Mount Bogong via Staircase Spur is a 21.5km, grade 4 hike located in the Alpine National Park, Victoria. The hike should take around 9-10 hrs to complete.

Length: 21.5km

Duration: 9-10 hrs

Grade: 4

Style: Circuit

Start: Mountain Creek Camping Area

End: Mountain Creek Camping Area

Location: Alpine National Park

Closest town: Tawonga

Victoria

From state capital: 364km

Longitude: 147.25289940834048

Latitude: -36.699941418162354

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Warning

The hike is strenuous and requires a good level of fitness. The hike is exposed and there is little shelter from the elements. During the winter months you should consider this a Grade 5 hike. Weather conditions can change rapidly and without warning in the alpine region.

Hike overview

Mount Bogong, Victoria's tallest mountain, stands at an impressive 1986 meters, towering over its neighboring peaks. The Mount Bogong via Staircase Spur Trail provides a direct route to the summit, starting from the Mountain Creek Picnic Area and culminating at the peak.

The journey begins at the Mountain Creek Picnic Area, where a vehicle track leads to the base of the Staircase Spur. From there, the ascent commences through a forest of Peppermint Gums. Approximately halfway up, Bivouac Hut offers a well-deserved respite before the trail transitions through Snow Gums and out onto a steep, rocky ridge that winds up to the summit plateau.

The summit's exposed, treeless expanse provides minimal protection from inclement weather. Strong winds, fog, frigid temperatures, rain, and snow are all prevalent at this altitude. Navigation can become exceptionally challenging under these conditions, prompting the decision to turn back at the tree line if conditions worsen.

From the summit, the descent takes a steeper route via Eskdale Spur, passing Michell Hut and Camp Creek, before rejoining the Mountain Creek and Tree Fern Tracks, leading back to Mountain Creek. Alternatively, hikers can opt to return via the Staircase Spur, resulting in an approximate 16-kilometer round trip.

Overnight Camping

If you intend on making this an overnight hike, camping is available outside the following huts.

Bivouac Hut. Staircase Spur, approximately 6km from the trail head and 3km from the summit. This is a small hut with pit toilet but no water tank.
Cleve Cole Memorial Hut, approximately 4km south of the summit (this will add to your overall hike length as a return trip is required). This is a small hut with pit toilet and water tank.
Michell Hut, approximately 2km from the summit down Eskdale Spur. This is a small hut with pit toilet and water tank.

Note: Huts in alpine areas are intended for emergency use only and you should not plan to sleep in them or use the emergency firewood.

Be Prepared

This hike requires that you have a sufficient level of equipment (in good working order), fitness and self-reliance.

Route and GPX file

Total distance: 21402 m
Max elevation: 1975 m
Min elevation: 595 m
Total climbing: 1541 m
Total descent: -1542 m

Download file: Mount Bogong - Staircase Spur.gpx

Trail features

Gravel Path
Rough Trail
Alpine Region
Alpine Huts
Exposed Ledges
Steep Terrain
Scenic Viewpoints
Untreated Water
Overnight Campsites

Trail location

Getting there

The hike starts and ends at Mountain Creek Camping Area. From Melbourne, drive to the small town of Tawonga (4km north of Mount Beauty). From Towonga, Mountain Creek Roads heads east for 10.5km to the camping area. There are pleasant campsites and a pit toilet here.

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Access conditions

2WD Access
Bitumen Road
Large Car Park
Public Toilets
Picnic Table
Camping Area

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About the region

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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Reviews

1 Review on “Mount Bogong via Staircase Spur (21.5km)”

Overall rating

Zoe Cant

Beautiful hike! Tough slog uphill but views were worth it. I started at the very bottom at Mountain Creek campground but you can drive further up and park at the trailhead of the staircase, or if you have a 4wd you can park up at the trailhead of Eskdale. Camped at Michele Hut.

26/04/2022, 08:39

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sophie georghi

The staircase trail is a bit rougher than I remembered it. No tourists for last 18 months; it has a lot of loose stones and rocks along the path and although big tree trunks have been removed there were a few unexpected short stumps and lots of stones along the way especially between the Bivouwac hut and the tree line. It was very windy and cold along the top and there was still some melting snow on 28.11.21.
A very important note coming back down the staircase: Once you have descended the staircase and are coming along the mountain creek path there are 4 bridges along the creek before you arrive at the camp ground.
After tossing the 3rd bridge the path to cross to final bridge is off to the left and NOT SIGNPOSTED . Do not follow the 4 wheel drive keep to the left and you will see the path to cross the final bridge ( unless you want to cross the creek by foot.)

24/03/2022, 05:19

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Emily Jennings Donhardt

My friends and I are keen to do this hike in a couple weeks.
Just wanting to clarify, is it 19km one way? or 19km up and back?

24/03/2022, 05:19

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