Hike at a glance

25,504

Quick overview: Take on the challenging yet rewarding Lerderderg Circuit Walk in Victoria's Lerderderg State Park. Just a short trip from Bacchus Marsh and 67km from Melbourne, this 8.2km circuit starts and ends at Mackenzies Flat Picnic Area. It offers a hard Grade 4 hike through diverse terrain, along the Lerderderg River, and up to the Blackwood Ranges. Expect steep ascents, rocky scrambles, and scenic spots like Graham's Dam. Plan for a 3-4 hour trip and don't forget to stop, catch your breath and enjoy the stunning river gorge views.

Length

8.2km

Duration

3-4 hrs

Difficulty

Grade 4 (Hard)

Trail type

Circuit

Route details

Max elevation: 445m
Min elevation: 142m
Total Ascent: 451m

Start: Mackenzies Flat Picnic area

End: Mackenzies Flat Picnic area

Location: Lerderderg State Park

State: Victoria

Nearest town: Bacchus Marsh

State capital distance: 67km

Latitude: -37.6154637195361

Longitude: 144.42543268203738

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

Lerderderg State Park is a rugged, remote area with minimal directional signage, making it essential to be well-prepared before venturing beyond the main picnic areas or Graham’s Dam. Conditions in the park can be challenging, and reliable navigation skills are important—relying solely on a phone app may not be sufficient. For safety, bring a map, compass, or GPS device, and ensure you’re comfortable using them. Many rescues here could have been prevented with proper preparation and awareness of the park’s unique conditions.

The Lerderderg Circuit Walk in Victoria's Lerderderg State Park is an 8.2-kilometre hike that often proves more challenging than many expect. While the trail is classified as Grade 4 and generally takes 3 to 4 hours to complete, it's not uncommon for some hikers to take 5 to 6 hours, particularly those unfamiliar with the terrain. The hike offers a variety of natural highlights, from river views to steep ascents, making it a rewarding challenge for those prepared for its demands. Starting at Mackenzies Flat Picnic Area, the trail follows the Lerderderg River upstream towards Graham's Dam, where the serene river pools, creating an inviting spot to pause and cool off.

After reaching Graham's Dam, the trail crosses to the eastern bank of the river, continuing upstream for about 600 metres past the LER502 and LER503 trail markers. Although the path becomes slightly overgrown beyond this point, it remains manageable, making it easy to follow despite the occasional encroaching vegetation. Following the river north, the trail leads you to trail marker LER504, marking the start of Link Track No. 2. This section requires a steady climb up a steep and often rocky spur. While the ascent can be slippery and challenging at times, the well-marked trail with orange blazes on trees provides good guidance. A few rock scrambles add to the adventure, and the view back into the river gorge offers a rewarding sight.

At the top of the ascent, the track joins the Blackwood Ranges Track, a well-maintained vehicle track that offers a relatively gentle walk for about 600 metres to the south. This stretch provides a brief respite before reaching Link Track No. 1, which leads you back into the gorge. The descent is steep with rocky loose sections to navigate. You will emerge on the river and Grahams Dam at the LER501 marker. The return journey from Graham’s Dam is a familiar one, as you retrace your steps along the river track to reach Mackenzies Flat.

Although it's possible to complete the circuit in reverse, most hikers find that Link Track No. 2 is easier to ascend, while Link Track No. 1 is better suited for the descent. The choice is entirely up to you. With its mix of river-side walks, forested ascents, and panoramic views, the Lerderderg Circuit Walk provides a rewarding experience for those seeking both challenge and beauty in Victoria’s stunning Lerderderg State Park.

MacKenzies Flat Picnic Area

Mackenzies Flat Picnic Area, located at the southern end of Lerderderg State Park, offers a lovely setting for a family picnic or barbecue amidst native bushland. A quick 5-minute drive from Bacchus Marsh, it’s a convenient spot to enjoy the outdoors. The grassy picnic area includes barbecues and long-drop toilets, providing a rustic but comfortable place to relax.

The Lerderderg River, which flows seasonally and may dry up in summer, is perfect for a refreshing, knee-deep splash when water levels allow. Mackenzies Flat also serves as the starting point for hiking trails and shorter walks through the dramatic Lerderderg Gorge, making it a great base for exploring the park’s rugged landscapes.

Trail difficulty

Grade 4 (hard) badge

Grade 4 (Hard)

Steep, rough, and demanding
These are challenging walks suited to experienced hikers. Expect sustained climbs, rough and uneven terrain, and longer distances.

Tracks may be less defined, and signage can be limited, so navigation awareness is important. These walks require good fitness, confidence on difficult terrain, and the ability to manage fatigue over time.

Safety note: Fatigue, poor navigation, or a sudden weather change can turn a hard walk into a serious situation.

Planning information

Preparation matters: Plan your half-day 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 day hike planning guide to make sure you're ready. Need help getting started? Check out the full hike preparation guide.

Make sure you are prepared with water, compass and a good map.
Map I used: Lerderderg and Werribee Gorges by Meridian.

Dog Friendly
Untreated Water

Map and GPX file

Lerderderg Circuit Walk - Link Tracks 1 & 2 (8.2km)

Total distance: 8220 m
Max elevation: 445 m
Min elevation: 142 m
Total climbing: 451 m
Total descent: -450 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

Lerderderg State Park

MacKenzies Flat Picnic Area, located at the southern end of Lerderderg State Park, is easily accessible from Melbourne and serves as the trailhead for various walks in the park. To get there, take the M8 Western Freeway towards Ballarat and exit at Bacchus Marsh (Exit 16). From the exit, follow Bacchus Marsh Road and turn right onto Grant Street, which transitions into Bacchus Marsh-Gisborne Road. After approximately 3 kilometers, turn left onto Lerderderg Gorge Road and continue until the road ends at MacKenzies Flat. This scenic area, surrounded by native bushland, offers facilities such as car parking, toilets, picnic tables, and barbecues. While perfect for a picnic or as a base for exploring the park, note that camping and dogs are not permitted in the picnic area.

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

Get there with Google Maps

2WD Access
Public Transport
Large Car Park
Accessible Toilet
Picnic Shelter

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 browse accommodation in nearby towns: Bacchus Marsh, Ballan, Blackwood, Bullengarook, Coimadai, Darley, Daylesford, Gisborne, Kyneton, Macarthur, Macedon, Maddingley, Melton, Myrniong, Sunbury, Trentham, Woodend

Explore the region

About the region

Rising in the Great Dividing Range, the Lerderderg River has cut a 300 metre deep gorge through sandstone and slate, almost bisecting the park. The park has a wide variety of vegetation and wildlife and some interesting relics of gold mining. Lerderderg State Park encompasses scenic and geological gorge formations surrounding the Lerderderg River as well as the volcanic cone of Mount Blackwood. The adjacent and separate block called the Pyrete Range forms part of the park. The Lerderderg is known for its remote setting and the 300m deep Lerderderg River gorge is a dominant feature. Private land abuts the park to the south and the Wombat State forest abuts to the north and west.

Lerderderg State Park (incorporating the former Pyrete State Forest) is a 14,250-hectare park located between Bacchus Marsh and Blackwood, an hour's drive from Melbourne, Australia. There are several maintained tracks for walking through the park and camping is allowed.

The park is named for the Lerderderg River which has cut the 300 metre deep Lerderderg Gorge through sandstone and slate, almost bisecting the park. Parks Victoria maintains six designated walks: three short walks of 3.5 km or less; Blackwood-O'Briens Crossing and return (22 km); O'Briens Crossing-Cowan Track loop (14 km); and the overnight walk O'Briens Crossing to Mackenzies Flat (20 km).

In addition, one leg of the Great Dividing Trail, the Lerderderg Track, passes through the park, entering from Blackwood in the park's northwest, and exiting south towards Bacchus Marsh. Bicycles are prohibited from one section of this track, due to a conservation area.

Explore nearby hikes

Photo gallery

Lerderderg circuit walk link tracks 1 & 2 7

Lerderderg circuit walk link tracks 1 & 2 20

Lerderderg circuit walk link tracks 1 & 2 14

Lerderderg circuit walk link tracks 1 & 2 12

Lerderderg circuit walk link tracks 1 & 2 4

Lerderderg circuit walk link tracks 1 & 2 23

Lerderderg circuit walk link tracks 1 & 2 15

Lerderderg circuit walk link tracks 1 & 2 17

Lerderderg circuit walk link tracks 1 & 2 21

Lerderderg circuit walk link tracks 1 & 2 31

Lerderderg circuit walk link tracks 1 & 2 25

Lerderderg circuit walk link tracks 1 & 2 26

Lerderderg circuit walk link tracks 1 & 2 1

Lerderderg circuit walk link tracks 1 & 2 18

Lerderderg circuit walk link tracks 1 & 2 29

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Weather on the trail

Lerderderg State 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

10 Reviews on “Lerderderg Circuit Walk - Link Tracks 1 & 2 (8.2km)”

Overall rating

Jane Sebastion

The views are absolutely breathtaking, with everything from open woodland to dramatic gorge landscapes. The track is demanding, so I’d recommend it for those with a good level of fitness and hiking experience. Some sections could use more signage, so it’s definitely a good idea to bring a map or GPX file. Overall, it was a fantastic walk, offering both a physical challenge and the chance to disconnect and enjoy nature. If you’re up for a rewarding, off-the-beaten-path hike, this one’s definitely worth considering!

17/11/2024, 18:37

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Vera Aleksandar Jovevski

Beautiful

04/10/2023, 17:54

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Aleksandar Jovevski

One of my next

04/10/2023, 14:34

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Lorelle Baylee

One of my faves ⛰️🏃🏼‍♀️🥰

03/10/2023, 22:25

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1. Lorelle Baylee
  
  Media: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2314826292051593&set=p.2314826292051593&type=3
  
  03/10/2023, 22:30
  
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2. Trail Hiking Australia
  
  Lorelle Baylee now there’s a happy hiker. 🙂
  
  03/10/2023, 22:37
  
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3. Lorelle Baylee
  
  Trail Hiking Australia An amazing place. I think that’s about halfway up link track 2.
  
  03/10/2023, 22:40
  
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4. Trail Hiking Australia
  
  Lorelle Baylee I love that hike too. It’s right in my backyard. Well almost.
  
  03/10/2023, 22:45
  
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5. Lorelle Baylee
  
  Trail Hiking Australia That’s fantastic!
  
  03/10/2023, 23:04
  
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6. Trail Hiking Australia
  
  Lorelle Baylee I’m pretty happy living here. The Lerdy is my playground.
  
  03/10/2023, 23:40
  
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7. Lorelle Baylee
  
  Trail Hiking Australia I mostly go to the You Yangs, then Lerdies, then Anakie Gorge and Werribee Gorge.
  My favourite (most epic) adventures have been at Lerdies, that’s for sure but the Youies are good good for just a regular trail run. I’ve loved exploring all the different sections of Lerdies … but there is so much still to see
  
  03/10/2023, 23:43
  
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8. Trail Hiking Australia
  
  Lorelle Baylee all amazing places. It’s funny you say there’s still so much to see. When I first started hiking, I only ever hiked in the Lerdy. It was literally at my back gate at the time. Even though I hiked every weekend for two years, I still haven’t hiked every spur or gully. I love exploring there still.
  
  03/10/2023, 23:50
  
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Darren Edwards

This is one of my favourites and is a great training hike. Just be careful with this one as it often takes people longer than they think. It’s also the top contender in the gorge for people needing to be rescued. Make sure you have a reliable map to follow and keep a keen eye out for any markers as they can easily be missed if you aren’t paying attention.

03/10/2023, 22:25

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Leanne Chalker

Jesse

03/10/2023, 21:51

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Darren Edwards Trail Author

This is one of my favorites circuit hikes in the Lerderderg. It’s not long but it can be challenging. If you are doing this hike clockwise, just be careful heading down link 2 track. About 2/3 of the way down, the official trail breaks to the right and you need to be careful not to continue straight down the spur to the river. A lot of people have become lost and needed assistance when they missed the official trail.

20/08/2023, 13:58

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Jo Tyson

Martin Tim does this look familiar?

24/03/2022, 05:20

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1. Catherine Schubert
  
  Nichola Schubert
  
  24/03/2022, 05:20
  
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  1. Darren Edwards Trail Author
    
    Welcome to the site Jonathan and thanks for your comments. The link 2 track actually has two ascents. Parks Vic had never identified any of them so this trail covers the one that starts at LER504. Since erecting signage for the circuit walk they have now identified the track further to the north as a route. Both are shown on all maps I have.
    
    Thanks again for tour comments
    
    Cheers Darren Edwards
    
    05/11/2021, 02:35
    
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  2. Markus Tschech
    
    Really nice walk with great views.
    
    It can get pretty challenging, and with a baby on my back, i’m very grateful we did the loop clockwise. There’s more to hold on to, and less loose gravel on the northern (Link Track 2) section.
    
    04/12/2021, 08:19
    
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  3. Amy Christopherson
    
    Sharon Picking ??
    Dave Pantalon
    
    24/03/2022, 05:20
    
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    1. Katherine Fry
      
      Yes, a wonderful adventure – I think it awakened a thirst in many of us for more.
      
      24/03/2022, 05:20
      
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  4. Martin Tyson
    
    yep, certainly feeling it today, physio was my best friend today!
    
    24/03/2022, 05:20
    
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    1. Anastasia Casagrande
      
      yes keen!!!
      
      24/03/2022, 05:20
      
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  5. Marija Marija
    
    Thanks Joe, will check it out ?
    
    24/03/2022, 05:20
    
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Carol Reid

Great memories ? As they say those were the days.

24/03/2022, 05:20

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1. Remi
  
  Great Trail!,
  The climb is challenging, I do not recommend playing tennis the day before but it was worth it!
  Looking to do it again with more water in the river
  
  24/03/2022, 05:20
  
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  1. Jonathan O Keeffe
    
    Hi all
    
    First time on the site. Just completed this walk.
    Might be good to point out that you’ll need to Ford the river at both LER502 and LER503. Plenty of fording on this walk ðŸ˜Š. With today’s river height you would have very wet feet if you were in trainers (most people I saw on the trail were in trainers) . I’m glad I waxed my leather boots ðŸ¥¾ last night, before the hike.
    
    In the hike summary, the author mentions that the Link 2 starts at LER504. It doesn’t really if you’re following the map ðŸ—º but it was a nice, but steep, shortcut that got you up to the spur. Once you get to the top, start heading southbound and be careful of being waylaid by the Link 2 orange trail markers (ended up going back north by mistake for a bit).
    
    I was using the Avenza app with the parks Victoria map ðŸ—º
    
    05/09/2021, 13:17
    
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  2. Carol Reid
    
    Have lots of memories of going here with Mick Gary John Tank Cheryl
    
    24/03/2022, 05:20
    
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  3. Brian Cristina
    
    I’ve got all trails. I accidentally paid for it on the app store. But it’s a good app.
    
    24/03/2022, 05:20
    
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    1. Tim Woods
      
      Jo Tyson it does. Shame we missed that crossing and bush bashed up beside Link 2 on Sunday morning. Good for the soul but I am sore!
      
      24/03/2022, 05:20
      
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      1. Kalissa Alexeyeff
        
        Loved it. Seemed so remote up the top
        
        24/03/2022, 05:20
        
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      2. Joe Greco
        
        Marija Marija
        
        24/03/2022, 05:20
        
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    2. Liz Pye
      
      Katherine Fry, Jo Harrison, Kalissa Alexeyeff – bring back memories? Still my favourite of our hikes.
      
      24/03/2022, 05:20
      
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    3. Lorelle Baylee
      
      Kyls This was our exact route the other week ?¸
      
      24/03/2022, 05:20
      
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Marija Marija

Thanks Joe, will check it out ?

16/02/2022, 11:57

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Acknowledgement of Country

Lerderderg circuit walk - link tracks 1 & 2 (8. 2km) 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:

April 8, 2025

Hike at a glance

Route details

About this trail

Hike summary

Trail notes

MacKenzies Flat Picnic Area

Trail difficulty

Grade 4 (Hard)

Planning information

Trail tips

Walk features

Map and GPX file

Safety and preparation

Think safety first

Let someone know

Free checklists

Getting there and where to stay

Access conditions

Accommodation nearby

Explore the region

About the region

Explore nearby hikes

Lerderderg Gorge Walk to Grahams Dam (3.5km)

The Scenic Rim: River & Link 2 Hike (16.7km)

The Scenic Rim: River & Link 1 Hike (16km)

The Scenic Rim Circuit Hike (16.1km)

Photo gallery

Weather on the trail

Trail Reviews

10 Reviews on “Lerderderg Circuit Walk - Link Tracks 1 & 2 (8.2km)”

Leave a Review. Cancel reply

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Acknowledgement of Country

Curated by: Darren Edwards | Trail Hiking Australia

Last modified:

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