Hike at a glance
Length
Duration
Difficulty
Trail type
Trail details
Max elevation: 628m
Min elevation: 418m
Total Ascent: 462m
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 and conditions 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
Important information
Route in detail
Trail difficulty
Grade 4 (Hard)
For experienced bushwalkers
Grade 4 walks may be long, rough or very steep, and directional signage may be limited. Bushwalking experience is recommended, along with the ability to be self-reliant and manage navigation, weather and emergencies. Walks may exceed 20km.
Good to know: Not every Grade 4 characteristic will apply to every walk, so check the route description for the specific challenges of this hike.
Map and GPX file
Preparation and safety
Trail tips
Plan and prepare
Australian conditions can turn a small oversight into a serious situation faster than most walkers expect. For a day hike, that means the right gear, weather-appropriate layers, enough food and water, and allowing time to finish in daylight. The day hike planning guide walks you through it.
The Hiking Safety Systems and planning calculators help you understand and close the gaps before you leave home. The Interactive Safety Scenarios show how small gaps turn into real incidents. If you’re new to planning hikes, start with the hike preparation guide.
Download the free 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.
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.
Heading somewhere remote, off-track or overnight? Use the comprehensive trip intentions form instead, as your emergency contact will need more detail. Register your trip plan here →
Getting there and where to stay
Directions
Accommodation nearby
Search accommodation in nearby towns: Bacchus Marsh, Ballan, Blackwood, Daylesford, Gisborne, Macedon, Trentham, Woodend
Find somewhere to stay near the trailhead. Click the button below to open an interactive map automatically centred on this hike's location.
Travel arrangements
Whether you are travelling from across Australia or exploring closer to home, these options can help you organise your journey to the trail and make the most of your visit.
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Photo gallery
/East%20Walk,%20Nolan%20Track%20&%20the%20Tunnel%20Hike%20(15).jpg "East Walk, Nolan Track & the Tunnel Hike (12.8km)")
/East%20Walk,%20Nolan%20Track%20&%20the%20Tunnel%20Hike%20(2).jpg "East Walk, Nolan Track & the Tunnel Hike (12.8km)")
/East%20Walk,%20Nolan%20Track%20&%20the%20Tunnel%20Hike%20(7).jpg "East Walk, Nolan Track & the Tunnel Hike (12.8km)")
/East%20Walk,%20Nolan%20Track%20&%20the%20Tunnel%20Hike%20(10).jpg "East Walk, Nolan Track & the Tunnel Hike (12.8km)")
/East%20Walk,%20Nolan%20Track%20&%20the%20Tunnel%20Hike%20(1).jpg "East Walk, Nolan Track & the Tunnel Hike (12.8km)")
/East%20Walk,%20Nolan%20Track%20&%20the%20Tunnel%20Hike%20(8).jpg "East Walk, Nolan Track & the Tunnel Hike (12.8km)")
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Weather on the trail
The map shows the rain forecast for the trail area. Use the toggle in the top right corner to switch layers, including wind, temperature, UV index, thunderstorms, fire danger and weather warnings. Windy is a forecast model, not an official warning service. Check the Bureau of Meteorology for current warnings before you go.
Trail reviews
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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.
5 Reviews on “East Walk, Nolan Track & the Tunnel Hike (12.8km)”
The First section (East walk) was by far my favourite part of the walk, I recommend staying on the right-hand side of the river heading away from Obrien’s crossing (Cross the bridge at Obreins crossing visible sign.) some mild obstacles but nothing to be worried about in fair conditions. Part 2 from East Walk to Nolans track. Crossing the river (Roughly at Emergency marker LER522.) Recent rain will make this challenging as it did for me. (I had wet socks the rest of the day.) From there I would warn you this part is a bit overgrown; flood affected and may vary from my experience but aim for a small gully/creek (According to google maps Nolans Gully (Although wasn’t on my Gaia map.)) and exit the vicinity of the river. Climb the hill on the right of the creek/gully climbing over a handful of large fallen trees on to what I would call the tail end of Nolan’s track. Part 3 Nolans track Really easy to follow, minimal fallen trees that impede hikers spectacular views and flora. Part 4 Gribble track initially difficult to locate as Parks Victoria have installed a fence, bollards and several fallen trees to deter vehicles from entering. Other than that, no issues, be mindful this part has steep sections with slippery rocks and or slippery leaf litter. Part 5 The Tunnel. Amazing place clear path into it, mildly difficult to navigate to both sides without getting your feet wet. (Will depend on weather) It is possible to walk along the river in the area with the diverted water just a bit more difficult and flood affected (Debris dams). Part 6 As suggested by Julie Edwards in a previous comment I taken the Byers back track all the way back to O Brien’s crossing because it was already 430pm with sundown at 530pm. I am thinking of coming back and attempting to connect Margarets corner to Obrien’s crossing without the Byers back track. Overall 4/5 Interesting, cool and challenging solo. But not a 5/5.
Great recap. Thanks for the detailed info. Glad you enjoyed it.
The last quarter of this track along the river is now hard to find and when you do find it it is overgrown with a lot of climbing over and around fallen trees required. If walking off track isn’t something you enjoy then turn right at Margarets Corner onto Ambler Lane then left onto Byers Back track which will take you back to O’Brians Crossing
This is a very good hike!