Hike at a glance

5,246

Quick overview: Discover the challenging yet rewarding You Yangs Peaks Circuit, a 12.8km, grade 4 hiking trail located in Victoria's stunning You Yangs Regional Park. Starting from Turntable car park, this hard-rated circuit offers off-trail adventures, navigating peak-to-peak with opportunities for rock hopping and scrambling. With breathtaking views of the You Yangs and surrounding plains, it's perfect for confident bushwalkers seeking to enhance their navigation skills. Remember, this trail is best suited for those comfortable with heights and off-trail navigation.

Length

12.8km

Duration

4 hrs

Difficulty

Grade 4 (Hard)

Trail type

Circuit

Route details

Max elevation: 332m
Min elevation: 70m
Total Ascent: 713m

Start: Turntable Carpark

End: Turntable Carpark

Location: You Yangs Regional Park

State: Victoria

Nearest town: Little River

State capital distance: 62km

Latitude: -37.95898772329478

Longitude: 144.42647337913516

Check current conditions
Track conditions, access and closures can change quickly due to weather, fire, maintenance or safety concerns. Always check the relevant land manager’s website before you visit. Trail Hiking Australia does not provide real-time track and closure monitoring, and land managers remain the authoritative source for current alerts, closures and access restrictions.

About this trail

Difficulty

Planning

Safety

Getting there

The region

Photos

Weather

About this trail

This hike involves sections of off-trail navigation and exposes fragile ecosystems to damage. Due to the risk of environmental impact, this hike is strongly discouraged. Hikers are urged to respect the park and choose from the many established trails available.

The You Yangs Peaks Circuit is a 12.8 km, grade 4 hike in You Yangs Regional Park, Victoria, typically completed in 4 hours. This circuit is ideal for hikers seeking to enhance their off-trail navigation skills, as a significant portion of the trail bypasses formed paths and proceeds peak-to-peak. While the main trails at You Yangs are graded as level 3, this circuit's grade 4 rating is solely due to its off-trail navigation requirement. Navigation is straightforward as long as you maintain a course towards the peaks, minimising the risk of getting lost. It's advisable to attempt this hike only if you're confident navigating without formed trails.

Starting at Turntable car park, the You Yangs Peaks Circuit ascends 450 steps to Flinders Peak, offering expansive views of the You Yangs and the surrounding plains. From here, the trail continues off-trail, progressing peak-to-peak before reconnecting with the Northern Range Circuit following the final ascent of a granite tor. Along this route, hikers can navigate through overhanging rocks and encounter numerous opportunities for rock hopping, scrambling, and some unassisted climbing. Alternate routes are available for those uncomfortable with heights, ensuring accessibility across all sections of the hike.

You Yangs Regional Park is open daily from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm, including weekends and public holidays. Please note that the front gate is closed to vehicles each night.

Trail difficulty

Grade 4 (hard) badge

Grade 4 (Hard)

Steep, rough, and demanding
These are challenging walks suited to experienced hikers. Expect sustained climbs, rough and uneven terrain, and longer distances.

Tracks may be less defined, and signage can be limited, so navigation awareness is important. These walks require good fitness, confidence on difficult terrain, and the ability to manage fatigue over time.

Safety note: Fatigue, poor navigation, or a sudden weather change can turn a hard walk into a serious situation.

Planning information

Preparation matters: Plan your day hike well and bring the right gear, weather-appropriate layers, food and plenty of water. Before you head out, read up on bushwalking safety and use this day hike planning guide to make sure you're ready. Need help getting started? Check out the full hike preparation guide.

The You Yangs is a great location for the family.
Be careful on some trails as they are often used by walkers, hikers, trail runners and mountain bike riders.
You Yangs Regional Park is open daily from 7:00am to 8:00pm, including weekends and public holidays. Please note that the front gate is closed to vehicles each night.
There are nine picnic areas throughout the park, many with tables and accessible toilet facilities. The main picnic areas provide free gas barbecues on a first come basis. There are plenty of places to set up your own gas barbecue.
Drinking water is available from the Visitor Centre drinking fountain.
Please take all rubbish away for disposal or recycling.

Map and GPX file

You Yangs Peaks Circuit Hike (12.8km)

You Yangs Peaks Circuit (return via East Walk) | 12.8km

This circuit returns you to the trail head via East Walk.

Total distance: 12756 m
Max elevation: 332 m
Min elevation: 70 m
Total climbing: 713 m
Total descent: -716 m

GPX files, maps and content are copyright Trail Hiking Australia. Not to be copied, redistributed or uploaded to other platforms including AllTrails.

You Yangs Peaks Circuit (return via West Walk) | 13km

This slight variation returns you to the trail head via West Walk rather than East Walk as per the hike above.

Total distance: 13044 m
Max elevation: 332 m
Min elevation: 70 m
Total climbing: 718 m
Total descent: -721 m

GPX files, maps and content are copyright Trail Hiking Australia. Not to be copied, redistributed or uploaded to other platforms including AllTrails.

Safety and preparation

Think safety first

Australian conditions can turn a small oversight into a serious situation faster than most walkers expect. The Hiking Safety Systems and planning calculators are designed to help you identify and close those gaps before you leave home. Work through the Interactive Safety Scenarios to see how incidents unfold, then use the tools to build your plan and make sure a trusted contact has your trip details before you head out.

Let someone know

Before you go, complete a trip intentions form and share it with a trusted contact. Agree on a Late-Back Time and ask them to call 000 (Police) if you have not checked in. A clear trip plan is one of the simplest and most effective safety steps you can take, and it only takes two minutes.

Let someone know your plans →

Heading somewhere remote, off-track or overnight? Use the comprehensive trip intentions form instead — your emergency contact will need more detail. Register your trip plan here →

Free checklists

Download the hiking preparation and safety checklists before leaving home to help you think through your plans. They help ensure important considerations are not overlooked and support safer decision-making on the trail.

Getting there and where to stay

You Yangs Regional Park

Located just over 50 kilometres southwest of Melbourne in Little River, Victoria, You Yangs Regional Park is easily accessible by car. Follow the Princes Freeway (M1) for roughly an hour, with clear signage guiding you to the park entrance at 5 Branch Road. For those coming from Geelong, the park is a convenient 30-minute drive, approximately 25 kilometres away. The park itself is open every day for public enjoyment, but keep in mind closing times vary depending on daylight saving time.

Need a rental car to get you to the hike? Find one here →

Get there with Google Maps

2WD Access
Bitumen Road
Large Car Park
Public Toilets
Picnic Table

Accommodation nearby

Find hotels, cabins, and campgrounds near the trailhead. Click the button below to open an interactive map automatically centred on this hike's location — no searching required.

Accommodation →

Or search accommodation in nearby towns: Avalon, Bacchus Marsh, Geelong, Lara, Little River, Werribee

Explore the region

About the region

You Yangs Regional Park is part of an Aboriginal cultural landscape in the traditional Country of the Wadawurrung People. Parks Victoria respects the deep and continuing connection that Wadawurrung Traditional Owners have to these lands and waters, and we recognise their ongoing role in caring for Country.

Magnificent views, birdlife and a mecca for walkers, horse riders and mountain bikers - welcome to the You Yangs! The distinctive granite peaks of this park rise abruptly from the flat plains below. Flinders Peak and Big Rock have panoramic views out to Melbourne, which is just an hour away.

Explore over 50 kilometres of purpose-built mountain bike trails for beginners and experts. Ride easy, open dirt roads to technical, single-track and adrenaline-pumping downhill trailsor see the diverse scenery of the You Yangs from your car along The Great Circle Drive.

Climb Flinders Peak, the highest point in the You Yangs and be rewarded with uninterrupted views out to Melbourne and Geelong. Come with family or friends and picnic among the boulder-strewn landscape. Choose from nine designated picnic areas.

The You Yangs support a rich variety of plant species. Tall eucalypts such as manna gum, yellow gum and river red gum give way to sparse undergrowth of native shrubs and groundcovers. Patches of wattle and drooping sheoaks also occur. The endangered brittle greenhood orchid is one of 30 species of orchids found in the park.

The park provides a range of habitats for wildlife. More than 200 species of birds have been recorded and koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, brush-tail possums, echidnas and lizards are commonly seen.

Explore nearby hikes

Photo gallery

Do you have any photos from this hike?
Your photos can help others plan. Share shots from along the trail so fellow hikers know what to expect.

Weather on the trail

You Yangs Regional Park

The map below shows the rain forecast for the trail area. Tap the toggle in the top right corner to explore other layers including wind, temperature, UV index, thunderstorms, fire danger, and weather warnings — all useful for planning a safe hike.

Trail Reviews

9 Reviews on “You Yangs Peaks Circuit Hike (12.8km)”

Overall rating

Rez Rez

It’s in my back yard and I am there often.
Lately I am picking up dog crap, people’s rubbish and roo bodies off the road.
People are traipsing off trail and destroying natural habitats and flora.
It’s not a big park and there is not a lot of space for animals to hide so they run onto surrounding roads.
Stick to the trails there are many.

14/07/2024, 10:55

Like
Log in to Reply
1. Trail Hiking Australia
  
  Rez Rez oh that’s a very good point. I wrote up this hike many years ago when that park was not popular and I was practicing my off-trail navigation. So the impact was low and people were mindful. Will have to consider removing this one from my site as I’d hate the environment to be impacted.
  
  14/07/2024, 11:21
  
  Like
  Log in to Reply
2. Darren Edwards
  
  Rez Rez I have added this note to the walk: This hike involves significant off-trail navigation and exposes fragile ecosystems to damage. Due to the risk of environmental impact, this hike is strongly discouraged. I urge hikers to respect the park and choose from the many established trails available. I will still consider removing it from my site but I know it is available on other platforms, so I hope the note encourages people to keep the the established tracks.
  
  14/07/2024, 11:34
  
  Like
  Log in to Reply
3. Rez Rez
  
  Darren Edwards thank you so very much.
  
  14/07/2024, 13:23
  
  Like
  Log in to Reply
4. Trail Hiking Australia
  
  Rez Rez my pleasure. Certainly didn’t want to encourage adverse impact on the environment
  
  14/07/2024, 13:49
  
  Like
  Log in to Reply
Koonung Bushwalking Club

Mani Andreetta Joan VB Steven Parker Muriel Pepper Peter Ho

13/07/2024, 18:39

Like
Log in to Reply
1. Muriel Pepper
  
  Koonung Bushwalking Club this part of the circuit I do when I am out there. I try making it a bit different and longer every time.
  
  13/07/2024, 21:24
  
  Like
  Log in to Reply
2. Trail Hiking Australia
  
  Muriel Pepper there’s so many possibilities for variation. Fun park to explore.
  
  14/07/2024, 10:41
  
  Like
  Log in to Reply
3. Muriel Pepper
  
  Trail Hiking Australia lots of possibilities using various modes: hiking, cycling, horseriding ….
  
  14/07/2024, 16:07
  
  Like
  Log in to Reply
Trail Hiking Australia

Fun little hike this one. Half of it is offtrail so it’s been good for practicing map and compass navigation. Good features for taking bearing from and to.

12/07/2024, 22:32

Like
Log in to Reply
Darren Edwards Trail Author

Live this one. Great little off trail hike. Perfect for some navigation practice.

11/09/2023, 17:02

Like
Log in to Reply
Lorelle Baylee

Where on the trail is that overhanging rock? I go to the You Yang’s at least once or twice a month and I’ve never been able to find it.

24/03/2022, 05:17

Like
Log in to Reply
1. Darren Edwards Trail Author
  
  The overhanging rock (cave) is not in any of the known trails. You’d have to be following this walk and you can find the cave on the eastern side of the valley. I can’t share a pic here so it’s a hit hard to explain.
  
  11/09/2023, 17:01
  
  Like
  Log in to Reply
Richmond Matt Bayliss

Tony Bayliss

24/03/2022, 05:17

Like
Log in to Reply
Brad Dyson

Melissa Mathews Shane Mathews

24/03/2022, 05:17

Like
Log in to Reply
Nicole Kate

Nicki Lowther

24/03/2022, 05:17

Like
Log in to Reply
Abhilasha Jha

Stephanie

24/03/2022, 05:17

Like
Log in to Reply
Michelle Betsarkis

Stephanie Louise Betsarkis this sounds like a good starting hike.

24/03/2022, 05:17

Like
Log in to Reply
Eileen Cole

Sandra Coutts Karen Millard Louise Cooke

24/03/2022, 05:17

Like
Log in to Reply
Brian Sushames

Kim Mc Donald

24/03/2022, 05:17

Like
Log in to Reply
Matt Girdler

Larissa Machado Tobias

24/03/2022, 05:17

Like
Log in to Reply
Marnye Lockwood

Lawrence Lockwood

24/03/2022, 05:17

Like
Log in to Reply
Pamela Evers

Cristina Almada let’s do this

24/03/2022, 05:16

Like
Log in to Reply
Scott Hartog

Angela

24/03/2022, 05:16

Like
Log in to Reply

Leave a Review. Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Acknowledgement of Country

You yangs peaks circuit hike (12. 8km) trail hiking australia

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

Route details

About this trail

Hike summary

Trail notes

Trail difficulty

Grade 4 (Hard)

Planning information

Trail tips

Map and GPX file

You Yangs Peaks Circuit (return via East Walk) | 12.8km

You Yangs Peaks Circuit (return via West Walk) | 13km

Safety and preparation

Think safety first

Let someone know

Free checklists

Getting there and where to stay

Access conditions

Accommodation nearby

Explore the region

About the region

Explore nearby hikes

Branding Yard Trail (5km)

Northern Range Circuit (8km)

You Yangs Circuit Hike (12.3km)

Big Rock via Rockwell Road Walk (3.2km)

Photo gallery

Weather on the trail

Trail Reviews

9 Reviews on “You Yangs Peaks Circuit Hike (12.8km)”

Leave a Review. Cancel reply

Notice something different about this trail?

Acknowledgement of Country

Curated by: Darren Edwards | Trail Hiking Australia

Last modified:

Tips and advice

Get involved

About