Hike at a Glance

Quick overview: Experience the natural beauty of Victoria's Alpine National Park through the Mt Bogong Circuit, a challenging, 63km journey that starts and ends at the Falls Creek Carpark. This circuit, just a stone's throw from Mt Beauty and just under 400km from Melbourne, offers grade 4 bushwalking amidst stunning alpine landscapes. Over 4-5 days, you'll traverse undulating plains, cross rivers, hike up Victoria's highest peak, and visit iconic High Country huts. Be prepared for steep climbs, river crossings, and remember to pack your swimmers for a dip at Howmans Falls!

Length:

63km

Duration:

4-5 days

Grade:

Style:

Circuit

Max elevation: 1985m

Min elevation: 1033m

Total Ascent: 3206m

Start: Falls Creek Carpark

End: Falls Creek Carpark

Alpine National Park

Victoria

Nearby town: Mt Beauty

From state capital: 390km

Latitude: -36.86326375240204

Longitude: 147.28197187185287

Overview

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Hike overview

The Mt Bogong Circuit begins at Falls Creek, where there is ample parking outside the ski season. This 63 km, grade 4 hike in Victoria's Alpine National Park typically takes 4–5 days to complete.

Stage 1 (25 km): Falls Creek to Bogong Creek Saddle

Start by crossing the Rocky Valley Dam wall, then follow the Heathy Spur Track to the Big River Firetrail. The route leads across an undulating, treeless plain, offering easy walking towards Timms Spur. For a stunning view of Mt Bogong, take a short detour up to the ridgeline. After rejoining the Big River Firetrail, the track steadily descends to Big River. After crossing the river, a short but steep climb (about 1 km) brings you to Bogong Creek Saddle. This is a good spot to camp, with a flat, open area and a nearby water source.

Stage 2 (12 km): Bogong Creek Saddle to Cleve Cole Hut (via Mt Bogong)

Retrace your steps down the Big River Firetrail for about 500 metres, then take the Quartz Ridge track. This track climbs gradually and eventually rises above the treeline, rewarding you with panoramic views. The summit of Mt Bogong, the highest point in Victoria, comes into sight. After reaching the top and taking in the views, continue towards Camp Valley and set up camp near Cleve Cole Hut, one of the most iconic huts in the High Country.

Stage 3 (12 km): Cleve Cole Hut to Ropers Hut

Head south from Cleve Cole Hut, taking a side trip to Howmans Falls if the weather is warm—it's a great spot for a dip. Returning to the main trail, the track follows the Australian Alps Walking Track (AAWT) and descends sharply to Big River. A chain across the river helps with the crossing, making it a good place for a lunch break. After crossing, the track climbs steeply to Ropers Hut, where there's plenty of space for camping.

Stage 4 (15 km): Ropers Hut to Falls Creek

Continue south along the AAWT, eventually rejoining the Big River Firetrail above the treeline. The final stretch leads back to Falls Creek, where a well-earned coffee (or alternate beverage) awaits.

Alternative Route Option

An alternative route for this circuit starts from the north at Mountain Creek Campsite, ascending via the Staircase and returning along Eskdale Spur. This avoids crossing the plains to Falls Creek but adds a third climb compared to starting from the south, where you gain elevation by driving to Falls Creek.

Tips

Bring walking poles if you have sensitive knees, as the descents can be tough on joints.
Use a water bladder for easy access to hydration, as water sources are about 300–500 metres from the recommended campsites.
Pack plenty of sunscreen, as much of the hike is exposed and lacks tree cover.
Avoid attempting this hike in winter unless you are highly experienced and equipped with appropriate winter gear.

Gallery

Mount Bogong Circuit from Falls Creek Hike (63km)

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Walk map and GPX file

Mount Bogong Circuit from Falls Creek Hike (63km)

Total distance: 64969 m
Max elevation: 1985 m
Min elevation: 1033 m
Total climbing: 3206 m
Total descent: -3203 m

Getting there

Getting to the trailhead: Alpine National Park.

The hike begins at the Falls Creek car park. From Melbourne, take the Hume Freeway and exit at Wangaratta, then follow the signs to Falls Creek. The drive offers scenic views as you wind your way up to the Alpine National Park.

Get there with Google Maps

Closest towns to this walk: Benalla, Bright, Dinner Plain, Falls Creek, Harrietville, Hotham Heights, Mansfield, Mitta Mitta, Mount Beauty, Mount Hotham, Myrtleford, Omeo, Porepunkah, Tawonga South, Wangaratta

About the region

The Alpine National Park is a national park 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.

Similar walks nearby

Looking for more walks in or near Alpine 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 Bogong Circuit from Falls Creek Hike (63km)

2 Reviews on “Mount Bogong Circuit from Falls Creek Hike (63km)”

Overall rating

Benjamin Rizio

12/04/2025, 19:28

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Tim Ceplecha

Great views but a few issues with the pacing and track itself that would make this extremely difficult in wet/icy conditions.

The first issue is the super long first day, it’s 25km+ (I recorded around 28km with a minor diversion). That is a massive first day with a full pack, and involved a river crossing at the end of the day which was around knee deep when I was hugely fatigued.

The second day is steep but reasonable, there’s limited water on the way up but it’s only around 4-5ks before you get some accessible water off the western slopes and near Bogong summit, rest to cleve is easy.

Third day is where the track is messed up, the decent/ascent is a challenge but there’s a huge number of trees down on both sides, and no water sources I could find other than Big River itself during the crossing. The chains are annoyingly not the lowest point to cross but with the height/speed of the water shorter/smaller people will have to choose between safety and ease of crossing.

The final day is fire trail so easy walking though exposed.

If anything it might be worth doing this in reverse and stopping at Roper’s on day 1, pushing the climb on day 2, and camping the saddle at the end of quartz day 3.
That way the longest day is the lightest packs but also the easiest trail.

Alternatively consider doing the Grey Hills track to Spion and linking back to near Mt Nelsen, this reduces the loop “overlap” and if desired could link another day to the closer huts for a easy final day of 6-8km.

01/10/2024, 15:59

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Acknowledgement of Country

Mount bogong circuit from falls creek hike (63km)

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

Hike overview

Stage 1 (25 km): Falls Creek to Bogong Creek Saddle

Stage 2 (12 km): Bogong Creek Saddle to Cleve Cole Hut (via Mt Bogong)

Stage 3 (12 km): Cleve Cole Hut to Ropers Hut