The Scenic Rim is a 16.1km, grade 4 Circuit hike located in Lerderderg State Park Victoria. The hike should take approximately 6hrs to complete.

Summary

Rising in the Great Dividing Range, the Lerderderg River has cut a 300 metre deep gorge through sandstone and slate, almost bisecting the park. The park has a wide variety of vegetation and wildlife and some interesting relics of gold mining. This is a fantastic but very strenuous walk. The circuit provides access to some more remote sections of the gorge and also bypasses Lerderderg Weir.

The Scenic Rim hike is a 16km circuit graded DIFFICULT. The trail includes water crossings (possibility of your feet getting wet unless river is dry) 2x steep and steady climbs our of the river from Grahams Dam and the weir. Approximately 4 kilometres total climbing and a significant steep 1.3km downhill section back to Grahams Dam on loose terrain.

Follow the river upstream from Mackenzies Flat Picnic Area to Grahams Dam, which is an attractive pool ideal for swimming. Cross the river at this point and continue along the eastern river bank upstream for approximately 600m (trail marker LER503). Turn right and ascent the 1.6km Spur Track to the top of the range. Turn left when you reach the Lerderderg Tunnel Access Track and follow this a short distance to the track junction. Keep left and pass through the Southern Rural Water gate and descend into the weir below via the well made access road.

From the weir you will pick up the marked trail on the western bank of the river, 25m downstream of the weir. Ascend Long Point Track following a steep and rocky ridge. Continue along this trail until you reach the Blackwood Ranges track at the top of the range.

The Blackwood Ranges track is a well made vehicle track which follows relatively level ground. Follow this track for about 3.8Km to where Link no 2 track emerges on your left. Continue south a further 400m until you reach an information shelter and a fork in the road. Follow this trail a further 200m until you reach Link Track No. 1. on your left.

From this point you will descend back into the gorge along Link Track No. 1, a steep, easy to follow but rocky track. Once you arrive back at Graham’s Dam simply follow the river track back to Mackenzies Flat.

Tips

• Trail can be taken in any direction.
• The river is prone to flooding so avoid after heavy rains.
• Walking poles will be beneficial.
• This is a challenging walk in the Lerderderg Gorge and is for experienced bush walkers only. It is best to do the walk when the river is fairly low, as many crossings are necessary and at times the riverbed itself is the track. Here you can experience remote, unspoiled bush land.
• Map used: Lerderderg and Werribee Gorges by Meridian.

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