Trail Fast Facts
Mount Clear Traverse is a 22.2km, grade 4 hike in Alpine National Park, Victoria. This hike typically takes 2 days to complete.
Hike Overview
This high country Mount Clear Traverse hike includes The Nobs, High Cone and Mount Clear. It is a full pack carry so all hikers must have suitable gear, clothing, food and water.
Mount Clear's bald 1695m summit and bulk are visible from many peaks in the area, and its central position ensures a grandstand view of the surrounding alps. Other peaks visited on this hike are The Nobs (1495m) with its twin summits, High Cone (1488m) with its prominent point and Square Top (1587m) with its long flat summit. All of these peaks are straight forward to climb following a long ascent from the valley.
Day 1 ascends for the first 3-4km and is 14km in length. Days 2 is mostly downhill for the remaining 7km. See elevation profile.
Day 1:
14km to campsite
Day 2
7km return to vehicles
Water
Can be collected at the start point and during the hike
Camping
At Sheepyard Flat (or anywhere you want to camp) Overnight campsite is on an attractive saddle north west of Mount Clear and is close to a convenient water source.
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.
Map and GPX file
Max elevation: 1694 m
Min elevation: 869 m
Total climbing: 1533 m
Total descent: -1533 m
Trailhead
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Getting there
From Mansfield, follow the Mount Buller Road for 20.5km to the Howqua Track turnoff on the right, just 2km past the small town of Merrijig. Follow the dirt Howqua Track for 16.5km to the popular Sheepyard Flat. (Camping here Friday night).
From Sheepyard Flat take Brocks Road (rough dirt track but still suitable for 2WD vehicles). Eight Mile Gap is reached after 19.5km from Sheepyard Flat; turn right at the gap and the road descends into the Jamieson River Valley. Once you are in the Valley is is approximately 3km to the Clear Creek Road turnoff on the right. Follow the side-road for 2.5km to where a 4WD track joins the road on the right, 14km from Eight Mile Gap. Leave vehicles here, or near the bridge over Clear Creek a little further on. You can also fill any water containers here before setting off.
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.
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Similar trails nearby
Looking for things to do in Alpine National Park or nearby? Try these similar hikes or bushwalks.
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Adventure with Confidence: Register Your Trip Plans
Before you hit the trail, take a moment to fill out our trip intentions form. It’s a simple way to share important details about your hike with family or friends. If things don’t go as planned and you’re not back on time, they can easily notify emergency services, helping to ensure a quick response and reducing worry. Enjoy your outdoor adventure knowing that you’ve taken a smart step for your safety.
Gear to consider
What you carry in your pack will depend on the weather, terrain, time of year, type of adventure, and personal preferences. Having trouble deciding what gear’s right for you? My free planning, food and packing checklists provide an introduction to things your could consider (as well as the Ten Essentials) on your day, overnight and multi-day adventures. Customise your kit according to your personal needs, always considering safety first.Â
Explore Safe
While planning your hike, it’s important to check official government sources for updated information, temporary closures and trail access requirements. Before hitting the trail, check local weather and bushfire advice for planned burns and bushfire warnings and let someone know before you go. Plan ahead and hike safely.
Weather
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.
1 Review on “Mount Clear Traverse Hike (22.2km)”
Sharing a review received from Tyrone B. Took advantage of the fine weather and decided to give this walk a go.
Headed off 4:30am from Melbourne wanting to get an early start taking in account the tedious drive from Merrijig to Clear creek trailhead.
Was met with some deer hunters as I was about to walk up the road, assured me I wouldn’t be shot I walked up the steep Nobs 4wd Track meeting up with the AAWT , was quite stuffed already hadn’t even started the real walking yet , made my way over The Nobs , then onto Highcone was windy up high not sure if I was hot or cold as the wind was cold and a blaring warm Spring sun. from Highcone thru to Mt Clear the GPS became my best friend, the track would appear and then disappear and would be left scrub bashing over and under fallen trees etc..
Was 3pm by the time I made it to the saddle between Square Top And Mt Clear and was pretty well buggered and tempted to setup camp and relax , but decided I wanted to get to the saddle on the other side of Mt Clear so I had an easy walk the next day back to the car , made camp by 5ish and was happy to be snug in bed after woofing down dinner.
Was a tough walk and I enjoyed very much with spectacular country views.
Alex Haigh let’s book this one in!
Kyle Schonie
Romana Hoffman
Stephen Carter Andrew Linehan
Completed this traverse on NYD 2022. The track from the Nob through to Square Top is completely overgrown and indistinguishable. It needs to be considered off track walking so make sure you are prepared for that type of navigation and allow plenty of time as it’s extremely slow going. While these track notes suggest water is available at the camp site we couldn’t find it even after an hour of searching. We were nearly out of water so made the call to continue on and walk out back to the car / creek. Took us 14 hrs all up.
Ryan McCosker