Mt Burrowa and The Pimple is a 16.3km, grade 4 Return hike located in Burrowa-Pine Mountain National Park Victoria. The hike should take approximately 7-8hrs to complete.

Summary

The Mt Burrowa and The Pimple hike is long and strenuous and the track may be poorly defined in places. From The Ridge carpark the track climbs steeply to The Pimple. This rocky outcrop sits atop sheer rhyolite cliffs and offers excellent views over some of the more remote and rugged areas of the park. The track continues south towards Hinces Saddleon then, turning right, to the summit of Mt Burrowa (1300m) with a number of very steep climbs and descents. It features a variety of vegetation types as altitude and aspect change.

The route, in either direction, is marked with orange arrows on the trees but the tracks are ill-defined and the walks are steep and rough. No water is available along the route so it is necessary to take your own and ensure adequate daylight is available. Snow and strong winds can be encountered in winter so be sure to take warm clothes and a waterproof jacket. The walk takes in many changes in altitude, aspect and vegetation, including peppermint and gum forest, blue gums in the moist gullies, alpine ash on the sheltered southern slopes and snow gum on the ridges.

Return via the same route. If camping overnight, Hinces Saddle, a broad, open area, is a logical campsite.

Camping

Basic visitor facilities are located at Bluff Creek, near the main entrance to the park, and also at Blue Gum Camp, Hinces Creek and Pine Mountain. If camping overnight, Hinces Saddle, a broad, open area, is a logical campsite.

Getting there

The park is located approximately 120 km east of Albury-Wodonga and 25 km northwest of Corryong. It lies between the Murray Valley Highway and the Murray River. Access to many popular visitor areas is from the all-weather Cudgewa Bluff Road, which passes through the park and is a pleasant scenic drive. The turnoff to The Ridge carpark runs off the Cudgewa Bluff Rd.

About the region

The Burrowa-Pine Mountain National Park is a national park in the Hume region of Victoria, Australia. The 18400ha national park is situated approximately northeast of Melbourne and east of Albury-Wodonga. The park stretches between Walwa Creek in the north-west and Cudgewa Creek in the southeast , both tributaries of the Murray River. There you will find Pine Mountain, one of the largest monoliths in the southern hemisphere, which is 1.5 times the size of Uluru. Another peak is Mount Burrowye.

Tips

The park has limited permanent water sources – carry adequate drinking water when walking.
Walking conditions can be rough and rocky areas slippery when wet – wear sturdy footwear.
Cliffs and rocky bluffs occur within the park – be alert near the edge and look out for falling rocks.
Remote walking tracks may be poorly defined – carry an adequate map and compass or GPS.
Longer walking tracks require a good level of fitness and experience

Overnight hikes

A combination of walking and 4WD tracks may be used to form extended hikes. Popular overnight hikes, which may all be walked in reverse, include:

• Bluff Falls to The Ridge – via Black Mountain and Mt Burrowa (approx. 22 km, 14 hrs)
• Bluff Falls to Hinces Creek – via Black Mountain (approx. 17 km, 10 hrs)
• Hinces Creek to The Ridge – via Mt Burrowa (approx. 19 km, 13 hrs). This route may also be walked as a loop using Cudgewa Bluff Road to return to the start point
• Hinces Saddle, a broad, open area, is a logical campsite for these overnight walks