The Valley and Eagle Nest Loop in the Dandenong Ranges National Park is a 7.9km, grade 3 hike that offers a peaceful and scenic experience through lush forest landscapes. Located near the Silvan Reservoir, this walk is perhaps the most remote of all the trails in the Dandenong Ranges, providing a sense of escape into nature while still being just a short drive from the Olinda Falls carpark. The hike takes around three hours to complete, though it’s easy to extend the journey by exploring additional tracks that branch off the main loop.
The trail begins a few minutes' drive from the Olinda Falls carpark. While the path is not always clearly marked, it’s easy to follow with the help of road signs, guiding you through the circuit. The track itself is well-maintained, making it a comfortable walk despite a few uphill sections, including one that’s fairly steep. The journey culminates with a narrow walkway, adding a touch of adventure towards the end of the loop.
After passing the toilets, continue along Eagle Nest Road to reach the Eagle Nest Picnic Ground. From here, take a left onto Hermons Track, followed by a right onto Georges Track (also known as Possums Track on some maps). Follow this track until you come to Barges Track, where you’ll turn left. Continue on this path, crossing Bartlett Track twice, until you reach Rifle Range Gully. At a fork in the track, take the unmarked left-hand path called Black Hole Track to continue on your loop.
This trail is perfect for those looking for a quiet escape and an opportunity to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the Dandenong Ranges. With its variety of landscapes, including dense forests and clearings, it offers an ideal setting for a peaceful day in nature. Whether you’re in the mood for a quick walk or looking to extend the hike, the Valley and Eagle Nest Loop provides a rewarding experience for all who venture through its shaded paths.
- While there are toilets available, they are often not well-maintained, so it's best to avoid using them if possible.
Total distance: 7917 m
Max elevation: 463 m
Min elevation: 239 m
Total climbing: 587 m
Total descent: -587 m
Download
Olinda Falls is easy to reach and can be found using Google Maps. From the falls, follow Falls Road past the National Rhododendron Gardens, continuing onto Chalet Road, which will take you past the R. J. Hamer Arboretum. Turn left onto Silvan Road, then another left onto Boundary Road. Continue along Boundary Road until you reach the Valley Picnic Ground, where the trailhead is located.
- 2WD Access
- Gravel Road
- Small Car Park
- Drinking Water
- Picnic Table
- BBQ Facilities
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.
The forested slopes of the Dandenong Ranges are a place of tranquil forest walks, quaint hilltop towns and charismatic animals such as lyrebirds and wallabies. Conquer the famous 1000 Steps, discover Olinda Falls and enjoy commanding views over Melbourne and the Yarra Valley.
The Dandenong Ranges is a rainforest getaway on Melbourne's doorstep. A short drive or train ride from the city you will find steep volcanic hills covered in stands of the world's tallest flowering tree, the Mountain Ash. Living among the greenery are wallabies, lyrebirds, wombats and the Powerful Owl so please ensure you leave your dogs at home to avoid disturbing the local wildlife.
The mountains of the Dandenong Ranges offer stunning views across Melbourne. Waterfalls are also a feature of this cool temperate rainforest. Olinda Falls and Sherbrooke Falls are best after rain. Just don't forget to wear hiking boots.
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.
Looking for things to do in Dandenong Ranges National Park or nearby? Try these similar hikes or bushwalks.
Favourite
Dandenong Ranges National Park
Favourite
Favourite
Favourite
Adventure with Confidence: Register Your Trip Plans
Before you hit the trail, take a moment to fill out our trip intentions form. It’s a simple way to share important details about your hike with family or friends. If things don’t go as planned and you’re not back on time, they can easily notify emergency services, helping to ensure a quick response and reducing worry. Enjoy your outdoor adventure knowing that you’ve taken a smart step for your safety.
What you carry in your pack depends on factors like weather, terrain, time of year, the type of adventure, and your personal preferences. Unsure what gear to bring? My free planning, food, and packing checklists offer a great starting point, covering essentials for day hikes, overnight trips, and multi-day adventures. Use them as a guide to customise your kit to suit your needs, always prioritising safety above all else.
Plan ahead and hike safely! Always carry enough water and pack clothing layers to adapt to changing conditions. Bring essential safety gear, including a torch, a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), and a reliable communication device. Check official government sources for trail updates, temporary closures, and access requirements. Before heading out, review local weather and bushfire advice, including warnings and planned burns. Most importantly, let someone know your plans before you go. Being prepared ensures a safer and more enjoyable hike! Stay Safe, Explore More, and Always #ExploreSafe
1 Review on “Valley & Eagle Nest Loop Hike (7.9km)”
It’s a nice hike but description is a bit out of date. The Valley Picnic Ground has been closed off to vehicles for about 2.5 years (since the big storm in June 2021). There is decent space to park at the gate where Boundary road starts from Silvan road and you can walk in from there. This will add about 1.8km to the hike. Alternatively, you can start the hike at Eagle Nest Picnic ground, which is open.
There are no toilets on this hike. There used to be toilets at Valley Picnic ground but while the toilet block was still there about 5 years ago, the toilets had not been in use since about 2014. I do not believe there is access to drinking water anywhere on the hike either. There are BBQ facilities, but they are the open fire ones.
I was on a different hike yesterday (28 Dec 2023) and at the point where Black Hole Track meets KC Track, there was a sign saying KC Track is currently closed. I wasn’t going down that way anyway and I can’t say what the situation is exactly.
As for how challenging it is, if you’re fit, it’s probably relatively easy. If you’re my size (rather large), it’s quite hard but still rewarding.
Thanks Chris. I’ll make a note to review and update the info.
We also got confused at the start of the walk as we could not find the toilet (I think they decided to remove it) so we walked past a vehicle gate onto a road called boundary track, we walked down this until a ‘T’ intersection, turned right and followed the above instructions.
We also have the same issue on rifle range gully, we did not see the track that went off to the right so it must be a small track?