The Grampians Peaks Trail is a challenging 164km, grade 5 long distance hike located in the Grampians National Park, Victoria. The full end to end experience will take around 13 days to complete.
Warning
This is a very difficult Grade 4-5 trail with steep terrain and is suitable only for experienced long-distance hikers.
Hike summary
The full Grampians Peaks Trail is a challenging 164km hiking experience. If you’re bold and committed to completing this 13-day/12-night hike, you will have an unforgettable adventure and be rewarded with some of the best hiking trails and panoramic views in Australia.
A brief summary of each day has been provided below. More information can be found on the Parks Victoria website.
Day 1: Mt Zero – Barigar Hike-in Campground
Start: at Mt Zero Picnic Area. Distance: 12.1km Grade: 4
Highlights: Ridgeline hiking, Taipan Wall, Mt Stapylton viewpoint and seasonal rockpools and waterfall.
Day 2: Barigar Hike-in Campground – Gar Hike-in Campground
Start: Barigar campground Distance: 11.3km Grade:4
Highlights: Seasonal waterfalls (after rain), a heath covered plateau, Mt Difficult (Gar) mountain summits.
Day 3: Gar Hike-in Campground – Werdug Hike-in Campground
Start: Gar hike in campground Distance: 14.0km Grade: 4
Highlights: Mt Difficult (Gar) summit, open rock slabs, elevated ridgeline views from the backslopes of the Mt Difficult Range.
Day 4: Werdug Hike-in Campground – Halls Gap (own arrangements)
Start: Werdug Hike-in Campground Distance: 13.0km Grade: 4
Highlights: Sweeping views, rocky gardens and a descent through tall wet forest and winter/spring wildflowers.
Day 5: Halls Gap to Bugiga Hike-in Campground
Start: Halls Gap Trailhead (caravan park) Distance: 8.9km Grade: 4
Highlights: Stony Creek, Grand Canyon, The Pinnacle.See fascinating sandstone gorges and gnarly, weathered rock formations in the Wonderland Range. Near Venus Baths are views of Elephants Hide and, in the background, Chautauqua Peak.
Day 6: Bugiga Hike-in Campground – Barri-Yalug Hike-in Campground
Start: Bugiga Hike-in Campground Distance: 14.7km Grade: 4
Highlights: Wet tall forest with a rocky steep climb through boulders to the Mt Rosea (Bugiga-mirgani) ridgeline. Cross the bridge at the Gate of the East Wind.
Day 7: Barri-Yalug Hike-in Campground – Duwul Hike-in Campground
Start: Barri yalug Hike-in Campground. Distance: 13.2km Grade: 4
Highlights: The biggest elevation change of all the GPT: Barney Creek (320m) to Redman Bluff (1017m).
Day 8: Duwul Hike-in Campground – Durd Durd Hike-in Campground
Start: Duwul Hike-in Campground Distance: 14.5km Grade: 4
Highlights: Mt William (Duwul) summit; 400m. The park’s highest mountain with views of the Serra Range and Victoria Ranges.
Day 9: Durd Durd Hike-in Campground – Yarram Hike-in Campground
Start: Durd Durd Hike-in Campground Distance: 11.9km Grade: 4/5
Highlights: Wildflowers, landscape views to the east and west.
Day 10: Yarram Hike-in Campground – Wannon Hike-in Campground
Start: Yarram Hike-in Campground Distance: 11.1km Grade: 4/5
Highlights: Serra Range views, rocky knolls, Mt Nelson (819m) to the west in the Serra Range and wildlife, including night calls of owls, possums and gliders.
Day 11: Wannon Hike-in Campground – Djardji-djawara Hike-in Campground
Start: Wannon Hike-in Campground Distance: 16.3km, 5 to 6 hours Grade: 4
Highlights: Some of Gariwerd’s most important heathy habitat for threatened native mammals in the valley-heathland between Mt William and Serra Ranges.
Day 12: Djardji-djawara Hike-in Campground – Mud-Dadjug Hike-in Campground
Start: Djardji-djawara Hike-in Campground Distance: 8.1km Grade: 4
Highlights: New sections of trail passing through stunted eucalypt forest, the rocky mountain summits of Signal Peak and Mt Abrupt (Mud-Dadjug).
Day 13: Mud-Dadjug Hike-in Campground – Dunkeld Township
Start: Mud-dadjug Hike-in Campground Distance: 14.8km Grade: 4
Highlights: Bainggug (The Piccaninny) and Mt Sturgeon (Wurgarri) (582m). Bainggug is renowned for its winter and spring native wildflowers including spider, tiger, wax-lip and greenhood orchids.
Water
For your safety, having enough water along the Grampians Peaks Trail for hydration and cooking is so important. Parks Victoria's water information and availability page includes the locations (with latitude and longitude references) of serviced water tanks. All water tanks along the trail are untreated. So you need a safe way to treat water for drinking.
Camping fees
The Grampians Peaks Trail is free for anyone to walk on it, no charge. And there are some sections that can be done as day walks.
The 11 hike-in campgrounds have a charge, and need to be pre-booked. These hike-in campgrounds are in very remote locations, you're not near a busy road or carpark, so you feel the reward of being deep inside the national park. They have been built with a good level of amenity that is well designed, sympathetic to the landscape and sustainable. As such, they are priced higher for the value they provide. The price for a standard tent pad for the full trail (13-days/12-nights) is $524.70 ($262.35 p/person for two people sharing) plus one night off-trail accommodation in Halls Gap. That's roughly $47 per night ($24 p/person if sharing) in fees for the 11 unique, well-equipped hike-in campgrounds.
Whilst the hike-in campgrounds along the Grampians Peaks Trail offer a unique, remote and convenient hiking experience along the trail there are many other campgrounds that hikers can use. Parks Victoria recommend this only for experienced hikers and ensure you have the latest Grampians Peaks Trail topographic map in order to plan your hiking adventure.
Route and GPX file
Max elevation: 1171 m
Min elevation: 220 m
Total climbing: 8688 m
Total descent: -8680 m
Gear you might need
As well as including the Ten Essentials, my planning, food and packing checklists provide an summary of things to consider on your day, overnight and multi-day hikes. Every person and every hike is different, so customise your kit according to your needs. Download your free checklists here >>
Location
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Getting there
The Grampians Peaks Trail runs from the northern point of the Grampians National Park (near Dadswells Bridge) to the southern point of the park (at Dunkeld). It is located in Western Victoria, a three-hour (260km) drive from Melbourne and a five-hour (460km) drive from Adelaide. The central Grampians is easily accessed from the villages of Halls Gap and Wartook and is a scenic day trip from the regional towns of Hamilton, Horsham, Stawell and Ararat. It is also a key destination on the internationally renowned Great Southern Touring Route.
About the region
Grampians National Park is part of the Gariwerd Aboriginal cultural landscape. Explore the natural beauty of the Grampians from its world-famous hiking trails. Discover majestic waterfalls, dazzling spring wildflower displays and awe-inspiring mountain panoramas. Cross paths with kangaroos, wallabies, emus and native birds. Heritage-listed for its Aboriginal heritage, animal and plant life, and stunning natural beauty, the Grampians National Park is one of Australia's most recognisable places. The best way to appreciate it is on one of its many world-class walks or hikes or by taking a scenic drive.
Traditionally known as Gariwerd, this region is home to the largest number of significant and ancient Aboriginal rock art paintings and shelters in southern Australia. A visit to Brambuk – The National Park & Cultural Centre will help you get the most of your trip to these rock shelters.
The Grampians draws walkers from around the world. Hike to the highest peak within the Grampians, Mount William, or explore the plethora of walks around Halls Gap and the Wonderland Range. Views from the Pinnacle are famous, but the steep walk should only be attempted by the fit. If you’re an experienced walker you’ll enjoy the unique challenge of the park’s overnight hikes. Choose from the iconic Grampians Peaks Trail, Major Mitchell Plateau or The Fortress and Mt Thackeray Overnight Hike.
There are more relaxing pursuits to enjoy in the Grampians, too. Go fishing, canoeing or kayaking at Lake Wartook, Lake Bellfield and Moora Moora Reservoir or one of the park’s many other streams and creeks.
Source: Parks Victoria
Gallery
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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.