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You Yangs Peaks Circuit

  • Length: 12.8km

  • Duration: 4hrs

  • Grade: 4

  • Style: Circuit

  • Start: Turntable car park

  • End: Turntable car park

  • Location: You Yangs Regional Park

  • Closest Town: Little River

  • Distance from CBD: 62km

  • State: VIC

  • Latitude: -37.94928186

  • Longitude: 144.4256127

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2WD Access
Bitumen Road
Winding Road
Large Car Park
Public Toilets
Picnic Table
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Gravel Path
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You Yangs Regional Park...

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Timber Boardwalk

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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.

GPX File

Total distance: 12756 m
Max elevation: 332 m
Min elevation: 70 m
Total climbing: 713 m
Total descent: -716 m
Download GPX File

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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.

GPX File

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.


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66 thoughts on “You Yangs Peaks Circuit (12.8km)”

    6. 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

    1. 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

    4. 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.

    1. 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.

    4. 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!

    5. Lorelle Baylee you won’t see it from the track. I found it completely by accident when doing a little off trail wandering.

    8. 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?

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