Pyrete Range Northern Loop Hike (15.5km)

The Pyrete Range Northern Loop is a 15.5-kilometre circuit located within the quieter northern section of the Pyrete Range, part of Victoria’s Lerderderg State Park. Often overlooked in favour of more well-known hiking areas, this track offers a rugged, rewarding experience for those seeking something a little more remote and physically engaging. On average, the hike takes about five hours to complete, depending on conditions and your pace through the off-track stretch.

Beginning at the junction of Walsh Road and the Whites Road Extension Track, the route initially follows a 7-kilometre stretch of undulating management track. This section gently descends towards Pyrites Creek, but don't be fooled by the word "gentle"—you'll encounter several short, sharp climbs and descents as the track threads its way through a series of gullies. The landscape is dry and open in parts, with the occasional canopy of native woodland offering brief shade and a shift in scenery.

The real shift in pace—and challenge—comes when you reach Pyrites Creek. This marks the start of a 2.5-kilometre off-track section where strong navigation skills are essential. For the first 500 metres, you’ll follow the creek upstream. Depending on recent rainfall, this section can be rocky, slippery, or thick with vegetation. After this, the route veers away from the creek and climbs steeply up a densely overgrown spur. The ascent is steady but sustained, climbing 200 metres over the course of two kilometres. The vegetation here is particularly aggressive, dominated by low, thorny scrub that will leave its mark—hence the nickname I've given this stretch: "acupuncture spur."

Eventually, near the summit of a small peak sitting at about 500 metres elevation, you’ll rejoin an old, overgrown management track. Compared to the previous climb, this section is relatively flat and much easier to follow, winding gently back towards the starting point. After reconnecting with the Whites Road Extension Track, you’ll retrace your earlier path and once again tackle the same series of gullies—around eight in total—before finishing the loop.

This hike offers a rewarding blend of solitude, challenge, and wildness. The less-defined sections give a real sense of discovery, but also demand preparation and confidence in off-track navigation. Dense scrub, remote terrain, and lack of signage mean it's not a casual stroll—more an engaging day out for those who enjoy physical effort and the quiet satisfaction of finding their own way through the bush.