Hike at a Glance

Quick overview: Experience a challenging hike on the Mount Buller via North Ridge trail, located in Victoria's Alpine National Park. This difficult, 9.2km one-way trail starts at Mirimbah Picnic Ground and ends at Mount Buller Summit, offering a steep, unrelenting climb through dense undergrowth with serious rock climbing sections. As this trail is 242km from Melbourne and near the town of Mansfield, good navigation skills and stamina are essential. Be prepared for a 1300m ascent without a track, making this a true test for seasoned bushwalkers.

Length:

9.2km

Duration:

4.5 hrs

Grade:

Style:

One Way

Max elevation: 1790m

Min elevation: 676m

Total Ascent: 1513m

Start: Mirimbah Picnic Ground

End: Mount Buller Summit

Alpine National Park

Victoria

Nearby town: Mansfield

From state capital: 242km

Latitude: -37.11101638401319

Longitude: 146.4010190757496

Overview

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Important info

This is a challenging hike that should not be underestimated. Do not attempt this hike during Winter unless you are experienced in Alpine conditions and have the necessary equipment for snow hiking (crampons/ice axe/snow shoes). This hike requires that you have a sufficient level of navigation experience, equipment (in good working order), fitness and self-reliance. It is vital that you take personal responsibility for ensuring you are prepared!

Hike overview

The Mount Buller via North Ridge hike is a tough introduction to Victoria's Alpine Area and represents one of the more intense approaches to the summit of Mount Buller. There is not track, it is steep, unrelenting and requires exceptional navigation skills and stamina as you fight through the dense undergrowth.

The hike commences from a carpark on Loch Street near the Toll Gate to the Mount Buller Alpine Resort, opposite the Mirimbah Picnic Ground. Locate Buller Creek to the south and proceed through the dense bush, following the creek for approximately 2km to the base of North Ridge Spur.

If you think this section is tough going, turn around and walk back to your car as the challenge is only about to begin.

On locating the spur, follow the high point, south-east until you reach the summit of Mount Buller. It will be long and stead climb to the summit as there is no track and the route involves serious rock climbing on the spur with up to 75% gradient. On reaching the summit, you will have ascended close to 1300m.

If you have the time and inclination, you can return to the trail head via the same route. It is recommended to organise a car shuffle for this hike and don't forget to let someone know your intentions. It is very easy to become lost in this isolated area.

Tips

Recommended as a one way hike due to time required
Very dense forest, very slow, about 6-7 hrs to do total distance of 9 km
There is no track and the route involves serious rock climbing on the spur with up to 75% gradient
Only for the very fit, this involves close to 1300m of accumulated vertical ascent.
This is a challenging hike that should not be underestimated. Do not attempt this hike during Winter unless you are experienced in Alpine conditions and have the necessary equipment for snow hiking (crampons/ice axe/snow shoes)
This hike requires that you have a sufficient level of navigation experience, equipment (in good working order), fitness and self-reliance. It is vital that you take personal responsibility for ensuring you are prepared!

Track grade

Grade 5 (Difficult) - Walks for the Most Experienced: Grade 5 represents the most challenging walking tracks on the AWTGS. These are only recommended for very experienced and fit walkers with specialised skills, including navigation and emergency first aid. Tracks are likely to be very rough, very steep, and unmarked. Walks may be more than 20 kilometers. These challenging walks demand a high level of fitness and experience to navigate difficult terrain, significant elevation changes, and potentially unformed paths.

Walk map and GPX file
Mount Buller - North Ridge Hike (9.2km)

Total distance: 9201 m
Max elevation: 1790 m
Min elevation: 676 m
Total climbing: 1513 m
Total descent: -465 m

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Getting there

Getting to the trailhead: Alpine National Park.

From Melbourne, take the Hume Fwy/National Highway M31, C382, Goulburn Valley Hwy/B340, B300 and Mount Buller Rd/C320 to Summit Rd in Mount Buller. Continue along Summit Road Drive to the Mirimbah Picnic Ground. The hike commences from a carpark on Loch Street near the Toll Gate to the Mount Buller Alpine Resort, opposite the Mirimbah Picnic Ground.

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

Get there with Google Maps

About the region

The Alpine National Park is a national park in the Central Highlands and Alpine regions of Victoria, Australia. The 646,000-hectare national park is located northeast of Melbourne. It is the largest National Park in Victoria, and covers much of the higher areas of the Great Dividing Range in Victoria, including Victoria's highest point, Mount Bogong at 1,986 metres and the associated subalpine woodland and grassland of the Bogong High Plains. The park's north-eastern boundary is along the border with New South Wales, where it abuts the Kosciuszko National Park.

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: Barwite, Bonnie Doon, Goughs Bay, Jamieson, Kevington, Macs Cove, Maindample, Mansfield, Merrijig, Merton, Mount Buller, Mount Buller Village, Sawmill Settlement, Tolmie

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 Alpine 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.

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Mount Buller - North Ridge Hike (9.2km)

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Acknowledgement of Country

Mount buller - north ridge hike (9. 2km)

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

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