The Mount Feathertop - North Razorback hike summits Mount Feathertop, the second highest mountain in Victoria and one of the most picturesque peaks in the state. It is linked to the nearby Mount Hotham ski resort by The Razorback, a high narrow ridge, but otherwise surrounded by steep slopes which continue right to the summit. Unlike most nearby mountains, Mount Feathertop has steep slopes right to the top and does not have the rounded summit dome that is typical of many nearby peaks.
Mount Feathertop is probably the most appealing peak in the high country. It provides terrific hiking in summer and in winter it is a great venue for mountaineering and extreme skiing. But be careful, as it averages a death per decade. Most deaths are in winter and most come from not treating cornices with the respect they deserve.
Access and Trail Notes
To get to the North Razorback, turn off the Great Alpine Road (B 500) just south of Bright at Germantown on the Mount Beauty Road (C 536). Cross the Ovens River and immediately turn south along Snowy Creek Track (aka Dungey's Track). If you're in a low clearance 2WD, park at the end of the freehold land and walk. If you're in a 'soft roader' or 4WD, continue southwards, turning right at every main road junction (ignoring short logging tracks). Eventually you will climb up to Stony Creek Tops.
At Dungey Gap (1300 m) you will find the seasonal road closure gate (locked between Queen's Birthday and Cup Weekend), and a large clearing that has recently been cleared of a blackberry infestation (Thanks Steve!). 100 metres north east of the road is a large metal fire water tank full of pretty rancid water and a small creek which flows most of the year. (Don't rely on it from January to April).
The road deteriorates from here, so walk the last 3.2 km unless you have a real 4WD. At the end of the road, it is only 4.1 km to the summit along the North Razorback walking track which continues over undulating ground for another 3 km . At the treeline the track fades to a footpad and is easily lost. But the steep 1 km route to the North Peak is obvious. Find the track again and walk along the summit ridge to Mount Feathertop.
If you have an older map (or a VicMap published at any date), ignore the walking track shown between the North Razorback and MUMC Hut. It was built to transport material when the hut was being built and has been overgrown for 40 years. The ground the former track traversed is very steep and scrubby, so even if you are heading for MUMC Hut, it's much faster and easier to take the indirect route over the summit.
The 1st edition of the Rooftop map also indicates a walking track from the trout farm at the base of North West Spur to Stony Tops. This was in reasonable condition before the 2006 fires, but it has not been restored and is no longer maintained.
Summer
8.8 km from the summer 4WD road head to the summit and return
Winter
14.6 km from the winter gate to the summit and return.
Maps
The most useful and accurate map is Mount Feathertop - Hotham 1:30,000. 2nd edition. Rooftop, 2009.
Route shown below is 8.2 km from the summer 4WD road head to the summit and return
Summary provided by: David Sisson | www.australianmountains.com/#8
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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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0 Reviews on “Mount Feathertop - North Razorback (8.8km)”
Pretty snow covered right now… plan ahead for summer.
Can’t wait to be able to pull the hiking boots on again and get out there.
Brendan Gillet
I did Feathertop solo in November 2015. Fantastic trek, can be very busy if you go on a long weekend.
Great camp sites!
I did the Razorback as a solo last November. There was still snow on the peaks. A wonderful experience with only my thoughts for company.
I hiked there 25 years ago
I’m keen man! Looks steeper than it is I reckon ?
Kathleen Boag
Max Max Slinger
Jamie Jamie
Mary Swoffer you organize it I’ll come.
Mick Sheedy
Juzee Celentane yeah me too.
Lachlan ‘Blinky Bill’ Gordon ? ⛺ï¸
Keeeeen!
Ja Cee
Jade Masters my next hike
James Goonan we should do this one too :)!
John Goonan we had to do some of this when I was at school. Still remember the bruises from the packs. Not sure how far we went, but it was over night
Karen Kost- we will get there one day!!
Luke Fisher
Meaghan bucket list
Nice walk and quickest/shortest access to Feathertop if you have a 4WD. just back from this walk and National Parks staff have done a good job of recently clearing the initial path that was overgrown as you commence walking on the trail. Now an easy obvious route through the scrub before you exit the treeline.