This is a challenging hike that should not be underestimated. Do not attempt this hike during Winter unless you are experienced in Alpine conditions and have the necessary equipment for snow hiking (crampons/ice axe/snow shoes). This hike requires that you have a sufficient level of navigation experience, equipment (in good working order), fitness and self-reliance. It is vital that you take personal responsibility for ensuring you are prepared!
The Mount Buller via North Ridge hike is a tough introduction to Victoria's Alpine Area and represents one of the more intense approaches to the summit of Mount Buller. There is not track, it is steep, unrelenting and requires exceptional navigation skills and stamina as you fight through the dense undergrowth.
The hike commences from a carpark on Loch Street near the Toll Gate to the Mount Buller Alpine Resort, opposite the Mirimbah Picnic Ground. Locate Buller Creek to the south and proceed through the dense bush, following the creek for approximately 2km to the base of North Ridge Spur.
If you think this section is tough going, turn around and walk back to your car as the challenge is only about to begin.
On locating the spur, follow the high point, south-east until you reach the summit of Mount Buller. It will be long and stead climb to the summit as there is no track and the route involves serious rock climbing on the spur with up to 75% gradient. On reaching the summit, you will have ascended close to 1300m.
If you have the time and inclination, you can return to the trail head via the same route. It is recommended to organise a car shuffle for this hike and don't forget to let someone know your intentions. It is very easy to become lost in this isolated area.
Total distance: 9201 m
Max elevation: 1790 m
Min elevation: 676 m
Total climbing: 1513 m
Total descent: -465 m
Download file:
Mt-Buller-via-North-Ridge.gpx
- Recommended as a one way hike due to time required
- Very dense forest, very slow, about 6-7 hrs to do total distance of 9 km
- There is no track and the route involves serious rock climbing on the spur with up to 75% gradient
- Only for the very fit, this involves close to 1300m of accumulated vertical ascent.
- This is a challenging hike that should not be underestimated. Do not attempt this hike during Winter unless you are experienced in Alpine conditions and have the necessary equipment for snow hiking (crampons/ice axe/snow shoes)
- This hike requires that you have a sufficient level of navigation experience, equipment (in good working order), fitness and self-reliance. It is vital that you take personal responsibility for ensuring you are prepared!
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From Melbourne, take the Hume Fwy/National Highway M31, C382, Goulburn Valley Hwy/B340, B300 and Mount Buller Rd/C320 to Summit Rd in Mount Buller. Continue along Summit Road Drive to the Mirimbah Picnic Ground. The hike commences from a carpark on Loch Street near the Toll Gate to the Mount Buller Alpine Resort, opposite the Mirimbah Picnic Ground.
It’s a good idea to let someone know where you’re going. Fill in a trip intention form to send important details about your trip to your emergency contact. If you are lost or require help and have phone reception, call 000 and ask for police. The international standard emergency number is 112, if you dial this number in Australia you will be treated exactly the same as a 000 call. If you believe your life is at risk, activate your personal locator beacon (PLB), then make your position visible to rescue teams and keep warm and dry.
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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