Mount Howitt is a 14km, grade 4 hike located in the Alpine National Park, Victoria. The hike should take around 5 hrs to complete.
Hike summary
The Mount Howitt hike starts at the carpark on the Howitt Road, 81 km north of Licola via the Tamboritha Road. The first 5 km passes though pleasant Snow Gum woodlands and small, open snow grass plains. The memorial Vallejo Gantner Hut near Macalister Springs was built in 1970 as a refuge for bushwalkers. It has a unique copper clad inclined 'A' frame design.
Beyond the hut the track follows a narrow ridge, with spectacular views into the headwaters of the Macalister River (west) and Wonnangatta River - Terrible Hollow (east).
After a climb of 0.5 km the Australian Alps Walking Track is reached. Turn left, it is only a fairly short walk to the open rolling summit of Mount Howitt and Howitt West Peak. The view from here is one of the best in the Victorian Alps. Nearby is the jagged Cross Cut Saw, The Razor, The Viking and Mount Speculation, and in the distance Mount Buller to the west, Mount Buffalo to the north and Mount Feathertop to the north west.
Route and GPX file
Max elevation: 1735 m
Min elevation: 1525 m
Total climbing: 332 m
Total descent: -208 m
Gear you might need
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Location
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Getting there
Drive to Licola and at the road junction near the bridge take the Tamboritha Road (don't cross the bridge). You will drive past bush camp sites before the road will turn into a dirt road. 48km from Licola you will reach the Arbuckle Junction, turn left and follow Howitt Road for another 37km to the Mount Howitt Carpark.
Let someone know before you go
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.
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.
Gallery
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Let someone know before you go. Register your trip intentions here. Your trip intentions will be emailed to your emergency contact.
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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.