walking up Olinda-Basin Road for 1.2km's to Mount Dandenong Village and return to Olinda via the roads). Dodds Road joins Range Road, turn left and walk the short distance back to Olinda.

Trail difficulty

Grade 3 (moderate) badge

Grade 3 (Moderate)

Uneven terrain and steady climbs
These walks require a reasonable level of fitness and confidence on rough ground. Expect hills, rough surfaces, and sections with steps or short, steeper climbs.

While not technically difficult, these tracks are no longer "easy" and can feel demanding over distance, especially in heat or with a pack. Some bushwalking experience is recommended, particularly for managing footing and pacing. Distances can extend up to 20km.

Worth knowing: Many hikers underestimate Grade 3 when conditions change or fatigue sets in.

Planning information

Preparation matters: Plan your day hike well and bring the right gear, weather-appropriate layers, food and plenty of water. Before you head out, read up on bushwalking safety and use this day hike planning guide to make sure you're ready. Need help getting started? Check out the full hike preparation guide.

Map and GPX file

Dandenong Ranges Circuit Hike (15.7km)

Total distance: 15653 m
Max elevation: 627 m
Min elevation: 398 m
Total climbing: 782 m
Total descent: -782 m

GPX files, maps and content are copyright Trail Hiking Australia. Not to be copied, redistributed or uploaded to other platforms including AllTrails.

Safety and preparation

Think safety first

Australian conditions can turn a small oversight into a serious situation faster than most walkers expect. The Hiking Safety Systems and planning calculators are designed to help you identify and close those gaps before you leave home. Work through the Interactive Safety Scenarios to see how incidents unfold, then use the tools to build your plan and make sure a trusted contact has your trip details before you head out.

Let someone know

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, and it only takes two minutes.

Let someone know your plans →

Heading somewhere remote, off-track or overnight? Use the comprehensive trip intentions form instead — your emergency contact will need more detail. Register your trip plan here →

Free 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 and where to stay

Dandenong Ranges

Parking at Olinda Recreation Reserve, Olinda-Monbulk Road or the Old Golf Course next to the reserve.

Need a rental car to get you to the hike? Find one here →

Get there with Google Maps

Bitumen Road

Accommodation nearby

Find hotels, cabins, and campgrounds near the trailhead. Click the button below to open an interactive map automatically centred on this hike's location — no searching required.

Accommodation →

Or search accommodation in nearby towns: Belgrave, Emerald, Kallista, Kalorama, Monbulk, Montrose, Olinda, Sassafras, Tecoma, Upwey

Explore the region

About the region

Less than an hour from Melbourne, the Dandenong Ranges is a whole life experience away, offering breathtaking scenery, romantic hideaways and indulgent adventures. The Dandenong Ranges is a haven of hidden delights with scenic winding roads to quaint hilltop villages. There is an abundance of artist studios, craft stores and renowned gardens to explore as well as walking and cycling trails through mountain ash forests and clean, refreshing air.

Explore nearby hikes

Photo gallery

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Your photos can help others plan. Share shots from along the trail so fellow hikers know what to expect.

Weather on the trail

Dandenong Ranges

The map below shows the rain forecast for the trail area. Tap the toggle in the top right corner to explore other layers including wind, temperature, UV index, thunderstorms, fire danger, and weather warnings — all useful for planning a safe hike.

Trail Reviews

7 Reviews on “Dandenong Ranges Circuit Hike (15.7km)”

Overall rating

Eitan Froumine

Walk this route in January 2023. The Mechanics Track and is still closed.

09/01/2023, 15:22

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Joe Paolacci

Jim White

24/03/2022, 05:19

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1. Darren Edwards Trail Author
  
  Thanks for your comment Rory, If you have a current GPX file that I can compare and replace, that would be appreciated. I have had hundreds of people complete this circuit and no one commented that it was wrong so I am intrigued as to why you felt it was.
  
  24/03/2022, 05:19
  
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2. rob collis
  
  The Mechanics Walk section of this circuit is no longer accessible due to storm damage from earlier this year. Falls Road is now the most direct way to Olinda Falls.
  
  24/03/2022, 05:19
  
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3. Rhiannon Riches
  
  Vaughan Bowman
  
  24/03/2022, 05:19
  
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4. Jeremy Eaton
  
  Walked on 15 Apr in anticlockwise direction. Good walk and surprised me on the last hill. Caution required on Mechanics Track if wet (slippery).
  Great walk but we needed to allow extra time (about 5 hours)
  
  24/03/2022, 05:19
  
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5. Suresh Pathy
  
  Walked on 27.8.16 in an anticlockwise direction, seems to be the best for the slopes in wet conditions
  Excellent walk all around
  
  24/03/2022, 05:19
  
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6. Rianna Turner
  
  Walked this on 29/12/18 anticlockwise, great hike, took 4.5 hours. Both the “link trails” between Dandenong Creek Track and Range Rd were closed so I walked down the road a bit and went down Todd Rd.
  
  24/03/2022, 05:19
  
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  1. Cathy Skipworth
    
    Walked this route yesterday 26/08/19, the path from Basin-Olinda Road to Range Rd was nowhere to be found requiring a detour along the road. Took me longer than most clocking up 5.5 hours and 16.36 km without the Skyhigh section. The section between Olinda Falls and the Arboretum was very muddy and slippery which is what cost me most of the extra time and oh boy I did not need that last climb at the end! However beautiful views and well worth the effort.
    
    24/03/2022, 05:19
    
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Mandy Thomas

Did this walk today and it was great, might get a little slippery on some on the smaller tracks in the coming weeks. We went anti clockwise, 4 hours but cut out the the sky high loop. Get ready for a couple of steep hills at the end

24/03/2022, 05:19

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Amanda Cole

Chloe Farrow

24/03/2022, 05:19

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Rory Pope

Gpx file was horrible and super inaccurate

24/03/2022, 05:19

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Acknowledgement of Country

Dandenong ranges circuit hike (15. 7km) trail hiking australia

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.

Curated by: Darren Edwards | Trail Hiking Australia

Last modified:

February 25, 2025

Hike at a glance

Route details

About this trail

Hike summary

Trail difficulty

Grade 3 (Moderate)

Planning information

Map and GPX file

Safety and preparation

Think safety first

Let someone know

Free checklists

Getting there and where to stay

Access conditions

Accommodation nearby

Explore the region

About the region

Explore nearby hikes

Olinda Falls & Valley Hike (14km)

Valley & Eagle Nest Loop Hike (7.9km)

Olinda Falls & Mechanic Track (4.4km)

Eastern Sherbrooke Forest Walk (6.6km)

Photo gallery

Weather on the trail

Trail Reviews

7 Reviews on “Dandenong Ranges Circuit Hike (15.7km)”

Leave a Review. Cancel reply

Notice something different about this trail?

Acknowledgement of Country

Curated by: Darren Edwards | Trail Hiking Australia

Last modified:

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