Hike at a glance

8,648

Quick overview: Explore Victoria's rugged outdoors on the Old River Circuit in Lerderderg State Park, a hard-grade, 16.7km circular hike starting and ending at Lohs Lane. Just a stone's throw from Myrniong and 77km from Melbourne, this trail plunges into remote areas of Lerderderg Gorge, offering experienced hikers a real sense of isolation and adventure. Expect challenging terrains with steep, slippery descents, rocky gullies, off-trail sections requiring navigation skills, and multiple river crossings. The trail's rugged beauty and sense of seclusion make it a must-visit for seasoned bushwalkers.

Length

16.7km

Duration

7 hrs

Difficulty

Grade 4 (Hard)

Trail type

Circuit

Route details

Max elevation: 629m
Min elevation: 270m
Total Ascent: 867m

Start: Lohs Lane

End: Lohs Lane

Location: Lerderderg State Park

State: Victoria

Nearest town: Myrniong

State capital distance: 77km

Latitude: -37.56063619

Longitude: 144.36505079269412

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.

About this trail

Difficulty

Planning

Safety

Getting there

The region

Photos

Weather

About this trail

The Lerderderg State Park is rugged and remote with limited directional signage. You should be prepared for all conditions and have suitable navigation experience (not just a phone app) before venturing beyond the main picnic/parking areas or Grahams Dam. Many rescues have occurred in this park that could have been avoided.

The Old River Circuit, a 16.7-kilometre hike in Lerderderg State Park, offers a challenging and rewarding experience for seasoned hikers. Taking roughly seven hours to complete, this grade 4 hike is a more demanding variation of the Bears Head Circuit, delving into one of the most secluded sections of the Lerderderg Gorge. The sense of isolation and adventure that comes with this hike makes it one of my personal favourites in the park.

The journey begins with a steep descent into the gorge, either from Bears Head Range or the Ah Kow Spur. This section of the track can be slippery, so it’s essential to take extra care when navigating the steep slopes. Once you’re in the gorge, the terrain remains rugged, with rocky outcrops and steep banks, particularly in the Watties Gully area. This part of the trail requires a solid footing and careful attention, as the gully can be challenging to navigate.

A particularly tricky section of the hike lies between Watties Gully and Hogans Track, where the trail veers off-path. This off-trail segment demands strong navigation skills, as there are no clear markers to guide you through the rough terrain. You’ll also need to cross the river multiple times, which can be difficult, especially after heavy rainfall. In addition, some rock scrambling is required, adding an element of technical challenge to the hike.

The isolation and raw beauty of the area are what make this hike so special. With the rugged landscape and the sounds of the Lerderderg River, experienced hikers will feel a genuine connection to the wilderness. The Old River Circuit is not a hike to be taken lightly, but for those who are up to the challenge, it offers an unforgettable adventure in one of Victoria’s most remote and spectacular environments.

Trail 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 information

Preparation matters: Plan your day hike well and bring the right gear, weather-appropriate layers, food and plenty of water. Before you head out, read up on bushwalking safety and use this day hike planning guide to make sure you're ready. Need help getting started? Check out the full hike preparation guide.

Suggested items to pack: Day Pack with Picnic Lunch and at least 2-3 litres of water.
Do now enter the gorge following heavy rain.
Hiking poles recommended and I also highly recommend water shoes if you have them as it will make the crossings easier.
Keep your eye out for snakes as they are very active along the river.

Map and GPX file

Old River Circuit Hike (16.7km)

Total distance: 16702 m
Max elevation: 629 m
Min elevation: 270 m
Total climbing: 867 m
Total descent: -867 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

Think safety first

Australian conditions can turn a small oversight into a serious situation faster than most walkers expect. The Hiking Safety Systems and planning calculators are designed to help you identify and close those gaps before you leave home. Work through the Interactive Safety Scenarios to see how incidents unfold, then use the tools to build your plan and make sure a trusted contact has your trip details before you head 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 →

Heading somewhere remote, off-track or overnight? Use the comprehensive trip intentions form instead — your emergency contact will need more detail. Register your trip plan 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 and where to stay

Lerderderg State Park

Follow the Western Freeway 9km past Bacchus Marsh and take the Myrniong exit. Continue along the Myrniong-Greendale Road for 1km, then turn right on the Mount Blackwood Road. Follow this narrow surfaced road north for 8km and turn right onto Lohs Lane. Drive a further 500m to the gate and park on the right.

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

Get there with Google Maps

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.

Accommodation →

Or search accommodation in nearby towns: Bacchus Marsh, Ballan, Blackwood, Bullengarook, Coimadai, Darley, Daylesford, Gisborne, Kyneton, Macarthur, Macedon, Maddingley, Melton, Myrniong, Sunbury, Trentham, Woodend

Explore the region

About the region

Rising in the Great Dividing Range, the Lerderderg River has cut a 300 metre deep gorge through sandstone and slate, almost bisecting the park. The park has a wide variety of vegetation and wildlife and some interesting relics of gold mining. Lerderderg State Park encompasses scenic and geological gorge formations surrounding the Lerderderg River as well as the volcanic cone of Mount Blackwood. The adjacent and separate block called the Pyrete Range forms part of the park. The Lerderderg is known for its remote setting and the 300m deep Lerderderg River gorge is a dominant feature. Private land abuts the park to the south and the Wombat State forest abuts to the north and west.

Lerderderg State Park (incorporating the former Pyrete State Forest) is a 14,250-hectare park located between Bacchus Marsh and Blackwood, an hour's drive from Melbourne, Australia. There are several maintained tracks for walking through the park and camping is allowed.

The park is named for the Lerderderg River which has cut the 300 metre deep Lerderderg Gorge through sandstone and slate, almost bisecting the park. Parks Victoria maintains six designated walks: three short walks of 3.5 km or less; Blackwood-O'Briens Crossing and return (22 km); O'Briens Crossing-Cowan Track loop (14 km); and the overnight walk O'Briens Crossing to Mackenzies Flat (20 km).

In addition, one leg of the Great Dividing Trail, the Lerderderg Track, passes through the park, entering from Blackwood in the park's northwest, and exiting south towards Bacchus Marsh. Bicycles are prohibited from one section of this track, due to a conservation area.

Explore nearby hikes

Photo gallery

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Weather on the trail

Lerderderg State 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

10 Reviews on “Old River Circuit Hike (16.7km)”

Overall rating

Tamara Morgan

This is a challenging hike & not for the faint hearted. Terrain had everything, rock scrambling, creek crossings, steep off track navigating, rock & debris hopping in the old river, snakes. All that being said, it was so gorgeous in there, remote & wild! Didn’t see another person. Wildlife was beautiful. Its not a solo hike & think safety when you plan your hike & backpack & notify someone of your trail & times. We were absolutely exhausted by the time we finished 18kms, diverting from the gpx file trek & having to navigate our own off trail journey to Hogans, due to an impassable section at big waterfall. Took 9hrs anti clockwise. Toughest hike I’ve done in this area!

08/09/2024, 21:06

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1. Darren Edwards Trail Author
  
  It certainly is tough. The waterfall section can be a challenge. Generally I just climb right through and have only once seen the falls flowing and we had to climb over the spur to the left. Sounds like you had it all on this hike. I do love how remote it feels.
  
  15/10/2024, 10:19
  
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Julie Edwards

This is a great hike but can be slow going along the river. A couple of steep and tricky sections, especially getting past the small waterfall. Avoid this walk after heavy rain as the river would be impassable

22/08/2023, 10:36

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1. Darren Edwards Trail Author
  
  I agree, this is an excellent hike. Can get a bit tiresome scrambling along the river though.
  
  22/08/2023, 10:46
  
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Leona Xu

Erryn Stephens this one for autumn?

24/03/2022, 05:21

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Acknowledgement of Country

Old river circuit hike (16. 7km) 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:

April 8, 2025

Hike at a glance

Route details

About this trail

Hike summary

Trail difficulty

Grade 4 (Hard)

Planning information

Trail tips

Map and GPX file

Safety and preparation

Think safety first

Let someone know

Free checklists

Getting there and where to stay

Accommodation nearby

Explore the region

About the region

Explore nearby hikes

Bears Head Circuit Hike (16km)

Razorback & Ah Kow Spurs Hike (13.5km)

Razorback, Chadwick & Ah Kow Spurs Hike (17km)

Razorback, Lerderderg & Lower Chadwick Circuit Hike (13km)

Photo gallery

Weather on the trail

Trail Reviews

10 Reviews on “Old River Circuit Hike (16.7km)”

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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