Hike at a Glance

Australia > Victoria > Lake Eildon National Park

Quick overview: Explore the Pinnacle, a lesser-known but rewarding peak nestled in Lake Eildon National Park, Victoria. Starting and ending at the Jerusalem Creek Day Visitor Area, this 17km circuit is a Grade 4 trail that offers a challenging yet worthwhile six-hour hike. Enjoy impressive panoramic views despite the peak's modest height and navigate through unique, diverse terrain from open grassy rises to the river flat of Barnewall Creek. Located just 155km from Melbourne CBD, and near Eildon town, the Pinnacle trail is a perfect escape into nature's dramatic landscapes.

Length:

17km

Duration:

6 hrs

Grade:

Style:

Circuit

Max elevation: 923m

Min elevation: 303m

Total Ascent: 792m

Start: Jerusalem Creek Day Visitor Area

End: Jerusalem Creek Day Visitor Area

Lake Eildon National Park

Victoria

Nearby town: Eildon

From state capital: 155km

Latitude: -37.27936505

Longitude: 145.9704763

11 Reviews

Overview

Map

Gallery

Similar

Region

Weather

5,356 views

Hike overview

Jerusalem Creek Pinnacle Circuit is a rewarding 17-kilometre loop tucked within the rugged beauty of Lake Eildon National Park in Victoria. Rated grade 4, the track demands a decent level of fitness and confidence with uneven terrain, but offers a genuine sense of immersion in the landscape that many trails in the region can't quite match. Most hikers will take around six hours to complete the circuit, with time to pause along the way to appreciate its quieter charms.

Starting at the Jerusalem Creek Day Visitor Area, the trailhead is found about 50 metres along the Jerusalem Creek Track, heading south-west. It’s marked on the left-hand side, with a well-worn footpath and orange metal triangle markers that provide a helpful guide through more remote sections. The walk begins by climbing gently over an open grassy rise, soon dipping into the river flats beside Barnewall Creek. If there’s been recent rainfall, expect muddy patches and a few slick sections underfoot. A small wooden bridge leads you over the creek, and from here, at about 1.4 kilometres in, a signpost confirms you’re on the right track to The Pinnacle.

The climb begins in earnest from this point. Winding steadily out of the gully, the trail follows a defined ridgeline, remaining true to its markers. At first, the ascent is manageable, but the gradient increases the closer you get to the summit. Around the 4-kilometre mark, you’ll reach a cluster of signposts near Rocky Spur. One arrow points north towards Taylors Creek Road, another traces your steps back to Jerusalem Creek Ford, and the last continues south, directing you onwards to The Pinnacle.

The trail briefly flattens before the final, steeper push to the summit. As you near the top, gaps in the trees open to reveal views eastward, including Mount Torbreck in the distance. The summit itself isn’t marked, but you’ll know you’ve reached it when the track begins to drop away towards a seasonal gate, where the walking track intersects with the 4WD-accessible Pinnacle Track. The outlook from the summit is partially obscured by trees, but with a bit of patience, you can spot Mount Howitt to the north-west on a clear day.

Descending from The Pinnacle, the path steepens sharply towards Knowles Gap, then swings west near White Cow Gap. The landscape shifts as you follow the winding ridge line along Gap Track, which gradually leads you downhill towards the flats near Jerusalem Creek. The final stretch, heading north for about two kilometres, retraces the edge of the forest back to where you began.

Though The Pinnacle may not be among Victoria’s highest peaks, the circuit offers a deep sense of connection to the landscape. It’s a track less travelled, where the appeal lies not just in the views, but in the rhythm of walking through country that feels wild, textured, and alive.

Jerusalem Creek Camp Area

There are a half-dozen designated camping areas at Jerusalem Creek, each with about 10 sites. These need to be pre-booked using the Parks Victoria website. Seasonal closure is in place for Jerusalem Creek Camping Areas from the Thursday following Queens Birthday weekend to the Thursday before Cup weekend. The closure is for regeneration and maintenance purposes. Areas 1, 2 and 8 remain open for camping during this time.

Track grade

Grade 4 (Hard) - Challenging Walks for Experienced Walkers: Grade 4 on the AWTGS signifies challenging walking tracks. Bushwalking experience is recommended for these tracks, which may be long, rough, and very steep. Directional signage may be limited, requiring a good sense of navigation. These walks are suited for experienced walkers who are comfortable with steeper inclines, rougher terrain, and potentially longer distances.

Practical information

Pet lovers, note: this is the only camping spot in the national park in which dogs are permitted.

Walk map and GPX file
Jerusalem Creek Pinnacle Circuit Hike (17km)

Total distance: 16559 m
Max elevation: 923 m
Min elevation: 303 m
Total climbing: 792 m
Total descent: -792 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: Lake Eildon National Park.

The trail head is 155km from Melbourne’s CBD on Jerusalem Inlet, 10 km south of the township of Eildon and reached by following Jerusalem Creek Rd. Once past all Jerusalem campsites a small vehicle ford (concrete base) must be crossed before parking at the Jerusalem Creek Day Visitor Area (space for about 4 cars), on the left.

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

Get there with Google Maps

Access conditions

2WD Access
Gravel Road
Winding Road
Vehicle Ford
Small Car Park

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: Alexandra, Bonnie Doon, Eildon, Jamieson, Mansfield, Yea

About the region

Lake Eildon National Park is in the northern foothills of Victoria's Central Highlands, 150 km north-east of Melbourne. Situated on the shores of Lake Eildon, the park protects 27,750 ha of rugged hills with open woodlands through to dense forest. It is very scenic and offers the opportunity to experience an array of wildlife, natural and historic features and a wide range of recreational activities. Lake Eildon National Park offers a variety of settings to explore; from open bush in the north, to dense vegetation in the south and east. Enjoy bushwalking, cycling, boating and fishing or try the more adventurous pursuit of waterskiing. Relax in a scenic environment and experience native wildlife.

Similar walks nearby

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

Favourite

The pinnacle walking track trail hiking australia 600x254

The Pinnacle Walking Track (11km)

Lake Eildon National Park

Victoria

9 Reviews

11km

4 hrs

Return

Favourite

Jerusalem Creek Camp to the Pinnacle Hike (23km)

Lake Eildon National Park

Victoria

7 Reviews

23km

7 hrs

Return

Favourite

Rocky Peak & the Pinnacle Hike (7.7km)

Lake Eildon National Park

Victoria

6 Reviews

7.7km

3 hrs

Circuit

Favourite

Mount Torbreck Circuit Hike (9km)

Mount Torbreck Scenic Reserve

Victoria

11 Reviews

9km

4 hrs

Circuit

Gallery

Suggest an edit

Notice something different about this trail? Whether it’s a new feature, a route change, or a closure, share your update so we can keep our info accurate and helpful for fellow hikers.

Click to suggest edits >>

Suggested edit

Trail statusThis trail is OPEN.This trail is permanently CLOSED.Please only report permanent closures and provide evidence in the edit box below.

Trail Features (select all that apply)Aboriginal ArtAlpine HutsAlpine RegionBeach & CoastalBicycle TrailConcrete PathDog FriendlyDrinking WaterExposed LedgesFishing SpotsGoldfields & MiningGorgesGravel PathHeritageHorse RidingLakesLighthouseManual WheelchairMotorised WheelchairMountain Bike TrailOff TrailOvernight CampsitesPrams & StrollersRail TrailRainforestRiver CrossingsRiversRock ScramblingRough TrailSandy TrailScenic ViewpointsSteep TerrainSwimming SpotsTimber BoardwalkTrail RunningUndefined TrailUntreated WaterUrbanWaterfallsWell Marked Trail

Access Conditions (select all that apply)2WD Access4WD AccessAccessible ParkingAccessible ToiletBBQ FacilitiesBitumen RoadCampfire PitCamping AreaDrinking WaterEntry FeeGravel RoadLarge Car ParkPicnic ShelterPicnic TablePublic ToiletsPublic TransportSmall Car ParkSpeed BumpsSteep RoadUntreated WaterVehicle FordWinding Road

First Name

Last Name

Email Address

Please do not fill in this field.

Reviews
Jerusalem Creek Pinnacle Circuit Hike (17km)

11 Reviews on “Jerusalem Creek Pinnacle Circuit Hike (17km)”

Overall rating

Angie Kouvrakis

Stratos Kouvrakis our next hike?

24/03/2022, 05:21

Like
Log in to Reply
Lizzie Kate

Robyn Shingles put this on the list?

24/03/2022, 05:21

Like
Log in to Reply
Michelle Wyard

Martin have you done this ??

24/03/2022, 05:21

Like
Log in to Reply
Nath Wong

Ye Cheng You bookmarked

24/03/2022, 05:21

Like
Log in to Reply
Leesa Swanson

Suzie Sharp I hope you’re writing a list ?

24/03/2022, 05:21

Like
Log in to Reply
Peter Stickland

This is a good hike up to the Pinnacle. Note at the moment there is a lot of fallen timber across the trail (some at head height – ouch!).
Also, as I was short of time I back-tracked 1.5km from the summit and took the faint foot pad across to Taylors Creek Rd, which is then a nice return with occasional views to the east. about 13-14km all up.

24/03/2022, 05:21

Like
Log in to Reply
Jay Lewis

Karen Malloch ?

24/03/2022, 05:21

Like
Log in to Reply
Cheryl Nash

Like this one .

24/03/2022, 05:21

Like
Log in to Reply
Michelle Wyard

Jill we need to do this…

24/03/2022, 05:21

Like
Log in to Reply
Diane Donoghue

Tammy this looks good too!

24/03/2022, 05:21

Like
Log in to Reply
Stefan Krakka

Jamie Jamie

24/03/2022, 05:21

Like
Log in to Reply
Stacey Martin

Belinda Miller

24/03/2022, 05:21

Like
Log in to Reply
Beau Farrawell

Dominic Tan we should do this!

24/03/2022, 05:21

Like
Log in to Reply
Kristy Hope Arvaj

Aaron Cardy

24/03/2022, 05:21

Like
Log in to Reply
Liz Owen

Felicity Kaye – another trip to Eildon??

24/03/2022, 05:21

Like
Log in to Reply
Susan Love

Carmen Hollway

24/03/2022, 05:21

Like
Log in to Reply
Virginia Cuthbert

Craig Cuthbert ?

24/03/2022, 05:21

Like
Log in to Reply
Mark R Reardon

Well l had planned to do this in my build up for Hut2Hut but…… well you know…. lockdown.

09/12/2020, 21:25

Like
Log in to Reply
Kylie Davies-Culloden

Jim

09/12/2020, 08:43

Like
Log in to Reply
Ben Liston

James Harris

09/10/2020, 22:29

Like
Log in to Reply

Leave a Review. Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Acknowledgement of Country

Jerusalem creek pinnacle circuit hike (17km) 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:

May 1, 2025

Hike at a Glance

Hike overview

Jerusalem Creek Camp Area

Track grade

Practical information

Walk map and GPX file
Jerusalem Creek Pinnacle Circuit Hike (17km)

Jerusalem Creek Pinnacle Circuit Hike (17km)

Explore safely

Leave a trip plan

Planning checklists

Getting there

Access conditions

Accommodation nearby

About the region

Similar walks nearby

The Pinnacle Walking Track (11km)

Jerusalem Creek Camp to the Pinnacle Hike (23km)

Rocky Peak & the Pinnacle Hike (7.7km)

Mount Torbreck Circuit Hike (9km)

Gallery

Suggest an edit

Reviews
Jerusalem Creek Pinnacle Circuit Hike (17km)

Jerusalem Creek Pinnacle Circuit Hike (17km)

11 Reviews on “Jerusalem Creek Pinnacle Circuit Hike (17km)”

Leave a Review. Cancel reply

Acknowledgement of Country

Curated by: Darren Edwards | Trail Hiking Australia

Last modified:

Tips and advice

Get involved

About