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Length: 12.8km
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Duration: 4hrs
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Grade: 4
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Style: Circuit
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Start: Turntable car park
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End: Turntable car park
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Location: You Yangs Regional Park
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Closest Town: Little River
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Distance from CBD: 62km
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State: VIC
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Latitude: -37.94928186
Longitude: 144.42561273
Keep the Trail Access info current...
2WD Access
Bitumen Road
Winding Road
Large Car Park
Public Toilets
Picnic Table
Select items to indicate conditions for access to the trail.
2WD Access
4WD Access
Public Transport
Bitumen Road
Gravel Road
Steep Road
Winding Road
Speed Bumps
Vehicle Ford
Entry Fee
Large Car Park
Small Car Park
Accessible Parking
Accessible Toilet
Public Toilets
Drinking Water
Untreated Water
Picnic Shelter
Picnic Table
BBQ Facilities
Campfire Pit
Camping Area
Keep the Trail Features current...
Gravel Path
Rough Trail
Undefined Trail
Exposed Ledges
Rock Scrambling
Steep Terrain
Bush Bashing
Scenic Viewpoints
Sandy Trail
Well Marked
Select items to indicate features found along the trail.
Concrete Path
Timber Boardwalk
Gravel Path
Sandy Trail
Rough Trail
Undefined Trail
Prams & Strollers
Manual Wheelchair
Motorised Wheelchair
Bicycle Trail
Mountain Bike Trail
Historic Rail Trail
Dog Friendly
Urban Walk
Coast & Beach
Historic Lighthouse
Waterfalls & Lakes
Rainforest Walk
Goldfields & Mining
Heritage Walk
Aboriginal Art
Alpine Region
Alpine Huts
Exposed Ledges
Rock Scrambling
Steep Terrain
Bush Bashing
River Crossings
Scenic Viewpoints
Well Marked
Drinking Water
Untreated Water
Fishing Spots
Swimming Spots
Overnight Campsites
Trail Running
Horse Riding
The You Yangs Peaks Circuit is a 12.8km, grade 4 circuit hike, located in You Yangs Regional Park, Victoria. The hike should take approximately 4hrs to complete.
Hike Summary
This circuit is a great hike for anyone looking to improve their off-trail navigation skills as a large portion of this trail is not on formed trails and essentially heads from peak to peak. While the main trails at the You Yangs are rated as grade 3, this circuit is rated as grade 4, simply due to the off-trail navigation requirement. The navigation is not difficult as as long as you keep heading for the peaks you should not get easily lost. Only attempt this hike is you are confident about not following formed trails though.
The You Yangs Peaks Circuit commences at Turntable car park and climbs the 450 steps to Flinders Peak where you are offered rewarding views of the You Yangs and the surrounding plains. From here you will head off-trail from peak-to peak and will rejoin the Northern Range Circuit after your final granite tor ascent. This circuit will provide you with the opportunity to scramble through an overhanging rock and will have countless opportunities for a rock hopping, scrambling and a little bit of unassisted climbing. If you have a fear of heights, don’t worry as there are always alternate routes to be found around these sections.
About the region
The granite peaks of the You Yangs rise dramatically from the surrounding volcanic plains between Melbourne and Geelong. Although only 340 metres high, they dominate the landscape, and are clearly visible from as far away as the bay side of Melbourne and beyond. The You Yangs is a fantastic park for hiking and mountain biking. It has defined walking trails, horse trails and two mountain biking areas with over 50 kilometres of exciting trails catering for riders of all ages and ability. The park is also popular for rock climbing, its magnificent views, birdlife and for bush walks and picnics.
Getting there
The You Yangs Regional Park is 55km southwest of Melbourne CBD and 22km north of Geelong. Access to the park from the Princess Freeway is clearly signposted via Lara.
Tips
- The You Yangs is a great location for the family. Be careful on the trails as they are often used by walkers, hikers, trail runners and MTB riders.
- Opening hours The park is open from 8.00am to 4.30pm year round. Extended hours apply during daylight savings on weekends and public holidays from 8.00am 6.00pm.
You Yangs Peaks Circuit (return via East Walk) | 12.8km
This circuit returns you to the trail head via East Walk.
Total distance: 12756 m
Max elevation: 332 m
Min elevation: 70 m
Total climbing: 713 m
Total descent: -716 m
Download GPX File
You need to be registered and logged in to download GPX Files. If you aren't you will automatically be redirected to the registration/login screen before being returned to this page to download the file. By downloading any GPX files from this site you agree its use, and reliance upon, is entirely at your own risk. I will endeavour to ensure the accuracy and currency of the data, but accept no responsibility in this regard, or the results of any actions taken, when using the digital route files.Max elevation: 332 m
Min elevation: 70 m
Total climbing: 713 m
Total descent: -716 m
You Yangs Peaks Circuit (return via West Walk) | 13km
This slight variation returns you to the trail head via West Walk rather than East Walk as per the hike above.
Total distance: 13044 m
Max elevation: 332 m
Min elevation: 70 m
Total climbing: 718 m
Total descent: -721 m
Download GPX File
You need to be registered and logged in to download GPX Files. If you aren't you will automatically be redirected to the registration/login screen before being returned to this page to download the file. By downloading any GPX files from this site you agree its use, and reliance upon, is entirely at your own risk. I will endeavour to ensure the accuracy and currency of the data, but accept no responsibility in this regard, or the results of any actions taken, when using the digital route files.Max elevation: 332 m
Min elevation: 70 m
Total climbing: 718 m
Total descent: -721 m
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66 thoughts on “You Yangs Peaks Circuit (12.8km)”
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Did this hike with the family yesterday. Heaps of fun
Would you recommend for younger children, 5&8
yeah. Should not be any issues at all. You can easily walk around all of the rocky sections so no real scrambling or climbing is requires unless you want to
great, thanks!
Sara Lonergan probably the hardest part is the descent from Flinders Peak as the bush is a bit thicker there so if you get past that section the rest will be fine
my kids will think it’s an adventure. Looking forward to trying it out!
Sara Lonergan if you wanted to shorten the hike you can avoid Flinders Peak and start along East walk instead. This take out the hardest part but still leaves plenty of adventure
Bianca Shambrook
Look what popped up David Barr
Julie Everett
Christian Panagopoulos Liam Jordan James Ridgwell
Cassie Pronk I’d like to do this one
Ok, let’s find a date! I’m glad you’re enjoying this xx ?
Simone Amos
The summary makes for interesting reading ..
Cristina Almada Erica Bruenerica bit longer than what we did x
Jason Whittle
You like tagging me in walks than walking itself brother.
I’m tagging u so u can take me lol
Yeah, I’ll believe you when you go.
Bec Barry…. when I get home!!!! Well book a date.
Let’s do this pretty please
Greg Leitch
Thank you. I grew up only a km from the You Yangs so been there a bit and did a lot of my training for Konica there as well
cool haven’t tried hiking or trail running before – but scared of snakes etc
Sarah Freame trail running is awesome. You will love it.
Stephanie Wong this is a classic one. did it with family and with school groups
Martin Tim looks like you go up the peak steps but down a different way.
Andrew Mauff
Unless of course your running ?
Andrew Mauff ??. Just run it.
Shannan Mu apparently there’s a heap or tracks up there.
Andrew Mauff yeah there are a few events too. There is a pretty cool one on NYE i am going to look in to in the next few weeks.
Shannan Mu let us know may be fun
Andrew Mauff Will do.
Samantha Claire?
I’m keen
Looks fun! I’ve done You Yangs but just a shorter version
Stephanie Louise Betsarkis this sounds like a good starting hike.
Yes that looks awesome Mum!
Also if you wanna try a shorter hike when I’m up in November we could do a day trip?
Larissa Machado Tobias
Kim Mc Donald
Where on the trail is that overhanging rock? I go to the You Yang’s at least once or twice a month and I’ve never been able to find it.
Lorelle Baylee this is just off the northern ranges track. It’s a little daunting scrambling through there. Especially when you see what that giant rock is resting on on the other side.
Lorelle Baylee
Lorelle Baylee
Thanks Andrew Joyce, I run out there all the time mostly along the Northern Ranges and Branding Yard but have never noticed it. I’ll look out for it next time. Thanks!
Lorelle Baylee you won’t see it from the track. I found it completely by accident when doing a little off trail wandering.
Andrew Joyce okay I’ll do some exploring ☺️
Dropped pin
Near Little River VIC 3211, Australia
https://goo.gl/maps/1mjZfTDyZoN2 it is roughly near here from memory
Andrew Joyce Thanks! Is that where you’d have come from the saddle, around the side of the mountain and back up out of that valley as you start to head towards branding yard / toynes road?
Stephanie
Abhilasha Jha omg yes!!! Let’s do it!!!
Let me know when, I am in!!
Abhilasha Jha okay I’ll message you maybe in 2 weeks?
no probs
no probs !!
Sandra Coutts Karen Millard Louise Cooke
Melissa Mathews Shane Mathews
Tony Bayliss
Nicki Lowther
Lawrence Lockwood
Cristina Almada let’s do this
Angela
It is beautiful up there. Have been once before.