Hike at a Glance

Quick overview: Explore the stunning Alpine National Park in Victoria, starting and finishing at the Upper Howqua Camping Area, on the challenging 27km Howitt and Helicopter Spur circuit. Just a few hours from Melbourne, near the town of Mansfield, this Grade 5 hike boasts steep climbs, alpine plains, and heart-stopping views of Victorian Alps. Remember to carry ample water, as sources can be scarce, and prepare for an adventurous two-day journey through one of Australia's most captivating landscapes.

Length:

27km

Duration:

2 days

Grade:

Style:

Circuit

Max elevation: 1734m

Min elevation: 840m

Total Ascent: 1711m

Start: Upper Howqua Camping Area

End: Upper Howqua Camping Area

Alpine National Park

Victoria

Nearby town: Mansfield

From state capital: 246km

Latitude: -37.173555572451676

Longitude: 146.56111518354916

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Essential information

This is a challenging grade 5 hike in a remove and rugged area. Trails may be ill-defined, the terrain will be steep and challenging with multiple rock scrambles required. This hike is for experiences, self-reliant hikers with excellent navigation skills.

Hike overview

This spectacular Howitt and Helicopter Spur alpine hike visits both Mount Magdala and Mount Howitt traversing one of the best sections of the long-distance Australian Alps Walking Track. Helicopter Spur, the route used to reach the tree line, is one of the steepest and most challenging climbs in the region. Except for Helicopter Spur this walk follows generally good walking trails and offers magnificent views across the heart of the Victorian Alps.

Day 1 (10km): Upper Howqua Campsite to Hellfire Creek Campsite

The ascent of Helicopter Spur starts at the Upper Howqua Campsite and winds through eucalyptus forests, eventually reaching the high alpine plains. Look for the old fire vehicle track starting on your right as you cross the bridge into the campground. The trail soon narrows into a single track, potentially overgrown with young eucalyptus trees and fallen logs, but still manageable.

After a few kilometers of ascent, you'll encounter a daunting section of rock faces that seem to block the path. Fear not, that's exactly where the track goes! The route up these rocks is steep but well-defined. Take your time and prioritise safety, as a fall could lead to serious injury. However, for those who enjoy a bit of a challenge, this section can be the exciting start of an unforgettable adventure.

After finally reaching the top of Helicopter Spur, turn east (left) at the 4WD track then follow the trail for approximately 2 kilometers. This section leads to a well-known long-distance route in the area, the Australian Alps Walking Track (AAWT). The route takes you past Picture Point, the scenic summit of Mount Magdala, past the every popular Hells Window and down to the shaded Hellfire Creek campground.

Water is plentiful at the start point of this hike but it is essential that you carry enough ( I recommend 3-4 litres) to last through to the overnight camp at Hellfire Creek. Finding water at Hellfire creek can be hit and miss as it is not a permanent spring. Last time I completed this hike, I had to dig around for water so its advisable to plan for this and maybe carry enough for both days. While it's recommended to carry enough water for the entire journey, there might be streams along the way for refilling.

Day 2 (17km): Hellfire Creek Campsite to Upper Howqua Campsite

Day two commences with an enjoyable climb from Hellfire Creek Campsite, over Big Hill before the final ascent to the open summit of Mt Howitt. You will then traverse the early sections of the infamous Cross Cut Saw before descending along Stanleys Name Spur and Queens Spur Road and lower section of the Howqua Feeder Track.

You will need to carry enough water (I recommend 4 litres), although the final few km are along the Howqua River.

Track grade

Grade 5 (Difficult) - Walks for the Most Experienced: Grade 5 represents the most challenging walking tracks on the AWTGS. These are only recommended for very experienced and fit walkers with specialised skills, including navigation and emergency first aid. Tracks are likely to be very rough, very steep, and unmarked. Walks may be more than 20 kilometers. These challenging walks demand a high level of fitness and experience to navigate difficult terrain, significant elevation changes, and potentially unformed paths.

Practical information

Be Prepared: This hike requires that you have a sufficient level of equipment (in good working order), fitness and self-reliance. It is vital that you take personal responsibility for ensuring you are prepared! If you are not sure, contact the hike leader prior to the hike.

Warning: This is a challenging hike that should not be underestimated. Helicopter Spur is steep and rocky requiring exposed scrambling in places. Some people may find that ropes will be useful. Some navigational experience is required.

Walk map and GPX file
Howitt & Helicopter Spur Hike (27km)

Total distance: 26727 m
Max elevation: 1734 m
Min elevation: 840 m
Total climbing: 1711 m
Total descent: -1711 m

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

Explore safely

Planning this hike? Most incidents develop before you even start. Safe outcomes depend on how navigation, hydration, environment, load and judgement work together. Small oversights can compound quickly in Australian conditions. See how it happens in the Hiking Safety Systems Foundations. Then use the Hiking Safety Systems, planning calculators, and make sure a trusted contact has your trip plan before heading out.

Leave a trip plan

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.

Planning 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

Getting to the trailhead: Alpine National Park.

From Mansfield follow the Mount Buller Road for 32km to Mirimbah. Turn left and continue up the Mount Stirling Road for 9km to Telephone Box Junction. Keep right on Circuit Road and continue over Howqua Gap to the Bindaree turnoff (60km from Mansfield). Follow Bindaree Road down to the Howqua Valley. Turn left and after 200m you will arrive at the Upper Howqua Camping Area.

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

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Accommodation nearby

Find Accommodation

Find accommodation close to the trailhead including hotels, cabins, and campgrounds. Use the interactive map to explore available options in nearby towns.

Nearby towns: Benalla, Bright, Dinner Plain, Falls Creek, Harrietville, Hotham Heights, Mansfield, Mitta Mitta, Mount Beauty, Mount Hotham, Myrtleford, Omeo, Porepunkah, Tawonga South, Wangaratta

About the region

The Alpine National Park is a national park 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.

Similar walks nearby

Looking for more walks in or near Alpine National Park? Try these trails with a similar difficulty grade.

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Reviews
Howitt & Helicopter Spur Hike (27km)

4 Reviews on “Howitt & Helicopter Spur Hike (27km)”

Overall rating

Tomas Rozbroj

March 2024:
– Fun trail, with amazing views on the ridges.
– Please don’t assume there’ll be water at Hellfire. Was dry, so we carried up 6+L.
– Tricky going on both days. Steep at high altitude, overgrown at lower altitude (esp. on Stanley’s Name spur). Navigation was OK enough but would be tricky at night in the scrub sections.
– Some scrambling required. Fine to do with pack on.
– Very cheeky foxes (I think) at Hellfire camp. Tried to steal my backpack, and even nicked a foam mat from under my closed vestibule. No fear at all sniffing centimetres from my head though my tent. Hang up your food folks.

11/03/2024, 13:21

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1. Darren Edwards Trail Author
  
  Sounds like you had a fun trip. I love this hike and your comments brought back great memories. Good tips about Hellfire as it often runs dry. Sneaky little foxes, that’s certainly something to be mindful of. That’d suck if your pack was stolen.
  
  12/03/2024, 10:20
  
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Mick Woods

Did this over the 22/23 New Year with a group of four. Trail is in great condition and was great fun. Bushwalking Vic have done work on Queens Spur to clear it between the Howqua River and Stanley Name Spur (although the blackberries are coming back fast – always a problem in that valley). You may have seen some news reporting of a hiker having trouble at the HellFire Creek/Mount Magdala Campsite. There is definitely a confident animal of some sort hanging around that site. Tore open one of our tents and dragged items all over the place. Dragged a pack from underneath a vestibule. We saw a pair of beedy eyes in the dark, but didn’t see what it was. Its strong though, perhaps a big possum or even a wily wild dog/Alpine Dingo. Unsure, but keep your gear packed properly in case.

07/01/2024, 10:49

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1. Darren Edwards Trail Author
  
  What a great way to spend New Years. Great tip on the ‘thief in the night’.
  
  12/03/2024, 10:34
  
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Lynda Maddison

Mani Andreetta

02/12/2023, 21:17

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1. Mani Andreetta
  
  Lynda Maddison thx, looks tough and amazing. I’ve wanted to do Mt, Howitt, the Crosscut Saw and Bluff track for such a long time.
  
  02/12/2023, 22:25
  
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Dean Herman

Trail Hiking Australia how hard is helicopter spur?

01/12/2023, 22:38

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1. Darren Edwards
  
  Dean Herman it’s steep and seemingly relentless but honestly, not too bad. There’s one section where you approach what seems like an impassable rock face but with a bit of investigation, it’s easy enough to find a way to climb/scramble up.
  
  01/12/2023, 23:26
  
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Ken Scott

Love it!! My first hike when I started hiking – down track was very overgrown with blackberries last I did it

01/12/2023, 22:17

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Michael Wilson

Nina Birss
Jason Goldstein
In One day ?
We did Viking fast 🤷🏻‍♂️
( and not a single meltdown😂)

01/12/2023, 22:16

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1. Jason Goldstein
  
  Michael Wilson more of a moment than a meltdown…
  
  02/12/2023, 08:31
  
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Darren Edwards

Love this hike. An excellent challenge.

01/12/2023, 21:56

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Trail Hiking Australia

This is one of my alpine favourites. A sensational hike.

01/12/2023, 21:50

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Adeline Dickson

we should

16/02/2022, 12:00

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Acknowledgement of Country

Howitt & helicopter spur hike (27km) 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

Essential information

Hike overview

Track grade

Practical information

Walk map and GPX file
Howitt & Helicopter Spur Hike (27km)

Howitt & Helicopter Spur Hike (27km)

Explore safely

Leave a trip plan

Planning checklists

Getting there

Accommodation nearby

About the region

Similar walks nearby

Howqua Feeder and Stanleys Name Spur Hike (25km)

Mount Koonika via King and Muesli Spurs (16km)

Catherine River, Speculation & Mount Cobbler Hike (42km)

The Buller Huts Trail (96km)

Gallery

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Reviews
Howitt & Helicopter Spur Hike (27km)

Howitt & Helicopter Spur Hike (27km)

4 Reviews on “Howitt & Helicopter Spur Hike (27km)”

Leave a Review. Cancel reply

Acknowledgement of Country

Curated by: Darren Edwards | Trail Hiking Australia

Last modified:

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