Hike at a glance

9,153

Quick overview: Explore the challenging but rewarding Mount Difficult (Gar) Plateau Circuit, a 24km hike in Victoria's stunning Grampians National Park. This Grade 4 trail takes you across the Mount Difficult Plateau, up to the summit of Mount Difficult (Gar), and offers awe-inspiring views from Briggs Bluff. Starting from Troopers Creek Campground, traverse past several waterfalls, over rocky terrain, and through breathtaking panoramas of the Wimmera Plains and Mount Stapylton Complex. Whether it's a long day hike or an overnight adventure, this trail promises an unforgettable bushwalking experience.

Hike length

24km

Average duration

8 hrs

Trail Difficulty

Grade 4 (Hard)

Hike Type

Circuit

Technical details

Max elevation: 786m
Min elevation: 264m
Total Ascent: 1232m

Start: Troopers Creek Campground

End: Troopers Creek Campground

Location: Grampians National Park

State: Victoria

Nearest town: Halls Gap

State capital distance: 272km

Latitude: -36.98674494963787

Longitude: 142.43063895725484

Check current conditions
Track conditions, access and closures can change quickly due to weather, fire, maintenance or safety concerns. Always check the relevant land manager’s website before you visit. Trail Hiking Australia does not provide real-time track and closure monitoring, and land managers remain the authoritative source for current alerts, closures and access restrictions.

Hike details

Difficulty

Planning

Safety

Getting there

The region

Nearby hikes

Weather

Trail details

Hike summary

The Mount Difficult (Gar) Plateau Circuit is a challenging but rewarding 24km hike in Grampians National Park, Victoria. Taking 1-2 days to complete, this circuit traverses the Mount Difficult Plateau and leads you to the summit of Mount Difficult (Gar) and the breathtaking northern viewpoint of Briggs Bluff.

The adventure begins at Troopers Creek Campground. You'll follow the scenic Gar Waterfalls Walk as it gradually ascends the escarpment towards Briggs Bluff. Prepare for a long and steep climb that winds its way past several waterfalls.

Reaching the escarpment, an approximate 2km return walk takes you across the rocky plateau to Briggs Bluff. Here, the awe-inspiring north-east facing cliffs rise 400 meters, offering a vertigo-inducing view down over the Wimmera Plains. But the true highlight is the view back along the Mount Difficult Range towards Halls Gap, with the Mount Stapylton Complex adding to the panoramic grandeur.

Returning to the previous junction, head east towards Mud Creek Bush Camp to begin the circuit section. The path continues along the Grampians Peaks Trail towards Gar Hike-in Campground and ultimately, Mount Difficult. The summit rewards you with some of the most spectacular views in northern Gariwerd.

After basking in the panorama, the circuit ventures east via Longpoint West and Longpoint East before turning north towards Briggs Bluff to complete the loop. To return to the trailhead, simply follow the Gar Waterfalls Walk back down to Troopers Creek Campground.

If you plan on making this an overnight walk, Longpoint West Hike-in Camping Area is a good choice at approximately 12.5km from the trailhead.

Additional Information:

Troopers Creek Campground - Trailhead

Set amongst tall Eucalypts and heathy shrubland, Troopers Creek Campground offers spectacular views of the Mt Difficult escarpment.

The campground features shared fireplaces with BBQ hotplates and picnic tables throughout. Make sure you bring your own firewood as firewood collection is prohibited in the national park. There are pit toilet facilities and there are two large group camping areas suitable for up to 16 people. All sites must be booked online in advance.

Troopers creek is just down the road from the Beehive Falls trailhead where trails to Briggs Bluff, Gar / Mount Difficult and Beehive Falls are all accessible, and is also next to the trailhead for section two of the Grampians Peaks Trail.

Campfires

Please use fuel stoves only in all hiker campsites areas.
During Summer and Autumn Total Fire Bans are common; this means no fires are to be lit including portable cooking appliances.
Always check for Total Fire Bans and fire conditions prior to your walk and carry a small radio or mobile phone.
Being aware of a Total Fire Ban is your responsibility.

Track difficulty

Grade 4 (hard) badge

Grade 4 (Hard)

Steep, rough, and demanding
These are challenging walks suited to experienced hikers. Expect sustained climbs, rough and uneven terrain, and longer distances.

Tracks may be less defined, and signage can be limited, so navigation awareness is important. These walks require good fitness, confidence on difficult terrain, and the ability to manage fatigue over time.

Safety note: Fatigue, poor navigation, or a sudden weather change can turn a hard walk into a serious situation.

Planning essentials

Map and GPX file

Mount Difficult Plateau Circuit (24km)

Total distance: 24260 m
Max elevation: 786 m
Min elevation: 264 m
Total climbing: 1232 m
Total descent: -1232 m

GPX files, maps and content are copyright Trail Hiking Australia. Not to be copied, redistributed or uploaded to other platforms including AllTrails.

Safety and preparation

Planning this hike?

Small oversights can compound quickly in Australian conditions. See how it happens in the Interactive Safety Scenarios. Then refer to the Hiking Safety Systems, planning calculators, and make sure a trusted contact has your trip plan before heading out.

Let someone know

Before you go, complete a trip intentions form and share it with a trusted contact. Agree on a Late-Back Time and ask them to call 000 (Police) if you have not checked in. A clear trip plan is one of the simplest and most effective safety steps you can take, and it only takes two minutes..

Let someone know your plans →

Planning something more serious? The comprehensive trip intentions form is designed for remote, overnight, and off-track trips where your emergency contact needs more detail. Register your advanced plans here →

Free checklists

Download the hiking preparation and safety checklists before leaving home to help you think through your plans. They help ensure important considerations are not overlooked and support safer decision-making on the trail.

Getting there

Grampians National Park

Troopers Creek Campground is in the northern Grampians off Roses Gap Road. Follow the road west from Roses Gap for 3.5kms and find the campground on your left.

Need a rental car to get you to the hike? Find one here →

Get there with Google Maps

Access Conditions:

2WD Access
Bitumen Road
Small Car Park

Accommodation nearby

Find hotels, cabins, and campgrounds near the trailhead. Click the button below to open an interactive map automatically centred on this hike's location — no searching required.

Find Accommodation

Or browse accommodation in nearby towns: Ararat, Cavendish, Dadswells Bridge, Dunkeld, Halls Gap, Horsham, Landsborough, Pomonal, Stawell, Warracknabeal, Wartook, Wartook Valley

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About the region

Renowned for rugged mountain ranges, rich cultural heritage and breathtaking scenic views, the 168,000 hectare park is ideal for a wide range of outdoor activities. The many walking tracks will take you on a journey to waterfall views, ancient geological rock features and forests. There are guided tours, and with a large network of roads available, car touring is a great way to explore. Renowned as the major attraction in the region, the Grampians National Park is a must-visit destination for all travellers, backpackers and day-trippers in Victoria.

The spectacular setting of the mountainous landscape boasts a wide array of attractions and activities for visitors to the region. The Grampians National Park (also Gariwerd), commonly referred to as The Grampians, is a national park in the Grampians region of Victoria, Australia. The 167,219-hectare (413,210-acre) national park is situated between Stawell and Horsham on the Western Highway and Dunkeld on the Glenelg Highway, 260 kilometres west of Melbourne and 460 kilometres east of Adelaide.

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Photo gallery

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Weather on the trail

Grampians National Park

The map below shows the rain forecast for the trail area. Tap the toggle in the top right corner to explore other layers including wind, temperature, UV index, thunderstorms, fire danger, and weather warnings — all useful for planning a safe hike.

Trail Reviews

6 Reviews on “Mount Difficult Plateau Circuit (24km)”

Overall rating

Janice Lindsey

Has this been reopened?

24/03/2022, 05:17

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1. Danielle Brown
  
  Here you go Irene!
  
  24/03/2022, 05:17
  
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  1. Tammy Schoo
    
    Hi guys the walking track is now closed from troopers creek campground (which is also closed) due to fire damage. You have to start the walk at beehive falls trailhead. Check http://www.parks.vic.gov.au for updated track notes.
    
    24/03/2022, 05:17
    
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    1. Maddy Louise
      
      Jenna Louise…I’ll meet you at the top
      
      24/03/2022, 05:17
      
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    2. Cosmo Polanski
      
      Kylie Zelley have you done this one?
      
      24/03/2022, 05:17
      
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    3. Andrew Howie
      
      Lauren Christian …
      
      24/03/2022, 05:17
      
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  2. Toby V
    
    Instead of looping back, you can also hike from briggs bluff down to beehive falls carpark and back to troopers via roses gap rd , about 6km, but its all uphill.
    
    24/03/2022, 05:17
    
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    1. Anna Duca
      
      Nooo! We didnt do this one, drove past it to other hikes we did up there. Have you done it??
      
      24/03/2022, 05:17
      
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      1. Bree Bonaccorso
        
        Oliver Bonaccorso
        
        24/03/2022, 05:17
        
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2. Dean Herman
  
  I went to do this hike in 7/2020 but the starting point is closed and not accessible (theres a wooden sign on the side of the road oppositie where the access point used to be). It looked as though the original camp site was planted over. This also closes access to Talwinda Falls. Troopers Ck Camp Ground is about 5km further north and the trail up to the eacarpment is still in place but currently closed due to Grampians Peak Trail work. I found the trail and followed it briefly but turned around at the fences.
  
  24/03/2022, 05:17
  
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  1. Daniel Fillery
    
    Mount easy ?
    
    24/03/2022, 05:17
    
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  2. Trail Hiking Australia
    
    No. Unfortunately it is permanently closed from Troopers Creek. You have to access Mt Difficult from the north. Guess they ran out of funding. http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/621246/Grampians-National-Park-Update.pdf
    
    24/03/2022, 05:17
    
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Frank Davis

7hr circuit, unless we get lost and go rock climbing instead Vicy ?

24/03/2022, 05:17

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Acknowledgement of Country

Mount difficult plateau circuit (24km) trail hiking australia

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

Technical details

Trail details

Hike summary

Troopers Creek Campground - Trailhead

Track difficulty

Grade 4 (Hard)

Planning essentials

Map and GPX file

Safety and preparation

Planning this hike?

Let someone know

Free checklists

Getting there

Accommodation nearby

Discover more

About the region

Explore nearby hikes

Gar Waterfalls Walk (4.2km)

Gar Hike-in Campground (15km)

Briggs Bluff – Gar Waterfalls Hike (14km)

Gar & Werdug Hike (36.5km)

Photo gallery

Weather on the trail

Trail Reviews

6 Reviews on “Mount Difficult Plateau Circuit (24km)”

Leave a Review. Cancel reply

Notice something different about this trail?

Acknowledgement of Country

Curated by: Darren Edwards | Trail Hiking Australia

Last modified:

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