Mount Torbreck Circuit Hike (9km)

This Mount Torbreck Circuit hike summits the rocky peaks of Mount Torbreck. At 1516 metres high Torbreck is a mountain half way between Marysville and Eildon. It is the westernmost mountain in the high country over 1500 metres and was briefly a designated ski resort in the 1980's, although the only infrastructure built was a picnic table.

From your car, head up the steep road cutting, through a pair of gates that restrict winter access and walk along the unsurfaced Barnewall Plains Road for 1500 metres. At a more open saddle you will see a picnic table to the west (your left) and a signpost to the east indicating the walking track to Mount Torbreck.

The track climbs in an easterly and then south easterly direction, getting steeper around the area where the predominant trees change from woollybutt to snow gum. The track is fairly well defined and orange metal triangles attached to trees make route finding fairly easy, even in winter when the track is covered in snow. It climbs beneath a series of huge granite boulders before reaching the top of Conn Ridge. The route then veers to the north, climbing through boulder studded, open snow gum woodland towards the summit on a more modest gradient.

Trees are more sparse in the summit area which boasts a steel framed trig point and a large rock cairn. On a clear day, views of ranges of hills covered in ash forests in all directions are impressive, as are the views of nearby Lake Eildon and the higher ranges near Mount Buller.

From the summit there are good views along the southern part of Conn Ridge and the second stage of this hike to the summit of Conn Hill. Head south east along the ridge and descend into Cabbage Tree Gap before commencing the short climb to the top of Conn Hill. From the summit, take a bearing south and follow the broad spur down to the saddle of Conn Gap where you will find Gap Road.

Turn north east (right) and follow Gap Road back to the junction of Conn Road and your car.