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Mount Difficult Plateau Circuit is a 24km, grade 4 circuit hike located in Grampians National Park, Victoria. The hike should take around 1-2 days to complete.

Length: 24km

Duration: 8 hrs

Grade 4 (Hard)

Style: Circuit

Start: Troopers Creek Campground

End: Troopers Creek Campground

Location: Grampians National Park

State: Victoria

Nearby town: Halls Gap

From state capital: 272km

Latitude: -36.98674494963787

Longitude: 142.43063895725484

Overview

Map and GPX file

Directions

Photos

Reviews

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Hike overview

Mount Difficult Plateau Circuit (24km)

The Mount Difficult (Gar) Plateau Circuit is a challenging but rewarding 24km hike located in Grampians National Park, Victoria. Taking 1-2 days to complete, this circuit traverses the Mount Difficult Plateau and leads you to the summit of Mount Difficult (Gar) and the breathtaking northern viewpoint of Briggs Bluff.

The adventure begins at Troopers Creek Campground. You'll follow the scenic Gar Waterfalls Walk as it gradually ascends the escarpment towards Briggs Bluff. Prepare for a long and steep climb that winds its way past several waterfalls.

Reaching the escarpment, an approximate 2km return walk takes you across the rocky plateau to Briggs Bluff. Here, the awe-inspiring north-east facing cliffs rise 400 meters, offering a vertigo-inducing view down over the Wimmera Plains. But the true highlight is the view back along the Mount Difficult Range towards Halls Gap, with the Mount Stapylton Complex adding to the panoramic grandeur.

Returning to the previous junction, head east towards Mud Creek Bush Camp to begin the circuit section. The path continues along the Grampians Peaks Trail towards Gar Hike-in Campground and ultimately, Mount Difficult. The summit rewards you with some of the most spectacular views in northern Gariwerd.

After basking in the panorama, the circuit ventures east via Longpoint West and Longpoint East before turning north towards Briggs Bluff to complete the loop. To return to the trailhead, simply follow the Gar Waterfalls Walk back down to Troopers Creek Campground.

If you plan on making this an overnight walk, Longpoint West Hike-in Camping Area is a good choice at approximately 12.5km from the trailhead.

Troopers Creek Campground - Trailhead

Set amongst tall Eucalypts and heathy shrubland, Troopers Creek Campground offers spectacular views of the Mt Difficult escarpment.

The campground features shared fireplaces with BBQ hotplates and picnic tables throughout. Make sure you bring your own firewood as firewood collection is prohibited in the national park. There are pit toilet facilities and there are two large group camping areas suitable for up to 16 people. All sites must be booked online in advance.

Troopers creek is just down the road from the Beehive Falls trailhead where trails to Briggs Bluff, Gar / Mount Difficult and Beehive Falls are all accessible, and is also next to the trailhead for section two of the Grampians Peaks Trail.

Campfires

Please use fuel stoves only in all hiker campsites areas.
During Summer and Autumn Total Fire Bans are common; this means no fires are to be lit including portable cooking appliances.
Always check for Total Fire Bans and fire conditions prior to your walk and carry a small radio or mobile phone.
Being aware of a Total Fire Ban is your responsibility.

Map and GPX file

Mount Difficult Plateau Circuit (24km)

Total distance: 24260 m
Max elevation: 786 m
Min elevation: 264 m
Total climbing: 1232 m
Total descent: -1232 m

Download file: Mount-Difficult-Plateau-Circuit.gpx

Trail Location (trailhead)

Getting there

Mount Difficult Plateau Circuit (24km)

Troopers Creek Campground is in the northern Grampians off Roses Gap Road. Follow the road west from Roses Gap for 3.5kms and find the campground on your left.

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Access conditions

2WD Access
Bitumen Road
Small Car Park

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About the region

Renowned for rugged mountain ranges, rich cultural heritage and breathtaking scenic views, the 168,000 hectare park is ideal for a wide range of outdoor activities. The many walking tracks will take you on a journey to waterfall vistas, ancient geological rock features and forests. There are guided tours, and with a large network of roads available, car touring is a great way to explore. Renowned as the major attraction in the region, the Grampians National Park is a must-visit destination for all travellers, backpackers and day-trippers in Victoria.

The spectacular setting of the mountainous landscape boasts a wide array of attractions and activities for visitors to the region. The Grampians National Park (also Gariwerd), commonly referred to as The Grampians, is a national park located in the Grampians region of Victoria, Australia. The 167,219-hectare (413,210-acre) national park is situated between Stawell and Horsham on the Western Highway and Dunkeld on the Glenelg Highway, 260 kilometres west of Melbourne and 460 kilometres east of Adelaide.

Similar trails nearby

Hike Categories: 016-25km Circuit Full Day Grade 4 (Hard) Grampians National Park Victoria

Explore Safe

While planning your hike, it’s important to check official government sources for updated information, temporary closures and trail access requirements. Before hitting the trail, check local weather and bushfire advice for planned burns and bushfire warnings and let someone know before you go. Plan ahead and hike safely.

Let someone know

Adventure with peace of mind: Fill out your trip intentions form. Before you hit the trail, fill out an online form to privately send important details about your hike to your family or friends. If you don’t return on time, they can easily alert emergency services, preventing worry and ensuring a swift response. Hike with peace of mind and enjoy your outdoor adventure to the fullest. Be smart, be safe: Register your plans here.

Gear to consider

What you carry in your pack will depend on the weather, terrain, time of year, type of adventure, and personal preferences. Having trouble deciding what gear’s right for you? My free planning, food and packing checklists provide an introduction to things your could consider (as well as the Ten Essentials) on your day, overnight and multi-day adventures. Customise your kit according to your personal needs, always considering safety first.

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Reviews

Mount Difficult Plateau Circuit (24km)

3 Reviews on “Mount Difficult Plateau Circuit (24km)”

Overall rating

Janice Lindsey

Has this been reopened?

24/03/2022, 05:17

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1. Danielle Brown
  
  Here you go Irene!
  
  24/03/2022, 05:17
  
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  1. Tammy Schoo
    
    Hi guys the walking track is now closed from troopers creek campground (which is also closed) due to fire damage. You have to start the walk at beehive falls trailhead. Check http://www.parks.vic.gov.au for updated track notes.
    
    24/03/2022, 05:17
    
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    1. Maddy Louise
      
      Jenna Louise…I’ll meet you at the top
      
      24/03/2022, 05:17
      
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    2. Cosmo Polanski
      
      Kylie Zelley have you done this one?
      
      24/03/2022, 05:17
      
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    3. Andrew Howie
      
      Lauren Christian …
      
      24/03/2022, 05:17
      
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  2. Toby V
    
    Instead of looping back, you can also hike from briggs bluff down to beehive falls carpark and back to troopers via roses gap rd , about 6km, but its all uphill.
    
    24/03/2022, 05:17
    
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    1. Anna Duca
      
      Nooo! We didnt do this one, drove past it to other hikes we did up there. Have you done it??
      
      24/03/2022, 05:17
      
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      1. Bree Bonaccorso
        
        Oliver Bonaccorso
        
        24/03/2022, 05:17
        
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2. Dean Herman
  
  I went to do this hike in 7/2020 but the starting point is closed and not accessible (theres a wooden sign on the side of the road oppositie where the access point used to be). It looked as though the original camp site was planted over. This also closes access to Talwinda Falls. Troopers Ck Camp Ground is about 5km further north and the trail up to the eacarpment is still in place but currently closed due to Grampians Peak Trail work. I found the trail and followed it briefly but turned around at the fences.
  
  24/03/2022, 05:17
  
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  1. Daniel Fillery
    
    Mount easy ?
    
    24/03/2022, 05:17
    
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  2. Trail Hiking Australia
    
    No. Unfortunately it is permanently closed from Troopers Creek. You have to access Mt Difficult from the north. Guess they ran out of funding. http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/621246/Grampians-National-Park-Update.pdf
    
    24/03/2022, 05:17
    
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Frank Davis

7hr circuit, unless we get lost and go rock climbing instead Vicy ?

24/03/2022, 05:17

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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.

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Hike overview

Mount Difficult Plateau Circuit (24km)