Victoria Arch Hike (12km)

Victoria Arch is a challenging 12 km, grade 5 hike in Grampians National Park, Victoria, and typically takes around six hours to complete. This hike explores an isolated pocket of the Victoria Range Remote and Natural Area, featuring an unusual rock formation that creates an arch, which can be explored and climbed.

The hike begins on the Hutt Creek Track just south of the Hutt Creek crossing on Harrop Track. It follows a rough rock climbers' track most of the way to the Mordor rock climbing wall at the southern end of the maze. Look out for tape and rock cairns that mark the route.

From the road, the trail heads east for a few kilometres before climbing up over the range across open rock slabs and through rock gullies. After leaving the road, the hike becomes entirely off-trail and quite challenging, with dense undergrowth. Once on top of the range, the trail descends to the western edge of the maze, a large rock formation, and follows its western side along a gully. At the end of the maze, the trail follows its high south wall around until its end, then heads north up a rocky gap that is just wide enough for a person.

Enter through the gap, turn right, and continue along the rock until you are directly under the arch. Experienced climbers can ascend the smooth sloping slab under the arch and exit the other side to enjoy views towards Mount Thackeray.

Looking through the arch to the right is a narrow, steep chimney that can be climbed to reach the summit. There are a few obstacles along the way, but once past them, the chimney can be climbed.