Hike at a glance

5,721

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

Difficulty

Grade 5 (Difficult)

Trail type

Circuit

Route details

Max elevation: 1734m
Min elevation: 840m
Total Ascent: 1711m

Start: Upper Howqua Camping Area

End: Upper Howqua Camping Area

Location: Alpine National Park

State: Victoria

Nearest town: Mansfield

State capital distance: 246km

Latitude: -37.173555572451676

Longitude: 146.56111518354916

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 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

Difficulty

Planning

Safety

Getting there

The region

Photos

Weather

About this trail

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.

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.

Trail difficulty

Grade 5 (difficult) badge

Grade 5 (Difficult)

Remote, unmarked, and high consequence
These are the most challenging walks and are only suited to highly experienced and well-prepared hikers.

Expect very rough, steep, and often unmarked terrain, with limited or no signage. Navigation skills are essential, and you must be self-reliant, including emergency preparedness. Distances may exceed 20km, and conditions can quickly become serious if things go wrong.

Safety note: There is little margin for error. Mistakes in navigation, weather judgement, or preparation can have serious consequences.

Planning information

Preparation matters: Plan your overnight hike well and bring the right gear, weather-appropriate layers, food and plenty of water. Before you head out, read up on bushwalking safety and use this overnight hike planning guide to make sure you're ready. Need help getting started? Check out the full hike preparation guide.

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.

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.

Safety and preparation

Think safety first

Australian conditions can turn a small oversight into a serious situation faster than most walkers expect. The Hiking Safety Systems and planning calculators are designed to help you identify and close those gaps before you leave home. Work through the Interactive Safety Scenarios to see how incidents unfold, then use the tools to build your plan and make sure a trusted contact has your trip details before you head out.

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.

Let someone know your plans →

Heading somewhere remote, off-track or overnight? Use the comprehensive trip intentions form instead — your emergency contact will need more detail. Register your trip plan here →

Free 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 and where to stay

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 →

Get there with Google Maps

Accommodation nearby

Find hotels, cabins, and campgrounds near the trailhead. Click the button below to open an interactive map automatically centred on this hike's location — no searching required.

Accommodation →

Or search accommodation in nearby towns: Benalla, Bright, Dinner Plain, Falls Creek, Harrietville, Hotham Heights, Mansfield, Mitta Mitta, Mount Beauty, Mount Hotham, Myrtleford, Omeo, Porepunkah, Tawonga South, Wangaratta

Explore the region

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.

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Photo gallery

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Weather on the trail

Alpine National Park

The map below shows the rain forecast for the trail area. Tap the toggle in the top right corner to explore other layers including wind, temperature, UV index, thunderstorms, fire danger, and weather warnings — all useful for planning a safe hike.

Trail Reviews

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

Route details

About this trail

Hike summary

Trail difficulty

Grade 5 (Difficult)

Planning information

Trail tips

Map and GPX file

Safety and preparation

Think safety first

Let someone know

Free checklists

Getting there and where to stay

Accommodation nearby

Explore the region

About the region

Explore nearby hikes

Howitt & the High Country Hike (22km)

Howqua Feeder and Stanleys Name Spur Hike (25km)

Delatite River Trail (23km)

Mount Koonika via King and Muesli Spurs (16km)

Photo gallery

Weather on the trail

Trail Reviews

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

Leave a Review. Cancel reply

Notice something different about this trail?

Acknowledgement of Country

Curated by: Darren Edwards | Trail Hiking Australia

Last modified:

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