Hike at a Glance
Max elevation: 811m
Min elevation: 226m
Total Ascent: 1301m
Hike overview
Starting from Cassidy Gap Road, hike uphill through rocky shrubland before climbing up to Signal Peak and across escarpments to the rocky exposed summit of Mt Abrupt (Mud-Dadjug). Enjoy sweeping views across the Serra Range and Southern Grampians, before camping at Mud-Dadjug. On the second day cross over Bainggug (The Piccaninny) and take the steady climb up Mt Sturgeon (Wurgarri) before descending down the rocky slope to meander through an open Red Gum woodland. Cross bridges and follow directional signage into the small town of Dunkeld.
While this is best enjoyed as an overnight hike, it is only short and can easily be undertaken as a day hike. As an overnighter, day one will be approximately 8km while day two is only around 14km.
Tips
Limited parking is available at Cassidy Gap Road. Drop offs are encouraged. As this is a one way hike, you will need to arrange a short vehicle shuffle between Dunkeld and Cassidy Gap Road or arrange a transfer with a Licensed Tour Operator. Approximate 15min round trip.
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Walk map and GPX file
Max elevation: 811 m
Min elevation: 226 m
Total climbing: 1301 m
Total descent: -1430 m
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Getting there
Closest towns to this walk: Ararat, Cavendish, Dadswells Bridge, Dunkeld, Halls Gap, Horsham, Landsborough, Pomonal, Stawell, Warracknabeal, Wartook, Wartook Valley
Getting to the trailhead in Grampians National Park.From Melbourne (273km, 3hrs 20mins): Drive west on the Western Highway (M8) to Ballarat. From Ballarat take the Glenelg Highway (B160) west to Dunkeld. Turn north onto Victoria Valley Road (C216). Drive 2.6km and turn right on Grampians Tourist Road (C216) to Halls Gap. Drive 7.6km then turn left onto Cassidy Gap Road. Drive three minutes to the GPT trail crossing.
From Dunkeld (10.8km, 13mins): Leave Dunkeld village to the east on the Glenelg Highway (B160). Drive 200m and turn north onto Victoria Valley Road (C216). Drive 2.6km and turn right on Grampians Tourist Road (C216) to Halls Gap. Drive 7.6km then turn left onto Cassidy Gap Road. Drive three minutes along the dirt road to the GPT trail crossing.
From Halls Gap (54.5km, 40mins): Drive south on Grampians Tourist Road (C216) towards Dunkeld. After 54km turn right onto Cassidy Gap Road. Drive three minutes along the dirt road to the GPT trail crossing.
About the region
The Grampians National Park (Gariwerd) is a place of deep cultural significance for Aboriginal Australians. Parks Victoria acknowledges the enduring connection Traditional Owners have to this land and their ongoing role as custodians.
Renowned for its natural beauty, the park offers a variety of experiences. Explore its world-famous walking trails, encountering majestic waterfalls, vibrant spring wildflowers, and inspiring mountain views. Look out for native wildlife such as kangaroos, wallabies, emus, and birds. The park's Aboriginal heritage, diverse plant and animal life, and stunning landscapes have all earned it heritage listing. Whether you choose a scenic drive or one of the many walking or hiking tracks, the Grampians will leave a lasting impression.
Traditionally known as Gariwerd, the region boasts the highest concentration of significant and ancient Aboriginal rock art sites in southern Australia. Brambuk – The National Park and Cultural Centre offers valuable insights into these sites, enriching your exploration.
Hikers of all levels are drawn to the Grampians. Challenge yourself by scaling Mount William, the park's highest peak, or choose from the numerous trails around Halls Gap and the Wonderland Range. The Pinnacle lookout offers exceptional views, but be aware that the climb is demanding. Experienced hikers can embark on overnight adventures like the iconic Grampians Peaks Trail, Major Mitchell Plateau hike, or The Fortress and Mt Thackeray Overnight Hike.
For a more relaxed pace, consider fishing, canoeing, or kayaking on Lake Wartook, Lake Bellfield, Moora Moora Reservoir, or the park's many waterways.
The Grampians' rugged sandstone ranges, spectacular wildflowers, diverse recreational activities, and rich Aboriginal heritage combine to create an unforgettable experience. These north-south ridges boast steep eastern slopes and gentler western inclines, a result of ancient earth movements that sculpted the landscape into a series of impressive peaks and valleys. Lookouts offer panoramic views, while waterfalls add a touch of grandeur.
Spring brings vibrant wildflower displays to the park, with the Grampians Boronia, Blue Pin-cushion Lily, and numerous other native plants painting the heathlands in colour. Keep an eye out for the park's abundant native wildlife, including kangaroos, koalas, emus, wedge-tailed eagles, and more.
Don't miss the opportunity to explore the park's shelters containing ancient Aboriginal rock art paintings, a testament to the long-standing connection between Aboriginal people and this land. Billimina Shelter, Gulgurn Manja Shelter, and Manja Shelter are some notable examples.
Let the park's fresh air invigorate you. Hike, rock climb, fish, or canoe. Choose from a variety of walking tracks, whether you prefer a leisurely stroll or a challenging multi-day trek.
Halls Gap, nestled beside the Wonderland Range, serves as a convenient base for exploring the park. This town is also home to Brambuk – The National Park and Cultural Centre, where you can delve deeper into the park's natural and cultural wonders.
Similar trails nearby
Looking for hikes and trails in Grampians National Park or nearby? Try these walks with a similar grade.
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.
Explore safe
Plan ahead and hike safely! Carry enough water, pack layers for changing conditions, and bring safety gear like a torch, PLB, and reliable communication device. Check official sources for trail updates, closures, and access requirements, and review local weather and bushfire advice. Most importantly, share your plans with someone before you go. Being prepared makes for a safer and more enjoyable hike! Stay Safe, Explore More, and Always #ExploreSafe.
Packing checklists
What you carry in your pack depends on factors like weather, terrain, and your adventure type. Not sure what to bring? My free planning, food, and packing checklists are a great starting point, covering day hikes, overnight trips, and multi-day adventures. Use them to customise your kit and always prioritise safety.
Let someone know
Before heading out, take a moment to fill out your trip intentions form. It’s a quick way to share your hike details with family or friends. If something goes wrong, they can notify emergency services, ensuring a faster response and peace of mind. Stay safe and enjoy your adventure
Suggest an edit
Spotted a change on this trail? Maybe there are new features, the route has shifted, or the trail is permanently closed. Whatever the update, I’d love your input. Your feedback helps fellow hikers stay informed and ensures that our trail info stays fresh and reliable.
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.
5 Reviews on “Mud-Dadjug Walk (22km)”
This was an incredible hike, thank you for clear and useful info on this site!
Fortunately we had two cars, so chose to leave a car in Dunkeld and then we could drive to the starting area. There is only room for a few cars in the carpark, so drop-off is more ideal like suggested on this page.
The views from Signal Peak and Mt Abrupt are just phenomenal… absolutely breathtaking! Well worth the challenge. The second day in particular is challenging going up Mt. Sturgeon, but it’s a really interesting peak with plenty of little nooks to explore if you’re confident enough to climb around a bit (don’t fall!). We ran into a few day hikers, but minimal traffic during May. The hardest bit of this hike personally was the decline from Signal Peak…. ow, my knees!
The camp ground is GORGEOUS, with high quality facilities and great views. Well worth the hefty price tag for a spot! We were the only people at the campsite, which was an absolute treat but I imagine it gets BUSY during summer/spring. There’s a shelter with doors that close, solar powered lights and USB chargers. You’re not allowed to sleep in the shelter so DO bring a tent! Toilets did have toilet paper but of course good to still bring your own just in case. We were fortunate enough to have water in the rain water tanks but even after some rain they seemed fairly low. I read some reviews about crazy winds in the evening/overnight that I gawked at, but no word of a lie we thought our tents might be blown off the cliff during the night – be warned!!! a 5-6 hour hike after very little sleep was rough. There are clips to attach to your tent at each individual site (presumably because of the high winds) but it was still quite an experience. I’d even recommend putting up your tent on the backside of the shelter, where it was a little less windy.
At the end of the hike there was a beautiful walk through some private farmland, with HUNDREDS of kangaroos! This was pretty fun to see, but if I was to do this again I’d leave a car at Mt. Sturgeon carpark instead of Dunkeld, which shaves off about an hour right at the very end when you’re exhausted.
Really glad you found the info useful and I’m even more pleased to read about your adventure. Glad you enjoyed it.