The Feathertop and Highplains circuit is a 47km, grade 4 hike located in the Alpine National Park, Victoria. The hike should take around 3-4 days to complete.
Warning
This is a challenging hike, in an alpine environment, that should not be underestimated. During the winter months you should consider this a Grade 5 hike.
Hike overview
The Feathertop and Highplains circuit commences on the Great Alpine Road, Hotham Heights and traverses some of Victoria's most stunning alpine environment. The circuit can be completed in any direction but given the steepness of Diamantina Spur, it is recommended it be descended on day two rather than tackle it later in the journey. If you are undertaking this in an anti-clockwise direction, your first summit will be Mount Hotham at 1857m. You will then traverse along the Razorback, beyond Diamantina Spur to Mount Feathertop. The area around Federation Hut is a great place to camp for the night although it can become overcrowded at any time of year.
Returning the way you came, to Diamantina Spur, you will then descend this steep, rugged and narrow spur to the Kiewa Velley. A short distance along the West Keiwa Logging Road there is a small campsite at the Diamantine Horse Yards. You could choose to camp here for the night or continue on to either Blairs or Westons Hut.
The following day takes you up onto the Bogong Highplains. Following a section of the Australian Alpine Walking Trail, tre trail will take you through Cobungra Gap, across the Cobungra River to Dibbins Hut. You could camp here for the night or continue on to Derrick Hut or all the way back to the trail head and Hotham Heights.
Suggested itinerary
Day 1: Hotham Heights to Federation Hut (via Mount Feathertop). Approx 14km.
Day 2: Federation Hut to Westons Hut (via Blairs Hut). Approx 10km.
Day 3: Westons Hut to Dibbins Hut (via Youngs Hut): Approx 13km.
Day 4: Dibbins Hut to Hotham Heights (via Derrick Hut): Approx 10km.
Mount Feathertop
Feathertop is the second highest mountain in Victoria and one of the most picturesque peaks in the state. It rises to 1,922 metres (6,306 ft) and is usually covered in snow from June to September. It is linked to the nearby Mount Hotham ski resort by The Razorback, a high narrow ridge, but otherwise surrounded by steep slopes which continue right to the summit. Unlike most nearby mountains, Mount Feathertop has steep slopes right to the top and does not have the rounded summit dome that is typical of many nearby peaks. Mount Feathertop is probably the most appealing peak in the high country. It provides terrific hiking in summer and in winter it is a great venue for mountaineering and extreme skiing. But be careful, as it averages a death per decade. Most deaths are in winter and most come from not treating cornices with the respect they deserve.
Victorian High Country Huts
Huts of all shapes and sizes were built in the Victorian high country from the mid 1800s by cattle musterers, fishermen, miners, loggers, forest rangers and more recently ski and bushwalking groups. Most early ones were built using materials at hand, and with basic tools. Many have long gone, but huts are still scattered all over the alpine and high country area of Victoria.
The Feathertop and Highplains circuit hike explores the following huts. It is important to note that huts are for temporary, emergency shelter only not for accommodation. Enjoy visiting the huts, but do not use them for overnight accommodation as their cultural values can easily be destroyed. In Victoria some huts are not available for public use. Find out more about the Victorian High Country Huts Code of Conduct.
Federation Hut
A true alpine camping experience and the perfect base for ascending Mt Feathertop. The Federation Hut camping area has sites dispersed amongst the Snow Gums and can be accessed from Harrietville via the Bungalow Spur and The Razorback ridge from Mt Hotham. Link the Bon Accord Spur and Razorback and Bungalow Spurs for a multi-day alpine walking experience. The hut provides campers and day visitors with shelter and refuge in emergencies only. Always carry a tent to ensure your safety. A toilet is provided and there is a small water tank at the hut with untreated water. Fires are only permitted in the hut within the fireplace provided and otherwise it is a fuel stove only area.
Blairs Hut
Blairs Hut. Located approximately 14.4km from the trail-head, the hut is a log cabin measuring 6m by 3.8m with a gable iron roof, replacing an original bark one in 1968. The internal stone lined fireplace is unusual. The area around Blairs Hut is a good place to set up camp for the night.
Westons Hut
Westons hut was set in a small clearing surrounded by snow gums with introduced grasses as ground cover. Stockyards built of log and wire were near the hut. Trevor Larner prepared plans for Parks Victoria to repair the hut in 1998, to be carried out in April 1999 by Trevor and volunteers. In 1992 the four corner posts and the verandah rafters were replaced, along with other repairs. The hut was burnt down again in the fires of 2006-7. The new hut was built on the footings of the original hut, to the same dimensions.
The rebuilding project was coordinated by Parks Victoria in conjunction with Victorian High Country Huts Association, and with support from the Victorian Mobile Landcare Group. A team of volunteers from Wangaratta, Bright, and Melbourne, supervised by Andrew Cross (of Parks Victoria) and Wangaratta builder Lachie Gales, completed the reconstruction over a period of 18 months.
Youngs Hut
Young’s Hut is a rustic former SEC survey hut that our club maintains in conjunction with Parks Victoria.
Dibbins Hut
Dibbins Hut is located on a snow plain near the headwaters of the Cobungra River. A beautiful small creek at this point along the Australian Alps Walking Track and the Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing (FHAC) and a great sheltered stopover. The area is also popular with horse riders and permits are required from 1st December - 30th April. The original Dibbins Hut, built in 1920, was beyond repair, a new hut was built on the same site in 1987 using similar log construction and design. Similar log construction and design was used for the 'new' hut. Standing on a snow plain beside the Cobungra River it makes a pleasant destination for a day walk or an overnight hike. (There is a pit toilet there).
Derricks Hut
Charlie Derrick was a cross country skier who died in a blizzard while attempting to ski from Mt Bogong to Mount Hotham. Derrick Hut was built as a day shelter for cross country skiers and is not for overnight accommodation.
Water
Mount Feathertop: Water can be collected from a natural spring, approximately 850m from Memorial Cross, along the North West Spur track.
Kiewa River West Branch: Pure, clear, sparkling, very cold, alpine water, easily accessible from Red Robin Battery through to the foot of the Diamantina Spur.
Ensure you treat all water before drinking
Route and GPX file
Max elevation: 1881 m
Min elevation: 1080 m
Total climbing: 2102 m
Total descent: -2108 m
Trail features
- Gravel Path
- Rough Trail
- Well Marked Trail
- Undefined Trail
- Trail Running
- Alpine Region
- Alpine Huts
- Exposed Ledges
- Rock Scrambling
- Steep Terrain
- Off Trail
- River Crossings
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Untreated Water
- Overnight Campsites
Tips
- This is a challenging hike, in an alpine environment, that should not be underestimated. During the winter months you should consider this a Grade 5 hike.
- This hike requires that you have a sufficient level of equipment (in good working order), fitness and self-reliance.
- There is no water on Diamantina Spur, and the only good camp site is right at the top. A small party could camp at the bottom, beside the bridge over the Diamantina River.
Trail location
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Getting there
Mt Hotham is nestled amongst the Victorian Alps of the Great Dividing Range between Harrietville and Omeo. Mt Hotham is accessible via the Great Alpine Road all year round. It is a legal requirement of the Mount Hotham Alpine Resort Management Board that chains must be carried during the declared winter period, and only diamond pattern chains are permitted. Ladder chains, spider chains and snow socks cannot be used in the Mount Hotham Alpine Resort.
There is roadside parking available where this trail starts but if you intend to stay multiple nights there is longterm/overnight parking off Alpine Road. Download the Hotham access map here.
About the region
The Alpine National Park is a national park located in the Central Highlands and Alpine regions of Victoria, Australia. The 646,000-hectare national park is located northeast of Melbourne. It is the largest National Park in Victoria, and covers much of the higher areas of the Great Dividing Range in Victoria, including Victoria's highest point, Mount Bogong at 1,986 metres and the associated subalpine woodland and grassland of the Bogong High Plains. The park's north-eastern boundary is along the border with New South Wales, where it abuts the Kosciuszko National Park.
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Acknowledgement of Country
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1 Review on “Feathertop and Highplains Circuit (47km)”
One of my favourites in Victoria’s high country.
A wonderful hike with stunning views over the high country. There are so many great hikes in the Victorian alps, this is certainly one of them.