Macedon Ranges Walking Trail (18.8km)

Length: 18.8km
Duration: 6hrs
Grade: 3
Style: Circuit
Start: Mount Macedon Hotel
End: Mount Macedon Hotel

Location: Mount Macedon
Closest Town: Mount Macedon
Distance from CBD: 65km
State: VIC
Latitude: -37.4014405400
Longitude: 144.5875129600

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Trail Access

Public Transport

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2WD Access

4WD Access

Public Transport

Bitumen Road

Gravel Road

Steep Road

Winding Road

Speed Bumps

Vehicle Ford

Entry Fee

Large Car Park

Small Car Park

Accessible Parking

Accessible Toilet

Public Toilets

Drinking Water

Untreated Water

Picnic Shelter

Picnic Table

BBQ Facilities

Campfire Pit

Camping Area

Trail Features

Heritage Walk

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Concrete Path

Timber Boardwalk

Gravel Path

Sandy Trail

Rough Trail

Undefined Trail

Prams & Strollers

Manual Wheelchair

Motorised Wheelchair

Bicycle Trail

Mountain Bike Trail

Historic Rail Trail

Dog Friendly

Urban Walk

Coast & Beach

Historic Lighthouse

Waterfalls & Lakes

Rainforest Walk

Goldfields & Mining

Heritage Walk

Aboriginal Art

Alpine Region

Alpine Huts

Exposed Ledges

Rock Scrambling

Steep Terrain

Bush Bashing

River Crossings

Scenic Viewpoints

Well Marked

Drinking Water

Untreated Water

Fishing Spots

Swimming Spots

Overnight Campsites

Macedon Ranges Walking Trail is a 18.8km, grade 3 Circuit hike located in Mount Macedon Victoria. The hike should take approximately 6hrs to complete.

Summary

The start of the Macedon Ranges Walking Trail is an easy stroll along a bitumen road from the Mount Macedon Hotel. Soon after reaching the gravel section of the road you will find the start of the main walking trail on your right. It is here that the trail commences the slow and steady ascent of Mt. Macedon.

The path zig-zags, quite steeply in places, for over a kilometre. Pause to catch your breath along the way and you will rewarded with occasional views between the trees. The forest starts to thin towards the summit of Mount Macedon and the trail relents to expose Memorial Cross and stunning views of the surrounding landscape.

From Memorial Cross the trail then follows the Western Face of the mount. It is fairly flat as it passes through messmate forest, some still showing the scars of the forest fires of 20 years ago.

You will pass numerous fire trails before eventually arriving at McGregors Picnic Ground, a great spot to stop for lunch. The picnic ground is large and shaded with large European Trees lining its edges.

Leaving the picnic ground turn right at the trail junction to start the climb towards the Camels Hump. From the Camels Hump carpark it is a short walk to the summit. The views from Camels Hump are well worth the climb. From here you can retrace your steps back to the earlier trail junction of follow the coordinates of this route down through the rocky outcrops to pick up the trail below. Along this section of off-trail you will be rewarded with some stunning rocky outcrops.

Follow the well-formed trail through dense forest until you reach Sanatorium Lake. The lake was created in the 1800’s in order to supply water to the nearby Tuberculosis Sanatorium, but now supplies water to local wildlife such as flame robins, swamp wallabies and white-faced herons.

After enjoying the tranquility of the lake the trail descends steadily along open fire trails before ascending Mt. Towrong. This is a short climb to a large rock cairn which marks the summit.

From Mt. Towrong simply follow the rocky trail along a very steep and rocky descent. Make sure you stop to enjoy the views as this is quite an open forested section of the trail which exposes some amazing views of Macedon and the West. Follow the trail as it descends into the valley below. The trail is rocky in places with stairs to aid your descent. On reaching the road below turn left and follow a gravel road along residential streets and back to the trail head at the Mount Macedon Hotel.

Tips

A varied hike with changing scenery. Hiking poles will be useful on ascents and descents. Carry at least 2 litres of water and food to keep your energy levels up.

Total distance: 18874 m
Max elevation: 1000 m
Min elevation: 602 m
Total climbing: 787 m
Total descent: -788 m

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