Hike at a glance

9,330

Quick overview: Venture into Victoria's rugged terrain with the Little River Gorge Walk, a moderate 800m return hike nestled in Snowy River National Park, near the town of Buchan. This 30-minute journey, starting and ending at the Little River Gorge Carpark, offers striking views of Victoria's deepest gorge and East Gippsland’s raw beauty. Be prepared for a steep ascent and always remember to hike responsibly.

Hike length

800m

Average duration

30 mins

Trail Difficulty

Grade 3 (Moderate)

Hike Type

Return

Technical details

Max elevation: 855m
Min elevation: 795m
Total Ascent: 59m

Start: Little River Gorge Carpark

End: Little River Gorge Carpark

Location: Snowy River National Park

State: Victoria

Nearest town: Buchan

State capital distance: 421km

Latitude: -37.07932938926402

Longitude: 148.3239805698395

Hike details

Difficulty

Planning

Safety

Getting there

The region

Nearby hikes

Weather

Trail details

It's important to note that while much of the Little River Gorge Walk is graded as Grade 2 (Easy), the track is given a Grade 3 (Moderate) rating overall due to its steep sections, as per the Australian Walking Track Grading System. These steeper parts require a bit more effort, but the rewards are well worth it, with spectacular views waiting at the lookout.

Hike summary

The Little River Gorge Walk is a rewarding yet challenging short hike, set within the stunning Snowy River National Park in Victoria. At 800 metres in length, this Grade 3 trail is steep in parts, making it a good choice for those seeking a bit of adventure. Typically taking around 30 minutes to complete, the walk leads you to one of the most impressive viewpoints in the region.

From the start, the track descends to the lookout, guiding you to a stunning vantage point over the Little River Gorge. Carved into the landscape over thousands of years, the gorge is a remarkable feature of the park, its deep ravine formed as the river carved its way through volcanic rock. As you make your way along the path, you'll be treated to awe-inspiring views of this natural wonder, with one of the ridgelines towering 600 metres high, making it Victoria’s deepest gorge.

What makes the Little River Gorge truly special is not just its depth, but the beauty of the surrounding landscape. The cliff-top views are dramatic and expansive, offering a unique perspective of East Gippsland’s rugged terrain. As the walk return back, the views remain just as impressive, making the return journey as memorable as the initial descent. This is a hidden gem of the region, a perfect destination for those looking to experience the raw beauty of Victoria's natural world.

Additional Information:

Little River Gorge

Little River is a substantial waterway within the Snowy River catchment, situated in the alpine region of Victoria. It is one of two rivers bearing this name that feed into the Snowy River, the other being located in Kosciuszko National Park. Originating below Mount Stradbroke in a remote alpine wilderness within the Alpine National Park, the Little River flows generally southeast before re-entering the Alpine National Park and traversing the Snowy River National Park. Eventually, it merges with the Snowy River west of the Sugarloaf. Over its 27-kilometre course, the river descends 842 metres, carving a dramatic path through the landscape.

Little River is more than just a name; it is a geological force that has sculpted a profound gorge through the surrounding volcanic rock over millennia. At 600 metres deep, this gorge is Victoria's most substantial and remains a hidden gem of East Gippsland. While the river's upper reaches are contained within remote wilderness, the lower sections are more accessible. Parks Victoria has established facilities, including walking tracks and viewing platforms, allowing visitors to appreciate the gorge's grandeur without undertaking strenuous hikes.

The traditional custodians of the land encompassing the Little River are the Bidawal and Nindi-Ngudjam Ngarigu Monero peoples.

Track difficulty

Grade 3 (moderate) badge

Grade 3 (Moderate)

Uneven terrain and steady climbs
These walks require a reasonable level of fitness and confidence on rough ground. Expect hills, rough surfaces, and sections with steps or short, steeper climbs.

While not technically difficult, these tracks are no longer "easy" and can feel demanding over distance, especially in heat or with a pack. Some bushwalking experience is recommended, particularly for managing footing and pacing. Distances can extend up to 20km.

Worth knowing: Many hikers underestimate Grade 3 when conditions change or fatigue sets in.

Planning essentials

Map and GPX file

Little River Gorge Walk (800m)

Total distance: 696 m
Max elevation: 855 m
Min elevation: 795 m
Total climbing: 59 m
Total descent: -59 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

Planning this hike?

Small oversights can compound quickly in Australian conditions. See how it happens in the Interactive Safety Scenarios. Then refer to the Hiking Safety Systems, planning calculators, and make sure a trusted contact has your trip plan before heading 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.

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

Snowy River National Park

To reach the Little River Gorge trailhead, drive approximately 67 kilometres north of Buchan. Follow Gelantipy Road out of Buchan and continue onto McKillops Road. The turn-off to the trailhead is clearly signposted.

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.

Find Accommodation

Or browse accommodation in nearby towns: Bendoc, Bonang, Buchan, Delegate, Ensay, Goongerah, Marlo, Orbost, Tubbut, Tubbutt

Discover more

About the region

Snowy River National Park, located 390 kilometres east of Melbourne in Victoria, is renowned for its dramatic river landscapes, deep gorges, and diverse forests. Covering 98,700 hectares, the park safeguards one of Victoria’s largest forested areas. The park’s northern region is dominated by the Bowen Range and Gelantipy Plateau, while the rugged waterways of Mountain Creek and Rodger River flow southward into the Snowy River.

Established in 1992, the park encompasses two significant wilderness areas: Bowen and Snowy River. These protected regions offer exceptional conservation value and opportunities for solitary exploration. Visitors can engage in a range of self-reliant outdoor activities, although vehicular access to wilderness areas is restricted.

The park provides diverse experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. McKillops Bridge offers one of the few road access points to the Snowy River, where visitors can enjoy swimming in the river's clear pools or enjoy exciting canoeing or rafting adventures through rugged gorges and rapids. For those seeking a different kind of challenge, the 18-kilometre Silver Mine Walking Track and the shorter Snowy River Trail commence at McKillops Bridge.

Little River Gorge, Victoria’s deepest gorge, is a short drive from McKillops Bridge. A walking track leads to a lookout offering breathtaking views of the gorge. While the road to McKillops Bridge is not suitable for larger vehicles, visitors can explore the area by car under favourable conditions. The Yalmy Road winds through magnificent forests to Waratah Flat, providing opportunities for walks and hikes.

Raymond Falls, a stunning 20-metre waterfall, is accessible year-round from Orbost via Moresford Track. The park also features the 43-kilometre Deddick Trail, a four-wheel-drive route traversing the park's heart. Several camping grounds with varying amenities are available throughout the park.

Snowy River National Park is rich in natural and cultural heritage. Evidence of Aboriginal occupation has been found, suggesting that the Kruatungulung people of the Kurnai nation once thrived in the area. European settlement began in the 1840s with cattle grazing and mining activities. Despite early proposals, the park was not officially protected until 1979.

The park boasts exceptional biodiversity, with over 900 native plant species across 20 vegetation communities. Many of these species are rare or threatened. Wildlife enthusiasts may encounter superb lyrebirds along the Raymond Falls track, while azure kingfishers and even platypus can be spotted at the base of the falls.

Want to find the best trails in Snowy River National Park for an adventurous hike, casual walk, or a family trip? Trail Hiking Australia has the best trails for walking, hiking, running and more.

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Weather on the trail

Snowy River 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

10 Reviews on “Little River Gorge Walk (800m)”

Overall rating

Leona Xu

Erryn Stephensaddd it to your list?

22/01/2025, 00:22

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Peter Jolly

Not grade 3 though and the path is in great condition.

21/01/2025, 18:26

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1. Trail Hiking Australia
  
  Peter Jolly land managers have graded this 2-3. As it has some steep sections the grade it carries relates to the most challenging aspect (grade 3) according to the AWTGS.
  
  22/01/2025, 00:18
  
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  1. Peter Jolly
    
    I think the most i recorded on that was 12 degrees, but i think it was where one of the water cuts had been made like they do on dirt tracks. You could walk down it in thongs to be honest.
    But then, who am I to rate them, I crawled up a 50 degree un tracked spur on the weekend rather than use a track that was 500mtrs further along.
    
    22/01/2025, 08:25
    
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  2. Trail Hiking Australia
    
    Peter Jolly the grades can be subjective and who really knows if they visited the track before grading it. I try to follow land managers grading where they exist and include notes, like the one on the hike that says it’s predominantly grade 2. It’s really not a lot of elevation change so I don’t disagree with you.
    
    22/01/2025, 09:41
    
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2. Darren Edwards Trail Author
  
  Thanks Peter. Land managers have graded this 2-3. As it has some steep sections the grade it carries relates to the most challenging aspect (grade 3) according to the AWTGS. Gradings like this can sometimes be misleading so I’ve included a note at the start of the walk to address this.
  
  22/01/2025, 15:32
  
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James Lukassen

Nice little walk and a beautiful lookout 👌

21/01/2025, 10:36

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1. Trail Hiking Australia
  
  James Lukassen totally agree.
  
  21/01/2025, 10:39
  
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Trail Hiking Australia

This is a very cool gorge. Well worth the visit if you are in the area as its a long drive for such a short walk otherwise.

21/01/2025, 08:36

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Acknowledgement of Country

Little river gorge walk (800m) 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

Technical details

Trail details

Hike summary

Little River Gorge

Track difficulty

Grade 3 (Moderate)

Planning essentials

Map and GPX file

Safety and preparation

Planning this hike?

Let someone know

Free checklists

Getting there

Accommodation nearby

Discover more

About the region

Explore nearby hikes

Silver Mine Walk (16.5km)

Mount Stradbroke Track (11km)

Tulloch Ard Lookout Walk (3.2km)

Mount Cobberas Circuit Hike (15.1km)

Photo gallery

Weather on the trail

Trail Reviews

10 Reviews on “Little River Gorge Walk (800m)”

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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