The Fortress from Harrops Track (11km)

Deep in the Victoria Range lies a legendary hike for experienced adventurers: The Fortress. For years, shrouded in remoteness, this iconic walk held a mythical status. Its imposing presence, a massive grey buttress with sweeping cliffs, rises majestically above the trees, dwarfing all surrounding peaks.

The hike itself is an 11km, grade 4 challenge located within Grampians National Park, Victoria. It typically takes around 4 hours to complete, offering spectacular views for most of the journey. Hikers can even choose to camp near the base of the Fortress.

The track begins and ends at Harrops Track, accessible only by high clearance vehicles due to potential overgrowth. The trail itself is rocky and demanding, featuring steep climbs and descents that reach up to 850 meters. Starting on Harrops Track shortly after the Manja Shelter, the initial leg follows a relatively easy 4WD track. However, be aware that the distance markers underestimate the true length of the hike. Plan on 5-6 hours of challenging terrain.

The gentle track soon transforms into a steep and rocky climb. Eventually, the climb levels out, offering the first of many stunning viewpoints showcasing The Fortress and the rugged Victoria Range.

The trail then progresses along the rocks and through bushland, with occasional sections requiring light scrambling. This leads to a high point with arguably the most breathtaking views of the entire hike. From here, a very steep descent, similar to but shorter than the descent into Boundary Gap on Major Mitchell Plateau, takes you towards the Deep Creek Hiker Camp.

The camp itself is a lush green haven beneath a large overhang, complete with a creek, ferns, and resident wallabies. Don't be fooled by the beauty, though - the climb out of the gully is just as steep and rocky, requiring careful navigation.

As you ascend the gully, the towering cliffs of The Fortress provide a true sense of scale. Soon, you'll reach the highest point of the walk at around 850 meters. Take a moment on a suitable rock outcrop to soak in the panoramic views encompassing the Victoria Range, Mount Difficult Range, the Black Range, and Mount Arapiles. The final section of the hike traverses rolling bushland before reaching the Fortress Cave Campsite, another sheltered campsite.

The Fortress hike offers not only breathtaking scenery but also a challenge for experienced climbers and scramblers. The summit itself requires a challenging ascent with exposed scrambling and should only be attempted in good weather conditions by highly skilled climbers.

Dominating the landscape, The Fortress lives up to its name. Its weathered cliffs resemble ancient, impregnable fortifications, a testament to the relentless hand of time. These cliffs offer a playground for skilled climbers and scramblers, while hidden within them lies a maze of eroded caves and tunnels waiting to be explored by the truly adventurous.