Mount Difficult Range - Briggs Bluff Hike (20km)

Mount Difficult Range – Briggs Bluff is a 20 km, Grade 5 hike in Grampians National Park (Gariwerd), offering a demanding traverse through one of Victoria’s most rugged and least forgiving landscapes. Allow around nine hours, though conditions and navigation challenges can extend this significantly.

The hike begins opposite Plantation Campground and immediately commits you to a steep, sustained and difficult ascent onto the Mount Difficult Range. There is no reliable track from Plantation Campground to the plateau. The first 3 km is the crux of the route. Despite the short distance, this section is slow, overgrown, and indistinct. Expect scrub, faint pads, and long sections where the track does not exist. Progress is measured, not paced. Strong navigation and route-finding skills are essential.

Once on the plateau, the character of the walk shifts. The route joins the Grampians Peaks Trail and heads north along the escarpment, following the spine of the range toward Briggs Bluff. Here, the terrain opens into classic Gariwerd sandstone country, with expansive views, exposed sections, and a constant sense of elevation. The walking is more defined, but still demands attention, particularly in poor weather or low visibility.

Briggs Bluff marks the high point of the hike, both physically and visually. The cliffs drop away dramatically, revealing sweeping views across the northern Grampians and surrounding plains. It is a natural pause point, but conditions on the escarpment can change quickly, with wind exposure a constant factor.

The descent from Briggs Bluff is more forgiving underfoot but still requires care. The track drops toward Beehive Falls before transitioning onto a more established walking track that leads back to Roses Gap Road. While navigation becomes more straightforward, fatigue and accumulated strain from the earlier climb can affect footing and decision-making.

For those seeking to extend the challenge, a side trip to the summit of Mount Difficult adds approximately 4 km. This detour provides additional elevation, exposure, and perspective across the range, but should only be attempted if time, weather, and energy reserves allow.

This is not a casual hike. It is a committing hike where early decisions, pacing, and navigation directly influence outcome. Done well, it offers one of the most rewarding and immersive ridge traverses in the Grampians.

This is a one-way hike finishing at Beehive Falls Carpark. Return transport to Plantation Campground must be arranged in advance, as there is no practical on-foot return via the same route.