Hike at a Glance

Quick overview: Explore the Pinnacle, a lesser-known but rewarding peak nestled in Lake Eildon National Park, Victoria. Starting and ending at the Jerusalem Creek Day Visitor Area, this 17km circuit is a Grade 4 trail that offers a challenging yet worthwhile six-hour hike. Enjoy impressive panoramic views despite the peak's modest height and navigate through unique, diverse terrain from open grassy rises to the river flat of Barnewall Creek. Located just 155km from Melbourne CBD, and near Eildon town, the Pinnacle trail is a perfect escape into nature's dramatic landscapes.

Length:

17km

Duration:

6 hrs

Grade:

Style:

Circuit

Max elevation: 923m

Min elevation: 303m

Total Ascent: 792m

Start: Jerusalem Creek Day Visitor Area

End: Jerusalem Creek Day Visitor Area

Lake Eildon National Park

Victoria

Nearby town: Eildon

From state capital: 155km

Latitude: -37.27936505

Longitude: 145.9704763

Overview

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Hike overview

Jerusalem Creek Pinnacle Circuit is a rewarding 17-kilometre loop tucked within the rugged beauty of Lake Eildon National Park in Victoria. Rated grade 4, the track demands a decent level of fitness and confidence with uneven terrain, but offers a genuine sense of immersion in the landscape that many trails in the region can't quite match. Most hikers will take around six hours to complete the circuit, with time to pause along the way to appreciate its quieter charms.

Starting at the Jerusalem Creek Day Visitor Area, the trailhead is found about 50 metres along the Jerusalem Creek Track, heading south-west. It’s marked on the left-hand side, with a well-worn footpath and orange metal triangle markers that provide a helpful guide through more remote sections. The walk begins by climbing gently over an open grassy rise, soon dipping into the river flats beside Barnewall Creek. If there’s been recent rainfall, expect muddy patches and a few slick sections underfoot. A small wooden bridge leads you over the creek, and from here, at about 1.4 kilometres in, a signpost confirms you’re on the right track to The Pinnacle.

The climb begins in earnest from this point. Winding steadily out of the gully, the trail follows a defined ridgeline, remaining true to its markers. At first, the ascent is manageable, but the gradient increases the closer you get to the summit. Around the 4-kilometre mark, you’ll reach a cluster of signposts near Rocky Spur. One arrow points north towards Taylors Creek Road, another traces your steps back to Jerusalem Creek Ford, and the last continues south, directing you onwards to The Pinnacle.

The trail briefly flattens before the final, steeper push to the summit. As you near the top, gaps in the trees open to reveal views eastward, including Mount Torbreck in the distance. The summit itself isn’t marked, but you’ll know you’ve reached it when the track begins to drop away towards a seasonal gate, where the walking track intersects with the 4WD-accessible Pinnacle Track. The outlook from the summit is partially obscured by trees, but with a bit of patience, you can spot Mount Howitt to the north-west on a clear day.

Descending from The Pinnacle, the path steepens sharply towards Knowles Gap, then swings west near White Cow Gap. The landscape shifts as you follow the winding ridge line along Gap Track, which gradually leads you downhill towards the flats near Jerusalem Creek. The final stretch, heading north for about two kilometres, retraces the edge of the forest back to where you began.

Though The Pinnacle may not be among Victoria’s highest peaks, the circuit offers a deep sense of connection to the landscape. It’s a track less travelled, where the appeal lies not just in the views, but in the rhythm of walking through country that feels wild, textured, and alive.

Jerusalem Creek Camp Area

There are a half-dozen designated camping areas at Jerusalem Creek, each with about 10 sites. These need to be pre-booked using the Parks Victoria website. Seasonal closure is in place for Jerusalem Creek Camping Areas from the Thursday following Queens Birthday weekend to the Thursday before Cup weekend. The closure is for regeneration and maintenance purposes. Areas 1, 2 and 8 remain open for camping during this time.

Tips

Pet lovers, note: this is the only camping spot in the national park in which dogs are permitted.

Track grade

Grade 4 (Hard) - Challenging Walks for Experienced Walkers: Grade 4 on the AWTGS signifies challenging walking tracks. Bushwalking experience is recommended for these tracks, which may be long, rough, and very steep. Directional signage may be limited, requiring a good sense of navigation. These walks are suited for experienced walkers who are comfortable with steeper inclines, rougher terrain, and potentially longer distances.

Walk map and GPX file
Jerusalem Creek Pinnacle Circuit Hike (17km)

Total distance: 16559 m
Max elevation: 923 m
Min elevation: 303 m
Total climbing: 792 m
Total descent: -792 m

Gallery

Getting there

Getting to the trailhead: Lake Eildon National Park.

The trail head is 155km from Melbourne’s CBD on Jerusalem Inlet, 10 km south of the township of Eildon and reached by following Jerusalem Creek Rd. Once past all Jerusalem campsites a small vehicle ford (concrete base) must be crossed before parking at the Jerusalem Creek Day Visitor Area (space for about 4 cars), on the left.

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

Get there with Google Maps

Access conditions

2WD Access
Gravel Road
Winding Road
Vehicle Ford
Small Car Park

About the region

Lake Eildon National Park is in the northern foothills of Victoria's Central Highlands, 150 km north-east of Melbourne. Situated on the shores of Lake Eildon, the park protects 27,750 ha of rugged hills with open woodlands through to dense forest. It is very scenic and offers the opportunity to experience an array of wildlife, natural and historic features and a wide range of recreational activities. Lake Eildon National Park offers a variety of settings to explore; from open bush in the north, to dense vegetation in the south and east. Enjoy bushwalking, cycling, boating and fishing or try the more adventurous pursuit of waterskiing. Relax in a scenic environment and experience native wildlife.

Find a place to stay

Find Accommodation

Wondering where to stay near this hike? Find accommodation close to the trailhead — hotels, cabins and campgrounds nearby. Click the button to view the interactive map.

Closest towns to this walk: Alexandra, Bonnie Doon, Eildon, Jamieson, Mansfield, Yea

Let someone know

Heading out? Fill in a trip intentions form so someone knows your plans. If things go wrong, they can raise the alarm fast, giving you peace of mind on the trail.

Similar walks nearby

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

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.

Reviews
Jerusalem Creek Pinnacle Circuit Hike (17km)

11 Reviews on “Jerusalem Creek Pinnacle Circuit Hike (17km)”

Overall rating

Angie Kouvrakis

Stratos Kouvrakis our next hike?

24/03/2022, 05:21

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Lizzie Kate

Robyn Shingles put this on the list?

24/03/2022, 05:21

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Michelle Wyard

Martin have you done this ??

24/03/2022, 05:21

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Nath Wong

Ye Cheng You bookmarked

24/03/2022, 05:21

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Leesa Swanson

Suzie Sharp I hope you’re writing a list ?

24/03/2022, 05:21

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Peter Stickland

This is a good hike up to the Pinnacle. Note at the moment there is a lot of fallen timber across the trail (some at head height – ouch!).
Also, as I was short of time I back-tracked 1.5km from the summit and took the faint foot pad across to Taylors Creek Rd, which is then a nice return with occasional views to the east. about 13-14km all up.

24/03/2022, 05:21

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Jay Lewis

Karen Malloch ?

24/03/2022, 05:21

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Cheryl Nash

Like this one .

24/03/2022, 05:21

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Michelle Wyard

Jill we need to do this…

24/03/2022, 05:21

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Diane Donoghue

Tammy this looks good too!

24/03/2022, 05:21

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Stefan Krakka

Jamie Jamie

24/03/2022, 05:21

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Stacey Martin

Belinda Miller

24/03/2022, 05:21

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Beau Farrawell

Dominic Tan we should do this!

24/03/2022, 05:21

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Kristy Hope Arvaj

Aaron Cardy

24/03/2022, 05:21

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Liz Owen

Felicity Kaye – another trip to Eildon??

24/03/2022, 05:21

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Susan Love

Carmen Hollway

24/03/2022, 05:21

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Virginia Cuthbert

Craig Cuthbert ?

24/03/2022, 05:21

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Mark R Reardon

Well l had planned to do this in my build up for Hut2Hut but…… well you know…. lockdown.

09/12/2020, 21:25

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Kylie Davies-Culloden

Jim

09/12/2020, 08:43

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Ben Liston

James Harris

09/10/2020, 22:29

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Acknowledgement of Country

Jerusalem creek pinnacle circuit hike (17km)

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:

May 1, 2025

Hike at a Glance