Hike at a glance
Hike length
Average duration
Trail Difficulty
Hike Type
Technical details
Max elevation: 675m
Min elevation: 221m
Total Ascent: 272m
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.
Trail details
Hike summary
Track difficulty
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 essentials
Map and GPX file
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, and it only takes two minutes..
Planning something more serious? The comprehensive trip intentions form is designed for remote, overnight, and off-track trips where your emergency contact needs more detail. Register your advanced plans 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
Need a rental car to get you to the hike? Find one here →
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.
Or browse accommodation in nearby towns: Belgrave, Emerald, Healesville, Lilydale, Marysville, Monbulk, Montrose, Mount Dandenong, Olinda, Warburton
Discover more
About the region
Explore nearby hikes
Photo gallery
Do you have any photos from this hike?
Your photos can help others plan. Share shots from along the trail so fellow hikers know what to expect.
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Weather on the trail
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
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.
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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.
3 Reviews on “Morley Walking Track (9.4km)”
A solid forest walk through classic mountain ash country with a mix of gentle trail and some steep sections to keep you honest.
Do this walk in the direction advised. No uphill climb at all
Avoid stopping at the River as Melb Water will fine you
Josh
Susan Hackett
Oliver Bonaccorso
track is so overgrown with ferns and blackberry bushes, we had to turn back 3-4kms from Fernshaw because it was so thick the track disappeared so you couldn’t see if there were snakes around and risked getting (even more) sliced up by blackberry thorns. Only recommend this track with long pants and a machete.
Bushwalking Victoria worked with Parks Vic to clear this track May 2025. There is still about 1km to clear at the base of the climb but it has been well taped so you can follow it.
They do such amazing work. Very grateful.
Shannon Maes
Most of this track was destroyed in 2009 fires. Was closed for years, so now it is MUCH tougher than a grade 3 hike! DId this on the weekend, 8 hours – 22km in and back from Dom Dom Picnic Ground (very poorly maintained no water, loos are shocking,) to Fernshaw. This trail is very steep up and down, trail is hardly visible but for tree markers in parts, lots of big trees to get over and slippery as hell. Good luck!