The Constitution & Echo Point Hike (22km)

The Constitution and Echo Point hike offers a rewarding and varied journey through Mount Buffalo National Park, stretching across 22 kilometres with an elevation profile that demands moderate fitness. This Grade 4 trail is typically completed in around seven hours, offering a quieter and more remote approach to Mount Buffalo than many of the park’s more frequented routes.

The walk begins just outside the township of Ovens, where you’ll join Nine Mile Track from Selzers Lane, near a cluster of hydroponic sheds. Though the track initially seems to pass through private land, it’s a public access road. As is always the case when walking near farmland, leave gates as you find them. The trail heads south, then curves southeast along an old fire road that climbs steadily through foothill forest. Early on, the wide track leads you gently upwards, gaining roughly 300 metres of elevation over the first four kilometres. The surrounding ridgeline gradually narrows, and you’ll find yourself walking between two valleys—Buffalo Valley stretching out to your left and the Ovens Valley unfolding on your right.

Around the eight-kilometre mark, the trail reaches The Constitution, a prominent rise along the ridge. Keep to the main road here, heading south. Several spurs lead away from this point, but the main route continues until it intersects with Mount Buffalo Tourist Road near a locked gate. Turn right and follow the bitumen for about 800 metres. Shortly after, the Rollasons Falls Track appears on your left—a 4-kilometre return walk if you're inclined to explore the falls. Another 100 metres along the road, you’ll encounter the start of The Big Walk, a well-known trail that climbs to the Mount Buffalo plateau.

The Big Walk is a highlight in its own right, renowned for its changing landscapes and ecological diversity. As you climb, you’ll pass through montane forest filled with towering Candlebark Gums and thick beds of Bracken Fern. Listen closely—Grey Fantails, Thornbills, and other native birds are often nearby. Keep an eye out for Swamp Wallabies slipping between the trees. The trail crosses the main road again before passing an old gravel pit. From there, a short detour leads to Mackeys Lookout, sitting at 920 metres above sea level, where clear skies open up to views of the distant Australian Alps.

Beyond this point, the environment shifts as the forest gives way to granite outcrops and slabs—hallmarks of Mount Buffalo’s unique geology. This section includes parts of the old Zig Zag track, the original route to the summit. The trail here can be slippery underfoot, particularly in damp weather, so tread carefully and follow the orange markers to stay on track. A brief side trip leads to Marriott’s Lookout, offering sweeping views into the Gorge and across to Queen Victoria Pinnacle.

As you gain altitude, you'll notice the flora change once again. Around the 1,150-metre contour, Alpine Ash takes over—often referred to as ‘Woollybutt’—with a dense understorey of native shrubs such as grevilleas and bush peas. At Manfields Junction, the trail reaches its highest point at 1,350 metres. From here, you might take short side trails to Manfields or Reeds Lookout, both offering remarkable perspectives of the surrounding ranges.

Returning to the main track, you’ll find yourself back on the final stretch of The Big Walk. There are two main options to finish the hike: continue straight or take the Gorge Heritage Walk loop, which adds a sense of history and context through interpretive signage. If you veer left at Wilkinson’s Lookout, you’ll be treated to one of the most dramatic views—peering down from the 330-metre North Wall. Climbers are often visible, dotting the sheer granite faces below.

Crystal Brook, which shaped the Gorge over millions of years, flows through this landscape and under the small bridge you'll cross. The track then meanders past the Oval Picnic Area and on towards the Gorge Day Visitor Area, where you’ll find amenities including toilets, picnic shelters, and a network of nearby walking tracks.

Although the iconic Mount Buffalo Chalet remains closed, the surrounds are still rich with lookout points. Bents Lookout and Echo Point are especially rewarding, offering panoramic views down into the valleys and out across the high country. From the lower carpark, other short walks head off toward the Underground River, the Monolith, and Lake Catani, where the campground offers an ideal spot to rest if you're extending your stay.

This hike blends quiet ridgelines, changing forest, and mountain vistas with moments of solitude and connection to place. It’s a route for those seeking both a physical challenge and a deeper experience of Mount Buffalo’s landscape—one that invites you to slow down, observe, and enjoy the unfolding beauty of the Victorian high country.