Trail Fast Facts
Northern Range Circuit is an 8km, grade 3 hike located in You Yangs Regional Park, Victoria. The hike typically takes 3 hours to complete.
Hike Overview
The You Yangs Northern Range Circuit Hike is an ideal choice for those seeking a moderately challenging loop trail through You Yangs Regional Park in Victoria. This 8-kilometre trek, graded as a 3 on the difficulty scale, typically takes around 3 hours to complete.
The circuit incorporates several trails, including the West Walk, Northern Range Walk, and Branding Yard Trail. It's important to have a map handy, as this area has many intersecting paths that could lead to confusion.
The trail offers a good mix of terrain, with flat sections, rocky areas, and some steeper hills. This is a quieter part of the park, making it a good option for those seeking to escape the crowds, particularly on weekends or during peak times.
The hike begins at the Turntable Carpark. From here, follow the West Walk along the western slopes of Flinders Peak. This section is known for its interesting granite boulders, lookout points, and easy rock scrambling opportunities, all while rewarding you with stunning views. Upon reaching the Saddle, locate and follow the Northern Range Track that branches off to the north. This track winds its way around an unnamed peak before descending into a valley. The path then gradually ascends another peak before dropping down to Branding Yard Road.
After crossing the road, take the Branding Yard Trail as it heads southwest back towards Flinders Peak and the Turntable Carpark. If you have the energy and time, you can climb the 450 steps to Flinders Peak for even more rewarding views of the You Yangs and the surrounding plains.
The Flinders Peak walk itself is a separate 3.3-kilometre grade 3 hike that offers panoramic views within a 1.25-hour timeframe. As you ascend the steps, the dramatic granite peaks of the You Yangs will come into view, contrasting with the surrounding flat volcanic plains. You may even catch glimpses of Melbourne and Geelong in the distance.
The You Yangs Northern Range Circuit can be extended by connecting with other trails throughout You Yangs Regional Park, including the You Yangs Circuit Hike.
Track Grade
Grade 3 (Moderate) - Walks for Most Fitness Levels: Grade 3 on the AWTGS represents moderate walking tracks. These are ideal for walkers with some fitness who are comfortable with some hills and uneven terrain. While suitable for most ages, some bushwalking experience is recommended to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Tracks may have short, steep hill sections, a rough surface, and many steps. The total distance of a Grade 3 walk can be up to 20 kilometers.
Tips
- The You Yangs is a great location for the family.
- Be careful on some trails as they are often used by walkers, hikers, trail runners and mountain bike riders.
- You Yangs Regional Park is open daily from 7:00am to 8:00pm, including weekends and public holidays. Please note that the front gate is closed to vehicles each night.
- There are nine picnic areas throughout the park, many with tables and accessible toilet facilities. The main picnic areas provide free gas barbecues on a first come basis. There are plenty of places to set up your own gas barbecue.
- Drinking water is available from the Visitor Centre drinking fountain.
- Please take all rubbish away for disposal or recycling.
Map and GPX file
Max elevation: 241 m
Min elevation: 70 m
Total climbing: 290 m
Total descent: -290 m
Trailhead
Sorry, no records were found. Please adjust your search criteria and try again.
Sorry, unable to load the Maps API.
Getting there
Located just over 50 kilometres southwest of Melbourne in Little River, Victoria, You Yangs Regional Park is easily accessible by car. Follow the Princes Freeway (M1) for roughly an hour, with clear signage guiding you to the park entrance at 5 Branch Road. For those coming from Geelong, the park is a convenient 30-minute drive, approximately 25 kilometres away. The park itself is open every day for public enjoyment, but keep in mind closing times vary depending on daylight saving time.
Photo gallery
If you have any photos from this hike and are happy to share them, please upload your .jpg files here.
Please note: Uploading photos does not transfer ownership of copyright away from you. If requested, you will be credited for any photos you provide and can ask they be deleted at any time.
About the region
You Yangs Regional Park is part of an Aboriginal cultural landscape in the traditional Country of the Wadawurrung People. Parks Victoria respects the deep and continuing connection that Wadawurrung Traditional Owners have to these lands and waters, and we recognise their ongoing role in caring for Country.
Magnificent views, birdlife and a mecca for walkers, horse riders and mountain bikers - welcome to the You Yangs! The distinctive granite peaks of this park rise abruptly from the flat plains below. Flinders Peak and Big Rock have panoramic views out to Melbourne, which is just an hour away.
Explore over 50 kilometres of purpose-built mountain bike trails for beginners and experts. Ride easy, open dirt roads to technical, single-track and adrenaline-pumping downhill trailsor see the diverse scenery of the You Yangs from your car along The Great Circle Drive.
Climb Flinders Peak, the highest point in the You Yangs and be rewarded with uninterrupted views out to Melbourne and Geelong. Come with family or friends and picnic among the boulder-strewn landscape. Choose from nine designated picnic areas.
The You Yangs support a rich variety of plant species. Tall eucalypts such as manna gum, yellow gum and river red gum give way to sparse undergrowth of native shrubs and groundcovers. Patches of wattle and drooping sheoaks also occur. The endangered brittle greenhood orchid is one of 30 species of orchids found in the park.
The park provides a range of habitats for wildlife. More than 200 species of birds have been recorded and koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, brush-tail possums, echidnas and lizards are commonly seen.
Similar trails nearby
Looking for things to do in You Yangs Regional Park or nearby? Try these similar hikes or bushwalks.
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.
Let someone know
Adventure with peace of mind: Fill out your trip intentions form. Before you hit the trail, fill out an online form to privately send important details about your hike to your family or friends. If you don’t return on time, they can easily alert emergency services, preventing worry and ensuring a swift response. Hike with peace of mind and enjoy your outdoor adventure to the fullest. Be smart, be safe: Register your plans here.
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
Suggest an edit
Trail changed? New features discovered? Has the route changed? Trail permanently closed? Help fellow hikers by suggesting edits! Click above to update route descriptions, GPX file, trail features (like boardwalks), or access conditions (like parking availability). Help me keep the trails info fresh!
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 “Northern Range Circuit (8km)”
Seeking a scenic escape from the busier parts of the You Yangs? The Northern Range Circuit near Little River is a good choice. This moderately challenging loop offers stunning views and a good variety of terrain. While the trails themselves are mostly marked, a map can be helpful to avoid any confusion. The circuit features a mix of flat paths, rocky sections, and some steeper climbs. A great hike.