Grade 1

Mount McDonald Summit Track (4.3km)

Cotter Recreation Area

Australian Capital Territory

4km

2 hrs

Grade 3

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Hike at a Glance

Quick overview: Experience the 4km Mount McDonald Summit Walk in the scenic Cotter Recreation Area, just a short 26km hop from Canberra, the nearest capital city. Starting and ending at the Cotter Catchment Carpark, this Grade 3 trail near Stromlo town promises a moderate challenge with rewarding 360-degree views of the Murrumbidgee River and Brindabella Range. Perfect for seasoned bushwalkers, the trail features a lookout point and a gravel fire trail along the ascent, ensuring a unique and enjoyable hiking experience.

Max elevation: 779m

Min elevation: 594m

Total Ascent: 224m

Hike overview


Track grade


Grade 3 (Moderate) - Walks for Most Fitness Levels: Grade 3 on the AWTGS represents moderate walking tracks. These are ideal for walkers with some fitness who are comfortable with some hills and uneven terrain. While suitable for most ages, some bushwalking experience is recommended to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Tracks may have short, steep hill sections, a rough surface, and many steps. The total distance of a Grade 3 walk can be up to 20 kilometers.

Walk map and GPX file

Mount McDonald Summit Track (4.3km)


Explore safely


Planning this hike? Most incidents develop before you even start. Safe outcomes depend on how navigation, hydration, environment, load and judgement work together. Small oversights can compound quickly in Australian conditions. See how it happens in the Hiking Safety Systems Foundations. Then use the Hiking Safety Systems, planning calculators, and make sure a trusted contact has your trip plan before heading out.

Leave a trip plan


Register your plans

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.

Planning 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


Getting to the trailhead: Cotter Recreation Area.

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

Get there with Google Maps

Accommodation nearby


Find accommodation close to the trailhead including hotels, cabins, and campgrounds. Use the interactive map to explore available options in nearby towns.

Nearby towns: Cotter, Hall, Kambah, Narrabundah, Paddys River, Stromlo, Tharwa, Tuggeranong, Uriarra Village, Weston Creek, Woden

About the region


Similar walks nearby


Looking for more walks in or near Cotter Recreation Area? Try these trails with a similar difficulty grade.

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Mount McDonald Summit Track (4.3km)


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Acknowledgement of Country

Mount mcdonald summit track (4. 3km) 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.

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