Hike at a Glance

Quick overview: Explore the stunning beauty of the Baw Baw National Park on the 8km return hike to the summit of Mount St Gwinear, starting and ending at its car park. Located near Rawson, Victoria, a short 195km from Melbourne, this Grade 4 trail takes you through captivating heathland and snow gum forest, leading to breathtaking views across the Thomson and Aberfeldy River valleys into the Victorian Alps. Don't miss the natural granite rock shelter at Gwinear Flat, a perfect spot for a mid-hike break.

Length:

8km

Duration:

4 hrs

Grade:

Style:

Return

Max elevation: 1500m

Min elevation: 1290m

Total Ascent: 320m

Start: Mount St Gwinear car park

End: Mount St Gwinear car park

Baw Baw National Park

Victoria

Nearby town: Rawson

From state capital: 195km

Latitude: -37.840344

Longitude: 146.331812

Overview

Map

Gallery

Weather

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3,431 views

Hike overview

The hike to the summit of Mount St Gwinear in the Baw Baw National Park winds through heathland and snow gum forest from the Mount St Gwinear car park to the 1509m summit. The magnificent views, stretching across the valleys of the Thomson and Aberfeldy Rivers and into the Victorian Alps, are a perfect reward. This hike extends 1km beyond the summit, through Gwinear Flat to a natural granite rock shelter at the junction of the Australian Alpine Walking Trail. This is a great spot to relax for lunch before returning via the same route.

Snow camping

Dispersed camping is permitted on the Baw Baw Plateau except in the Reference Area Zone and within 20 metres of streams and alpine bogs.

Tips

Parks facilities
Heated shelter room
Toilets with disabled facilities
Two toboggan runs
12km of cross country trails
Professional ski patrol
Hot and cold drinks and snacks are available on weekends and school holidays from a food van.
No charge to enter the park
No charge for car parking

Trail features

Gallery

Mount St Gwinear Hike (8km)

Walk map and GPX file

Mount St Gwinear Hike (8km)

Total distance: 7924 m
Max elevation: 1500 m
Min elevation: 1290 m
Total climbing: 320 m
Total descent: -327 m

Getting there

Getting to the trailhead: Baw Baw National Park.

Mount St Gwinear is located on Mount St Gwinear Road in the Baw Baw National Park in West Gippsland. The carpark is signposted from the Thomson Valley Road, north of Erica. It is easily accessible from the Latrobe Valley, only 45 minutes from Moe or Traralgon.

Get there with Google Maps

Closest towns to this walk: Drouin, Erica, Mount Baw Baw, Neerim South, Noojee, Rawson, Tanjil Bren, Tanjil South, Thorpdale, Tyers, Walhalla, Warragul, Willow Grove, Yarragon

About the region

Mount St Gwinear is a mountain in Victoria, Australia, located at the north-east end of the Baw Baw National Park in the Gippsland high country. It is popular with families looking for a cheap and accessible snow-play/tobogganing destination and cross-country skiers. The Baw Baw Plateau provides an abundance of easy touring terrain. Mount Baw Baw downhill ski village is approximately 9 km away across the Baw Baw plateau to the south-west and trails link the resorts.

Mount St Gwinear is a family friendly snow attraction with free entry which offers toboggan runs, cross country trails, a snowplay area and a heated shelter room. Hot and cold drinks and snacks are available from a food van on weekends and school holidays.

Similar walks nearby

Looking for more walks in or near Baw Baw National Park? Try these trails with a similar difficulty grade.

Track grade

Grade 4 (Hard) - Challenging Walks for Experienced Walkers: Grade 4 on the AWTGS signifies challenging walking tracks. Bushwalking experience is recommended for these tracks, which may be long, rough, and very steep. Directional signage may be limited, requiring a good sense of navigation. These walks are suited for experienced walkers who are comfortable with steeper inclines, rougher terrain, and potentially longer distances.

Explore safe

Plan ahead and hike safely! Carry enough water, pack layers for changing conditions, and bring safety gear like a torch, PLB, and reliable communication device. Check official sources for trail updates, closures, and access requirements, and review local weather and bushfire advice. Most importantly, share your plans with someone before you go. Being prepared makes for a safer and more enjoyable hike! Stay Safe, Explore More, and Always #ExploreSafe.

Packing checklists

What you carry in your pack depends on factors like weather, terrain, and your adventure type. Not sure what to bring? My free planning, food, and packing checklists are a great starting point, covering day hikes, overnight trips, and multi-day adventures. Use them to customise your kit and always prioritise safety.

Let someone know

Before heading out, take a moment to fill out your trip intentions form. It’s a quick way to share your hike details with family or friends. If something goes wrong, they can notify emergency services, ensuring a faster response and peace of mind. Stay safe and enjoy your adventure

Reviews

Mount St Gwinear Hike (8km)

10 Reviews on “Mount St Gwinear Hike (8km)”

Overall rating

Grant Hollingworth

This is a great fantastic hike. Especially in winter.

10/03/2022, 00:30

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Spotted a change on this trail? Maybe there are new features, the route has shifted, or the trail is permanently closed. Whatever the update, I’d love your input. Your feedback helps fellow hikers stay informed and ensures that our trail info stays fresh and reliable.

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.

Curated by: Darren Edwards | Trail Hiking Australia

Last modified:

February 25, 2025

Hike at a Glance