Hike at a Glance

Quick overview: Discover the tranquil Valley and Eagle Nest Loop, a 7.9km, Grade 3 hike nestled in the heart of Dandenong Ranges National Park. Just a stone's throw away from the Olinda Falls carpark, this track takes bushwalkers through lush forests and scenic vistas, offering a serene getaway. Be ready for a moderate challenge with a few uphill bouts, and don't miss the narrow walkway for a dash of adventure. This trail is ideal for a peaceful day immersed in nature's beauty.

Length:

7.9km

Duration:

3 hrs

Grade:

Style:

Circuit

Max elevation: 463m

Min elevation: 239m

Total Ascent: 587m

Start: Valley Picnic Ground

End: Valley Picnic Ground

Dandenong Ranges National Park

Victoria

Nearby town: Olinda

From state capital: 50km

Latitude: -37.84513022117783

Longitude: 145.38516993773064

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Hike overview

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.

Tips

While there are toilets available, they are often not well-maintained, so it's best to avoid using them if possible.

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Photos by Dean Turner.

Walk map and GPX file
Valley & Eagle Nest Loop Hike (7.9km)

Total distance: 7917 m
Max elevation: 463 m
Min elevation: 239 m
Total climbing: 587 m
Total descent: -587 m

Getting there

Getting to the trailhead: Dandenong Ranges National Park.

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.

Get there with Google Maps

Closest towns to this walk: Belgrave, Emerald, Kallista, Kalorama, Monbulk, Montrose, Olinda, Sassafras, Tecoma, Upwey

Access conditions

2WD Access
Gravel Road
Small Car Park
Drinking Water
Picnic Table
BBQ Facilities

About the region

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.

Similar walks nearby

Looking for more walks in or near Dandenong Ranges National Park? Try these trails with a similar difficulty grade.

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.

Explore safe

Plan ahead and hike safely! Carry enough water, pack layers for changing conditions, and bring safety gear like a torch, PLB, and reliable communication device. Check official sources for trail updates, closures, and access requirements, and review local weather and bushfire advice. Most importantly, share your plans with someone before you go. Being prepared makes for a safer and more enjoyable hike! Stay Safe, Explore More, and Always #ExploreSafe.

Packing checklists

What you carry in your pack depends on factors like weather, terrain, and your adventure type. Not sure what to bring? My free planning, food, and packing checklists are a great starting point, covering day hikes, overnight trips, and multi-day adventures. Use them to customise your kit and always prioritise safety.

Let someone know

Before heading out, take a moment to fill out your trip intentions form. It’s a quick way to share your hike details with family or friends. If something goes wrong, they can notify emergency services, ensuring a faster response and peace of mind. Stay safe and enjoy your adventure

Reviews
Valley & Eagle Nest Loop Hike (7.9km)

11 Reviews on “Valley & Eagle Nest Loop Hike (7.9km)”

Overall rating

Chris Hansen

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.

29/12/2023, 13:44

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1. Darren Edwards Trail Author
  
  Thanks Chris. I’ll make a note to review and update the info.
  
  30/12/2023, 17:19
  
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Wayne Hackett

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?

24/03/2022, 05:16

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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.

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.

Curated by: Darren Edwards | Trail Hiking Australia

Last modified:

February 25, 2025

Hike at a Glance

Hike overview

Tips

Gallery

Walk map and GPX file
Valley & Eagle Nest Loop Hike (7.9km)