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Length: 18.8km
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Duration: 6hrs
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Grade: 3
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Style: Circuit
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Start: Mount Macedon Hotel
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End: Mount Macedon Hotel
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Location: Macedon Ranges
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Closest Town: Mount Macedon
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Distance from CBD: 65km
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State: VIC
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Latitude: -37.40144054
Longitude: 144.587513
Keep the Trail Access info current...
Public Transport
2WD Access
Public Toilets
Select items to indicate conditions for access to the trail.
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
Keep the Trail Features current...
Heritage Walk
Rough Trail
Undefined Trail
Steep Terrain
Macedon Ranges...
Select items to indicate features found along the trail.
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
Trail Running
Horse Riding
Hike 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 Mount 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 Mount Towrong. This is a short climb to a large rock cairn which marks the summit.
From Mount 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.
About the region
The Macedon Ranges is a region in Central Victoria, known for its expansive native forests, vibrant arts scene, thriving food and wine industries (including weekly farmers' markets) and natural attractions such as Hanging Rock and Mount Macedon. It is located in between the cities of Bendigo and Melbourne.
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.
GPX File
Max elevation: 1000 m
Min elevation: 602 m
Total climbing: 787 m
Total descent: -788 m
Hikes Nearby
8 thoughts on “Macedon Ranges Walking Trail (18.8km)”
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Alan Dow
is this one of the trails you have told me about Julia Claire?
Naaaah. But I’m sure it’s lovely!
Erica Elliott this will be good training….
I found the climb at the start of this one a bit too much. Granted, I was carrying a combined 20kgs of toddler and backpack, but it did me in by the time I was about 1/3 to 1/2 the way up – the height gain on each step was more than I could manage comfortably.
We did this anti clockwise, loved it. We quite liked the steep 1/3 in and 1/3 end. Still have to figure out the scenic route down from Camel Hump which joins up with the Emergency Trail but it was too wet.
The first climb up to the cross completely destroyed me, i’m way less fitter than i first thought, Doing this in the wet made it slippery and twice as hard, and the climb down from Mt Towrong was also abit gnarly with its slippery rocky rapid decent, Middle part of the trail was quite enjoyable.
Stopped at the cafe at the cross was a great way to warm up and refuel for the journey ahead. Trails are easy to follow with very little other traffic to pass you by.