Donnellys Weir Mt St Leonard is a 25.3km, grade 4 hike located in the Yarra Ranges National Park, Victoria. The hike should take around 8 hrs to complete.
Hike summary
The Donnellys Weir Mount St Leonard hike starts just outside the gate to Donnellys Weir and follows a track along the side of an aqueduct to Echo Tunnel which carries water from Maroondah Reservoir. The road then bears left and follows Sawpit Creek to the junction of Condons Track.
The initial part of Condons Track is wide before becoming less distinct and very steep. Condons Track ends at the Monda Rd which is a fire trail that follows the ridge and is relatively level. There are some views from the Monda Rd but after a short steep climb to Mount St Leonard there are good views from the fire tower on top. This is the highest part of the walk at just over 1,000 metres.
From here the track has a 2km steep descent before it becomes less steep and follows a wide fire trail through attractive bushland down to Donnelly's Weir. The walk travels through the Donnelly's Weir picnic area, across the creek and along the road to the cars.
Be Prepared
This hike requires that you have a sufficient level of equipment (in good working order), fitness and self-reliance.
Getting There
Donnelly's Weir is reached from Healesville via St Leonard Road which forks off the Maroondah Highway northwards near the east end of the shops. After 1.3km turn right on to Donnelly's Weir Road and travel 700m, avoid a road off to the right and cross the small Watts River. Some 400m further on diverge left for another 700m to a ford and gate which marks the entry to the weir area.
Route and GPX file
Max elevation: 1025 m
Min elevation: 121 m
Total climbing: 1298 m
Total descent: -1297 m
Gear you might need
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Location
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About the region
Situated between Melbourne and the Victorian Alps, the Yarra Ranges National Park is a place of epic views, majestic rainforest scenery and fun-packed snowplay. Enjoy the panorama from Mount Donna Buang, or go deeper into the park on the Black Spur Drive, and wind through towering Mountain Ash forests to Lake Mountain.
The Yarra Ranges spans an extensive, mountainous area of cool temperate forest around the three towns of Marysville, Healesville and Warburton. This national park is home to the world's tallest flowering tree, the Mountain Ash, which towers over lush tree ferns and mossy Myrtle Beech. Dark gullies are home to clear streams which feed the Yarra River and major reservoirs from which Melbourne draws its drinking water.
The Yarra Ranges boasts some stunning lookouts, one of the best being Mount Donna Buang. From here you can see awesome views of Westernport Bay and Port Phillip - or walk the Rainforest Gallery and see the Mountain Ash from a different perspective. In the winter, Mount Donna Buang is Melbourne's closest winter playground. Many Melburnians have enjoyed their first sight of snow here through the years.
Healesville is the start of the Black Spur Drive, a short but beautiful scenic car journey. The road winds through majestic Mountain Ash forest to Narbethong, passing a number of pleasant walking trails and picnic areas, such as Donnelly’s Weir, Dom Dom Saddle and Maroondah Reservoir Park.
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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.
1 Review on “Donnellys Weir Mt St Leonard (25.3km)”
#3roundraafies
28 May 2022 – Access conditions have changed. Rd 12 off Monda Road (CH46+VMG Toolangi, Victoria) has a notice posted about damages and the gate is closed for repairs until Jun 2022. If you ignore the notice, the trail disappears from (CH35+599 Healesville, Victoria) onwards and you have to rely on tree markers. At (CH24+9R2 Healesville, Victoria) is the last marked tree beyond which the weather damage is significant and signposts cannot be located anymore. It’s very risky to proceed, especially in wet conditions. There is no signal on Optus / Vodafone in the damaged area. Monda Car Park is the nearest location accessible by car, should you need to be rescued by someone.