You Yangs Peaks Circuit is a 12.8km, grade 4 hike located in You Yangs Regional Park, Victoria. The hike should take around 4 hours to complete.
Warning
This circuit is mostly off trail and should only be undertaken if you have suitable navigation skills. It is likely that off trail walking in this park will require a permit in late 2022 so be sure to check current regulations.
Hike overview
This circuit is a great hike for anyone looking to improve their off-trail navigation skills as a large portion of this trail is not on formed trails and essentially heads from peak to peak. While the main trails at the You Yangs are rated as grade 3, this circuit is rated as grade 4, simply due to the off-trail navigation requirement. The navigation is not difficult as as long as you keep heading for the peaks you should not get easily lost. Only attempt this hike is you are confident about not following formed trails though.
The You Yangs Peaks Circuit commences at Turntable car park and climbs the 450 steps to Flinders Peak where you are offered rewarding views of the You Yangs and the surrounding plains. From here you will head off-trail from peak-to peak and will rejoin the Northern Range Circuit after your final granite tor ascent. This circuit will provide you with the opportunity to scramble through an overhanging rock and will have countless opportunities for a rock hopping, scrambling and a little bit of unassisted climbing. If you have a fear of heights, don't worry as there are always alternate routes to be found around these sections.
Route and GPX file
You Yangs Peaks Circuit (return via East Walk) |Â 12.8km
This circuit returns you to the trail head via East Walk.
Max elevation: 332 m
Min elevation: 70 m
Total climbing: 713 m
Total descent: -716 m
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.
Max elevation: 332 m
Min elevation: 70 m
Total climbing: 718 m
Total descent: -721 m
Tips
The You Yangs is a great location for the family. Be careful on the trails as they are often used by walkers, hikers, trail runners and MTB riders.
Opening hours The park is open from 8.00am to 4.30pm year round. Extended hours apply during daylight savings on weekends and public holidays from 8.00am - 6.00pm.
There are nine picnic areas throughout the park, many with tables and accessable 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.
Trail location
Sorry, no records were found. Please adjust your search criteria and try again.
Sorry, unable to load the Maps API.
Getting there
The You Yangs Regional Park is 55km southwest of Melbourne CBD and 22km north of Geelong. Access to the park from the Princess Freeway is clearly signposted via Lara.
Gallery
If you have any photos from this hike and are happy to share them, please upload your .jpg files here.
Please note: Uploading photos does not transfer ownership of copyright away from you. If requested, you will be credited for any photos you provide and can ask they be deleted at any time.
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.
Similar trails nearby
Explore Safe
While planning your hike, it’s important to check official government sources for updated information, temporary closures and trail access requirements. Before hitting the trail, check local weather and bushfire advice for planned burns and bushfire warnings and let someone know before you go. Plan ahead and hike safely.
Let someone know
Adventure with peace of mind: Fill out your trip intentions form. Before you hit the trail, fill out an online form to privately send important details about your hike to your family or friends. If you don’t return on time, they can easily alert emergency services, preventing worry and ensuring a swift response. Hike with peace of mind and enjoy your outdoor adventure to the fullest. Be smart, be safe: Register your plans here.
Gear to consider
My free planning, food and packing checklists provide an introduction to things your could consider (as well as the Ten Essentials) on your day, overnight and multi-day adventures. Customise your kit according to your personal needs, always considering safety first.Â
Suggest an edit
Does this hikes information need updating? Sometimes the route, trail features or access conditions change.
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.
1 Review on “You Yangs Peaks Circuit Hike (12.8km)”
Live this one. Great little off trail hike. Perfect for some navigation practice.
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.
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.
Tony Bayliss
Melissa Mathews Shane Mathews
Nicki Lowther
Stephanie
Stephanie Louise Betsarkis this sounds like a good starting hike.
Sandra Coutts Karen Millard Louise Cooke
Kim Mc Donald
Larissa Machado Tobias
Lawrence Lockwood
Cristina Almada let’s do this
Angela
Samantha Claire?
Andrew Mauff
Martin Tim looks like you go up the peak steps but down a different way.
Stephanie Wong this is a classic one. did it with family and with school groups
Greg Leitch
Let’s do this pretty please
Bec Barry…. when I get home!!!! Well book a date.
Jason Whittle
Cristina Almada Erica Bruenerica bit longer than what we did x
Simone Amos
Cassie Pronk I’d like to do this one
Christian Panagopoulos Liam Jordan James Ridgwell
Julie Everett
Look what popped up David Barr
Bianca Shambrook
Did this hike with the family yesterday. Heaps of fun