Length: 6.7km
Duration: 5-6hrs
Grade: 4
Style: Circuit
Start: Hollow Mountain Carpark
End: Hollow Mountain Carpark

Location: Grampians National Park
Closest Town: Horsham
Distance from CBD: 284km
State: VIC
Latitude: -36.891346
Longitude: 142.375754

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Stapylton Ampitheatre is a 6.7km, grade 4 circuit hike, located in the Grampians National Park, Victoria. The hike should take approximately 5-6hrs to complete.

Warning

This is a demanding hike that is not for the faint-hearted or ill-prepared. It includes exposed ledges, serious rock scrambling and challenging route finding

Hike Summary

This Stapylton Ampitheatre hike, suitable for fit and energetic walkers, can involve water crossings, slippery track surfaces, rock hopping and rock scrambling and unassisted climbing through the wind scoured caverns of Echo Block. Along the way you will enjoy splendid vistas of iron-stained cliffs, rocky outcrops, densely vegetated gullies, woodland of banksias, grass-trees, native pines, eucalypts and the impressively natural Stapylton amphitheatre. The narrow ridge linking Hollow Mountain with Mt Stapylton Ampitheatre is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular regions in Victoria.

This demanding hike is not for the faint-hearted as a substantial part of the hike involves exposed scrambling and some tricky route finding. At one point you will need to scramble up through caves to gain the top of Echoes Block.

If you are experienced, nimble and have a head for heights then this exciting hike will be an unforgettable experience.

What to take

Read The essentials you should always carry on a day hike

About the region

Renowned for rugged mountain ranges, rich cultural heritage and breathtaking scenic views, the 168,000 hectare park is ideal for a wide range of outdoor activities. The many walking tracks will take you on a journey to waterfall vistas, ancient geological rock features and forests. There are guided tours, and with a large network of roads available, car touring is a great way to explore. Renowned as the major attraction in the region, the Grampians National Park is a must-visit destination for all travellers, backpackers and day-trippers in Victoria. The spectacular setting of the mountainous landscape boasts a wide array of attractions and activities for visitors to the region. The Grampians National Park (also Gariwerd), commonly referred to as The Grampians, is a national park located in the Grampians region of Victoria, Australia. The 167,219-hectare (413,210-acre) national park is situated between Stawell and Horsham on the Western Highway and Dunkeld on the Glenelg Highway, 260 kilometres west of Melbourne and 460 kilometres east of Adelaide.

Getting there

From Melbourne, follow the Western Highway through Stawell (235km) to Dadswells Bridge (and the big Koala). Continue on for 10.8km to turn left along Dadswell Bridge Road (signposted for Mount Zero). Follow the sealed road for 3km to turn left on unsealed Flat Rock Road. Drive for 3km to a t-intersection. Turn right on the Mount Zero-Halls Gap Road and follow it or 1.4km to turn left into Hollow Mountain Carpark.

GPX File

Total distance: 6738 m
Max elevation: 536 m
Min elevation: 206 m
Total climbing: 519 m
Total descent: -485 m

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Hikes Nearby

7 thoughts on “Stapylton Ampitheatre (6.7Km)”

katerock says:

25/03/2016 at 15:42

One of my favourites in the Grampians. Highly recommend avoiding this one in the wet as the rocks get very slippery 🙂

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1. Darren Edwards says:
  
  28/03/2016 at 22:13
  
  Agreed. Not a great hike in the wet 🙂
Derek Chung says:

19/01/2020 at 01:36

Which direction is easier? Mt Stapylton to Hollow Mt or the other way?

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1. Darren Edwards says:
  
  19/01/2020 at 23:19
  
  Hi Derek. I have done this hike in both directions and found it much easier to start at Hollow Mountain. It is easier to find the trail in this direction.
2. Larisaa Barrows says:
  
  04/10/2020 at 10:32
  
  Wow, looks great. How wide is the void you have to jump over, would you take your kids on this hike? Is it rock scrambling like cathedral ranges or harder? We’ve done lots of longer hikes with kids in the Grampians, just not sure about the exposure on that one. Thanks!
3. Darren Edwards says:
  
  04/10/2020 at 10:45
  
  The void would be around 50-75cm but it is not the distance that is the challenge. It is staring down at the 30m drop below. Brought my wife to tears and we had to find a way around. The navigation is also challenging on this one as there are no trail or markers between Stapylton and Hollow mountain. It is similar to sugarloaf in terms of scrambling.
  
  There is a photo in the hike gallery that looks like we are scaling a vertical cliff. We were. This is not part of the route, it was just some exploring we decided to do. But I should add that you may have to search for the best path as they are not always obvious.
  
  Regarding taking your kids. I’ve taken mine but I know their capabilities and spirit of adventure. I’d love to say take your kids but I can’t really do that without knowing them. If you are confident in their scrambling and navigation skills then they would love this.
  
  Regarding the direction of travel, it is easier to Follow some form of trail if you go from Hollow Mountain to Stapylton so that may be worth considering.
  
  Make Sure you climb up through Hollow
  Mountain too. That is a creat part of the hike. You have to climb under the Large rock to access the caves that take you to to the top.
4. Larisaa Barrows says:
  
  04/10/2020 at 11:03
  
  Awesome thanks! I’m tempted to bring some rope and harness – kids are all rock climbers but the possible downside of failing that far freaks me out 🙂
  Your gpx maps are awesome, especially when I go solo. Cheers.