Howqua Feeder and Stanleys Name Spur circuit is a challenging 25km, grade 5 hike located in the Alpine National Park, Victoria. The hike should take around 2 days to complete.
Warning
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
The Howqua Feeder and Stanleys Name Spur circuit commences at the Upper Howqua Camping Area in Victoria's Alpine National Park. The two day traverse visits Mount Howitt West Peak, the stunning Mount Howitt summit and follows a brief section of the Australian Alpine Walking Track (AAWT) along the first section of the Cross Cut Saw before descending to the Howqua River in the valley below.
This is an excellent two-day hike in the Victorian Alps with varied terrain, vegetation, spectacular views. This hike is a great way to experience Victorian High Country.
Day 1: (11km)
Commencing at the Upper Howqua Camping area, the initial stage is an enjoyable flat flat along the Howqua where you'll experience and six river crossings. After approximately 3.5km, at the junction of the Howqua Feeder Track and Queen Spur Road, keep right to remain on the Howqua Feeder Track. From there, the ascent of Howqua Spur commences. Over the next 4.5km, you will climb from around 935m to an elevation of 1707m, a gain of 772m, to reach Mount Howitt West Peak. The circuit hike then continues east to the summit of Mount Howitt for spectaluar views ocross the Victorian Alps.
From the summit, continue east along the AAWT and gradually descend to the junction of the Cross Cut Saw. This is the junction you will need to return to at the beginning of day 2. From the junction, follow the Mount Howitt Walking Track east to the lovely capsite at Macalister Springs.
Tucked away on a ridge off Mount Howitt, the heart of the Victorian Alps, lies Macalister Springs. This sheltered campsite offers a small, open glade with a reliable natural spring (Remember to treat water before drinking). Above the glade sits a distinctive A-frame hut, the Vallejo Gantner Hut. Construction of this hut commenced in late 1968 and was built as a memorial following the death of Vallejo Gantner, the grandson of Sidney Myer the founder of the Myer department store chain.
Day 2 (14km):
Day two commences by retracting your steps for approximately 1.3km to the junction of the AAWT and Mount Howitt Walking Track. Take the track to your right that heads north west along the first stages of the infamous Cross Cut Saw. After approximately 1.4km, you will need to locate the Stanleys Name Spur Walking Track that breaks west (left) off the ridgeline.
This initial descent of Stanleys name Spur is steep and rocky but eases after approximately 1km before descending to the junction of Queen Spur Road. Heading south from the junction, follow Queen Spur Road and it winds it way to the Howqua River and the junction of the Howqua Feeder Track and Queen Spur Road (where you were at the beginning of day 1).
From this junction, you will now retrace your steps for around 3.5km, following the Howqua River back the the trailhead.
Route and GPX file
Max elevation: 1735 m
Min elevation: 842 m
Total climbing: 1493 m
Total descent: -1493 m
Trail features
- Rough Trail
- Undefined Trail
- Trail Running
- Alpine Region
- Alpine Huts
- Exposed Ledges
- Rock Scrambling
- Steep Terrain
- River Crossings
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Untreated Water
- Overnight Campsites
Tips
- 016Please note this track is subject to seasonal closures.
- When covered with snow, snowshoes must be worn.
- As a general guide, walking/hiking is encouraged from October to May inclusive and snowshoeing from June to September inclusive.
- Portable stoves are recommended. If you are lighting a campfire, use fallen timber, keep it small and never leave it unattended. Please carry out all your rubbish. Dogs are not allowed.
Trail location
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Getting there
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.
The Upper Howqua Camping Area is a basic camping area in the Alpine National Park with drop toilet. The 2WD accessible road to the campground is seasonally closed during winter.
Access conditions
- 2WD Access
- Gravel Road
- Winding Road
- Large Car Park
- Public Toilets
- Untreated Water
- Camping Area
Gallery
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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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Gear to consider
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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.
0 Reviews on “Howqua Feeder and Stanleys Name Spur Hike (25km)”
I found going up to the ridge quite challenging from Stanley’s Name Spur. I’m not sure if recommend going down with a full pack. One of our group had terrible vertigo and that 1 or 2km up from the camp on the saddle below took a lot of coaxing (with the others dragging he pack up between them).
Liz Marr I’ve always gone down the spur but I don’t mind a technical scramble.