Lake Mountain and Keppel Hut is a 25km, grade 3 hike in Yarra Ranges National Park, Victoria. This hike typically takes 7–8 hours to complete.
The Lake Mountain and Keppel Hut hike explores the outer edges of the Lake Mountain plateau, linking a network of well-formed management roads and walking tracks with historic huts, snow gum forest, and expansive alpine views. While much of the route follows vehicle tracks, the distance and elevation changes make this a rewarding full-day walk.
Commencing at the Snowy Hill Car Park, follow the Upper Taggerty 4WD Road north through alpine ash forest for approximately 6km. The road is easy to follow and passes several intersecting tracks along the way. Continue on Upper Taggerty Road all the way to the Keppel Hut Road, avoiding any unmarked or overgrown side tracks.
Turn right onto Keppel Hut Road and follow it a short distance to Keppel Hut. The Keppel brothers built several huts in this area from 1885, with the current hut constructed in 1985. It remains in excellent condition and is representative of a traditional mountain cattlemen’s hut. This is a good place to stop for a break. Keppel Hut is also a popular overnight camping location, with a cleared area for tents, toilet facilities nearby, and Keppel Hut Creek usually flowing.
From the hut, retrace your steps briefly before continuing along the East Boundary Track. The track climbs steadily through snow gum forest to Bullfight Lookout and the ruins of Boundary Hut, the highest point on the Lake Mountain plateau at around 1460m. From here, head south along Boundary Trail, making a short side trip to Panorama Lookout for views across the ranges.
Continue south via Triangle Junction and Echo Flat, then follow the Royston Trail to Gerratys Car Park. From Gerratys, continue south along the Lake Mountain Summit Trail to the 1433m summit. Heading east from the summit, follow the trail as it gradually descends through the Snowy Hill Playground before returning to the Snowy Hill Car Park.
Overnight hike option
This hike works well as an introductory overnight walk. There is a clearing around Keppel Hut suitable for tents. The hut can be used for shelter during the day, but overnight visitors should plan to sleep in a tent or their own shelter rather than inside the hut.
Grade 3 (Moderate) - Walks for Most Fitness Levels: Grade 3 on the
AWTGS represents moderate walking tracks. These are ideal for walkers with some fitness who are comfortable with some hills and uneven terrain. While suitable for most ages, some bushwalking experience is recommended to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Tracks may have short, steep hill sections, a rough surface, and many steps. The total distance of a Grade 3 walk can be up to 20 kilometers.
Note: Older maps, comments below, and some reports reference a former shortcut via Gould Track. This route is no longer identifiable on the ground and is no longer included in the current hike description or GPX.
Total distance: 24694 m
Max elevation: 1481 m
Min elevation: 1079 m
Total climbing: 857 m
Total descent: -855 m
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Getting to the trailhead: Lake Mountain Alpine Resort.
The walk starts from Snowy Hill Car Park at Lake Mountain Alpine Resort.
Lake Mountain is around a two hour drive from the Melbourne CBD. Head east through the eastern suburbs, continue through the Yarra Valley, then follow the Black Spur to Narbethong. From here, take the turn off to Marysville.
In Marysville, follow Woods Point Road for approximately 11km, then turn left onto Lake Mountain Road. Continue for a further 11km to reach the Lake Mountain Alpine Resort Village. Snowy Hill Car Park is clearly signposted within the resort area and provides convenient parking for the start and finish of the hike.
Need a rental car to get you to the hike? Find one here.
Find accommodation close to the trailhead including hotels, cabins, and campgrounds. Use the interactive map to explore available options in nearby towns.
Nearby towns: Belgrave, Emerald, Healesville, Lilydale, Marysville, Monbulk, Montrose, Mount Dandenong, Olinda, Warburton
Lake Mountain Alpine Resort is one of Victoria’s officially designated alpine resorts, located around two hours from Melbourne and managed by Alpine Resorts Victoria. While best known for its winter snow season, Lake Mountain is a year round destination with easy access and a wide range of outdoor experiences.
Set within Yarra Ranges National Park, the area is characterised by Snow Gum woodland, tall Mountain Ash forests, and open alpine plateaus. In winter, Lake Mountain is a popular spot for snow play and cross country skiing, while the warmer months reveal walking tracks, lookouts, and seasonal wildflowers from late spring through summer.
The surrounding Yarra Ranges extend across a broad landscape between Melbourne and the Victorian Alps, with towns such as Marysville and Healesville acting as gateways to the park. Scenic drives, short walks, and forest trails make the region an appealing destination throughout the year, whether visiting for snow, hiking, or a quieter day outdoors.
Looking for more walks in or near Lake Mountain Alpine Resort? Try these trails with a similar difficulty grade.
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11 Reviews on “Lake Mountain & Keppel Hut Hike (25km)”
Was one of my favourite spots to run my dog team. Keppels was always our snack spot.
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Thanks for reminding me of this one!
It’s a great walk to introduce people to an overnight hike!
Stewart Proper absolutely. I keep telling people Beeripmo Walk is a great starter for an overnighter and often forget about this one too.
Nice day hike this one. Also good as a relatively easy overnighter, camping near Keppel Hut.
I just completed the hike yesterday. Gould Track is non-existant, and the local map that I obtained (last updated Jan 2017) doesn’t even show it. I couldn’t find either end of it, so I think it’s safe to say that the track has been completely abandoned.
Upper Taggerty Rd is still closed (this includes walkers). They have cleared most trees, there are only a couple dozen left to climb over. Keppel’s Hut Walking Trail is also closed to walkers (not sure why, only closed on the Ski Field side). Lady Talbot Drive is also closed from Lower Beeches for tree removal, and I’m unaware of the status of McFadyen Tk, so it’s possible that Keppel’s Hut is (supposed to be) inaccessible to all traffic, both foot and vehicular. I expect that by spring this year (2023) this should be all cleared up.
For Keppel’s Hut Walking Trail and Boundary Hut Trail, you will want long pants that can withstand going bush. While the trail isn’t difficult to follow, there are sections that are nearly completely overgrown. There are trail markers, and there is still only one route to push through easily, so it’s reasonably straightforward navigating through it despite that. Just, don’t wear shorts. You will regret it.
Other than that, it’s a pretty decent hike. Total hiking for me was probably 7-8 hours, and I camped at Keppel’s Hut overnight. However, I did skip the Lake Mountain Summit. Views were, unfortunately, largely ruined by cloud and fog, so that detour wasn’t all that worth it for me.
Interestingly, a lot of this route follows the 7 Peaks Run markers, but I can’t find any routes by that name on this site. Might be something to look into.
Thanks Nathan. Yeah, that trail has been gone for quite some time. Bit of off trail if anyone is ever keen, but much easier to walk around. Thanks for the tip on the 7 Peaks Run. I’ll look into that. Cheers
This circuit is not currently (April 2022) viable as the Lady Talbot Drive Hazardous Tree Removal Project has closed off all of the access routes to Keppel Hut, including the full length of Upper Taggerty 4WD Road and the trails starting from Panorama.
Thanks for the update Richard
Keppells Hut is a great spot. Have run dog teams into there for the last dozen or so years when the snow conditions have been right.
Fantastic history to this Hut, rebuilt in 2011 after the Black Saturday Fires. Sadly the old log books were destroyed which detailed many people’s trips to the Hut.
Kyle Hura – spring time walk!
Laura Adams Wendy Hsieh
Laura Adams why not
Leona Xu good (but hard) question! ?
Marnie Houghton Kirsty Sims let’s do dinner and games night soon to plan!
Matt Keeble !!?
When you going to pony up son ?
Let’s go..
Matt Keeble total coverage. Get willow to pack snowshoes
Matt KeebleLETS GO !
Matthew Paulding Lets do it !
Mid November.. anybody interested?
Might do this over my Xmas break.
Mish Hannan wanna do this with me one day?
Nice idea
Not sure how it works with Trail Hiking Australia if an official organizer is not available. Is it possible to propose a Meet-Up?
One of our obstacles, a washout from the river.
Possibly Aneeta Pillai
Ray Murray as if we would
Really keen to do this! Looks like really good fun!
Samantha Smith Kirsty Sims we need to plan on pls
Vaughan Bowman