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Length: 21.4km
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Duration: 9-10hrs
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Grade: 4
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Style: Circuit
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Start: Mountain Creek Camping Area
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End: Mountain Creek Camping Area
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Location: Alpine National Park
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Closest Town: Tawonga
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Distance from CBD: 364km
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State: VIC
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Latitude: -36.70056731511059
Longitude: 147.25147057328195
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2WD Access
Drinking Water
Public Toilets
Bitumen Road
Camping Area
Picnic Table
Large Car Park
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...
Overnight Campsites
Drinking Water
Gravel Path
Alpine Huts
Alpine Region
Well Marked
Scenic Viewpoints
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
Mount Bogong – Staircase Spur is a 21.4km, grade 4 Circuit hike located in Alpine National Park Victoria. The hike should take approximately 9-10hrs to complete.
Summary
At 1986 metres high, Mt Bogong is Victoria’s tallest mountain, dwarfing all its rivals. The Mount Bogong – Staircase Spur Trail is the direct route up, beginning at the Mountain Creek Picnic Area and ending at the summit of Mt Bogong.
The track to the summit begins at the Mountain Creek Picnic Area and follows a vehicle track to the foot of the Staircase Spur, where the ascent begins through a forest of Peppermint Gums. Bivouac Hut, about halfway along the climb, offersa welcome resting place before the track passes through Snow Gums and out onto the steep rocky ridge leading to the summit plateau.
The exposed treeless plain of the summit offers little shelter in poor weather. Strong winds, fog, freezing temperatures, rain and snow are all common at this altitude. Navigation can be extremely difficult in these conditions so we will turn back at the tree line if conditions are poor or deteriorating.
From the summit, steeply descend via Eskdale Spur, via Michell Hut to Camp Creek then follow the Mountain Creek and Tree Fern Tracks back to Mountain Creek. The alternative option is to return via the staircase which makes this approximately a 16km return hike.
This is a challenging hike that should not be underestimated. During the winter months you should consider this a Grade 5 hike.
Overnight Camping
If you intend on making this an overnight hike, camping is available outside the following huts.
- Bivouac Hut. Staircase Spur, approximately 6km from the trail head and 3km from the summit. This is a small hut with pit toilet but no water tank.
- Cleve Cole Memorial Hut, approximately 4km south of the summit (this will add to your overall hike length as a return trip is required). This is a small hut with pit toilet and water tank.
- Michhelle Hut, approximately 2km from the summit down Eskdale Spur. This is a small hut with pit toilet and water tank.
Note: Huts in alpine areas are intended for emergency use only and you should not plan to sleep in them or use the emergency firewood.
Getting there
The hike starts and ends at Mountain Creek Camping Area. From Melbourne, drive to the small town of Tawonga (4km north of Mt Beauty). From Towonga, Mountain Creek Roads heads east for 10.5km to the camping area. There are pleasant campsites and a pit toilet here.
Be Prepared
This hike requires that you have a sufficient level of equipment (in good working order), fitness and self-reliance.
Max elevation: 1975 m
Min elevation: 595 m
Total climbing: 1530 m
Total descent: -1530 m
Mount Bogong in winter
22 thoughts on “Mount Bogong – Staircase Spur (21.4km)”
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Thats where we r going in may
Daniel Watson add this to the list please ???
Aaron Pearsall need to do this one
Done a couple up there years ago. You would love it!
I bloody love this mountain 42times up now for meeeeeeee
That’s incredible. You could almost claim squatters rights.
Trail Hiking Australia you bet, I was up there last weekend and there’s still snow over at Cleve col…
Hi Sam,
I am not a experience hiker but I am fit. Just want some advice of preparing for the climb. I do have a camel pack, torch, fit aid kit, good hiking shoes, and food. What would be the best time to go sun rise? I believe it is 19km, however is it cold up there? Do we need to pack for warm cloths up on the top? We are planning to go first week of Jan 2017
Thanks for your questions. All of he gear you mention sounds suitable. As this is an alpine hike you should always take clothing that is suitable for cold weather and even snow (yes, even in summer). Less likely to snow in Victoria in summer but it is better to be prepared for he worst. As it is a 19k hike I would suggest starting no later than 9am in the summer months. Earlier if you can do that you are walking in the cooler air.
Derek Eddy Kaine Sandman
One day, Wittman. One day…
Would be no walk in the park!
Wait…
Kenan Hudaverdi Phu Nguyen post tough mudder ambitions ?
? ?
My friends and I are keen to do this hike in a couple weeks.
Just wanting to clarify, is it 19km one way? or 19km up and back?
Hi Emily. If you refer to the Map and elevation profile on this hike you will not that it is a circuit, not a return hike. The 19.3km is for the total circuit.
Did this hike at the start of May 18 – awesome hike
All went well, fantastic sunny day until about 4pm, close to the top got hit with high wind, whiteout – no visibility.
Missed the turnoff to Michell hut and ended up at the Cleve Cole Hut where we set up camp for the night.
There were a few groups of day walkers unprepared and got stuck on the mountain with no gear.
Tips: be prepared for all conditions and know where options are for refuge in the area
Could not agree more about being prepared. It is nothing but foolish to head out without the necessary gear, particularly in an environment like this. People have died and will continue to if we all don’t take responsibility for ourselves.
Hi Darren/or Anyone with info
it says it’s a 21.4 Hike but everyone in the comments is saying 19.3, has that been updated or is that just a shorter trail? Because I’m interested in the 19.3 to be honest.
Also when it comes to gear, I know the obvious like proper clothing and water+Food. what else should I take, we are a group of around 13 Men/Boys.
your response will be much appreciated 🙂
Thanks Omar
Hi Omar. The length I recorded was on my GPS. Devices can produce different results and there is also the possibility that I walked a bit further looking at view points and checking on the group. You could split the difference and say it’s around 20km. If you happen to take a recording yourself I’d be happy to update the length.
Re gear. All depends on when you are going. If you are heading up before mid-November there will be plenty of snow and ice around so you will need Snow shoes, ice axe and crampons for each member of your party. Some form of emergency shelter is also advisable in case you get caught due to weather or tough conditions.