Mount Stirling Summit Loop is a 12km, grade 3 hike located in the Alpine National Park, Victoria. The hike should take around 5 hrs to complete.
Hike overview
Commencing near Telephone Box Junction at Mount Stirling, and complete a large loop of the resort. You visit iconic huts and stops along the way such as the Bluff Spur Hut, GGS Hut and the Cricket Pitch before looping back to Telephone Box Junction.
From Telephone Box Junction, walk along the upper right section of the Circuit Road, turning left into Baldy Loop then right up Bluff Spur Trail to Bluff Spur Hut. From the Hut continue through the intersection of the trail keeping South Summit trail to your right, and West Summit Road to your left. At the Howqua Gap track turn left along the unsealed road past the Stirling Summit.
As an optional side trip, take the short, steep walk to the 1749m summit, and return the way you came. At the Clear Hills track intersection turn left through the gate to GGS Hut, joining the Stirling Trail. Before the Cricket Pitch turn left onto Weather Station Ramble, then continue on Upper Baldy Trail past the Machinery Shed.
At the intersection of Upper Baldy Trail and Baldy Loop, continue on Upper Baldy Trail. After the Practice Slope turn left at the Circuit Road intersection. Return to Telephone Box Junction.
Route and GPX file
Max elevation: 1727 m
Min elevation: 1259 m
Total climbing: 666 m
Total descent: -665 m
Tips
Please note this track is subject to seasonal closures. When covered with snow, snowshoes must be worn. As a general guide, walking/hiking is encouraged from October to May inclusive and snowshoeing from June to September inclusive. For more information regarding access, snowshoe etiquette and the most up-to-date information to help you plan your trip, please contact the Mansfield Visitor Information Centre on 03 5775 7000.
Mount Stirling has a number of locations for enjoying the Australian alpine wilderness by staying overnight during a bushwalk. Please read the tips below to ensure you have a fantastic camping experience and leave the alps in pristine condition for all to enjoy.
- Camp amongst the snow gums rather than in the lower Mountain Ash areas - Mountain Ash are prone to falling unpredictably.
- Be prepared for all weather conditions. The weather can change suddenly and without warning in alpine areas.
- Be sure to take a map and compass and learn to use them before you head off.
- Tell someone where you are going or complete a trip intention form.
- Use the toilets provided, or ensure you dig deep holes 100 metres from waterways in order to protect the health of both animals and humans.
- Take note of fire safety and evacuation locations. DO NOT light fires on fire ban days- if you are not sure, then don't light it!
- Be sure you haven't disturbed any precious flora or fauna on your hike.
- Use the rubbish bins provided or carry your litter away with you.
References
Trail location
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Getting there
From Mansfield, travel along Mount Buller Road for approximately 30km until you reach the toll gate at Mirimbah (you will need to pay an entry fee during winter). Once you’ve passed through the gates, turn left into Stirling Road and keep going until you reach Telephone Box Junction (TBJ). Between Mirimbah and TBJ is approximately 8km of unsealed road.
During winter, vehicles are not permitted to go any further than TBJ, and all 2-wheel drives must carry chains when travelling to this point.
Gallery
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About the region
Stirling is the only Victorian alpine resort with a largely undeveloped and unspoilt true alpine summit, offering a readily accessible 'semi-wilderness' experience for visitors. This fact, combined with the resort's wealth and diversity of environmental characteristics and its close proximity to Melbourne (230 km), makes Mount Stirling unique in the Australian Alps.
The summit at Mount Stirling is located at 1749 metres and offers a 360 degree panoramic view of surrounding mountain ranges. The breathtaking high country landscape features sub-alpine Alpine Ash forests, Snow Gum woodlands and wide expanses of alpine meadows that are simply stunning during summer and winter.
The Alpine National Park is a national park located in the Central Highlands and Alpine regions of Victoria, Australia. The 646,000-hectare national park is located northeast of Melbourne. It is the largest National Park in Victoria, and covers much of the higher areas of the Great Dividing Range in Victoria, including Victoria's highest point, Mount Bogong at 1,986 metres and the associated subalpine woodland and grassland of the Bogong High Plains. The park's north-eastern boundary is along the border with New South Wales, where it abuts the Kosciuszko National Park.
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Gear to consider

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Let someone know
Let someone know where you’re going and when you plan to return. Fill in an online trip intentions form to privately send important details about your adventure to your emergency contact. They can then inform emergency services if you don’t return on time.
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.