The Best Hikes in High Country Victoria 2023

We acknowledge that these adventures are located on Bidawal, Dhudhuroa, Gurnnai/Kurnai, Jatimathang, Mitambuta, Monero-Ngarigo, Ngarigu and Taungurung, Waywurru, and Gunaikurnai Nations. We pay our respects to them as the Traditional Custodians and recognise that sovereignty was never ceded.

Highlights:

• Hikes in Falls Creek
• Hikes in Mt Hotham
• Hikes in Mt Buller and Mt Stirling

You know that High Country Victoria is one of the best places to hike in Aus. Or maybe you don’t, but you’ve heard rumours – whispers of rocky summits that soar above lush valleys, a land covered in cabins to shelter from the harsh winters that gnarl the Snow gums.

Also Read:

• Camping in Victoria – 14 Idyllic Sites to Camp This Weekend
• Best Snow Camping Places in Victoria
• Best Sunset Hikes Around Victoria
• Best Dog Friendly Hikes in Victoria [including Waterfalls]
• Best Dog Friendly Camping Sites in Victoria
• Best Multiday Hikes Victoria has to Offer

Or maybe we just pulled you in with that epic photo. Either way, I’m here to tell you that hiking in High Country is an absolutely dreamy way to spend your summer. Wildflowers bloom and snowmelt fills the streams.

But where to go first? I’ve broken up the best hikes in High Country Victoria by location below, and we’ve also done in-depth guides to hiking and mountain biking at Falls Creek, Mt Hotham, Mt Buller & Mt Stirling, and the valley towns of Harrietville and Mt Beauty.

Hikes in Falls Creek

Falls Creek is a gateway to the Bogong High Plains, an alpine plateau loved by hikers for its unique heath and wetland environment, historic stockmen’s huts, and accessibility. With trails and campgrounds all over, it’s the perfect place to pull out a map and get creative.

Ropers Lookout

Distance: 4km
Difficulty: Beginner

Ropers Lookout is an excellent walk to get your bearings once you arrive at Falls Creek. You’ll wind along a fire trail that follows a creek (it’s actually an aqueduct that flows into Rocky Valley Dam, the highest significant body of water in Australia at 1600m!) before ascending into the Snow gums.

After a cheeky single track meander you’ll emerge into an alpine meadow before the final ascent of the basalt knoll that forms the lookout. Take in the panoramic views of Falls Creek Resort and beyond, before heading back the way you came.

Looking for a place to stay? Diana Alpine Lodge has comfy rooms and Lisa prepares home-cooked meals to refuel after a big day of hiking.

Mountain and Castle Trail

Distance: 4.5km
Difficulty: Intermediate

The Mountain and Castle Trail takes you to the highest driveable point in the Southern Hemisphere. Take that Charlotte Pass! 

But you ain’t no driver, you’re a hiker! So leave the wheels behind and stretch the legs to reach this impressive point at the summit of Mt McKay, 1849m above sea level. 

On the hike up, you’ll pass by some of Falls Creek’s best ski runs, an unusual column outcrop of basalt rock (for which Ruined Castle gets its name), and peer across Falls Creek itself alongside the Bogong High Plains. 

Once you reach the tippity-top, you’ll gain views out to Mt Bogong, Mt Feathertop, and Mt Hotham, and feel like you’re much more worthy of the spectacle than those who meandered up in the car.

Wallaces Heritage Trail

Distance: 6.85km
Difficulty: Beginner

High Country Victoria is dotted with historic alpine huts and Falls Creek is particularly blessed. There are many ways to approach the Wallaces Heritage Trail, so it’s super flexible. Wallaces Hut itself is the oldest cattlemen’s hut in Aus (it’s from 1889!) and it’s only a wheelchair-accessible 750m walk from the car park. It’s also an Instagram sensation, so by all means get the snap, but make sure you tread lightly.

You can continue onto Cope Hut, which was built in the 1920s to accommodate the skiing boom, and visit the off-grid Rover Scout chalet – Rovers have been active in the region for many years. The campground at Cope Hut has some stunning tent platforms nestled amongst the wildflowers if you’d like to incorporate it into a longer walk.

Fainter Falls

Distance: 1.5km return
Difficulty: Beginner

On the Bogong High Plains road up to Falls Creek a little stop off is well worth your while. After a short walk following Pretty Valley stream you’ll come to Fainter Falls – a series of stunning cascades surrounded by large ferns and gums that reach to the sky. Best of all, it’s almost always flowing strongly, thanks to the cloud-catching mountain ranges above.

Photo by Victoria’s High Country

Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing

Distance: 37km
Difficulty: Advanced

You can hike all the way to Mt Hotham if you like! It’s a 105km drive but only 37km between the two resorts! And it’s officially a three day hike, but many people do it over two. 

Expect to see a whole range of alpine flora and fauna, from wildflowers to the endangered mountain pygmy possum, as you hike through heathland and descend into the valley.

The Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing can be tackled a number of ways. There’s a shuttle for $80 during peak weekends, a Facebook group to help people find lifts, or all-inclusive guided options (some even include gourmet food and bag transfers).

Hikes in Mt Hotham

Despite being fairly close to Falls Creek (as the Black cockatoo flies), Mt Hotham has a distinctly different flavour, thanks to its sharp ridgelines and deep valleys. You’ll spend more time walking amongst Snow gums than traipsing elevated plateaus.

The Huts Walk

Distance: 18km
Difficulty: Intermediate to Advanced

The Huts Walk takes in three High Country huts near Mt Hotham, all with different histories that paint a picture of how the region developed. Walking clockwise, you’ll first come upon Derrick Hut, built in 1967 as a memorial to a skier who died in a blizzard. Huts are now only for emergency use, but they are always surrounded by great grass for camping and often have a toilet.

Continue down the ridgeline to Spargo’s Hut, it’s one of the oldest structures in the region, built by prospector Bill Spargo in 1927-28 to support his mining ventures (he also helped establish skiing at Mt Hotham!).

Silver Brumby Hut is different again! Originally built in 1992 for the Aussie film ‘Silver Brumby’, the replica was built by a bunch of local community groups in 2006-07. The picnic table next to Swindlers Creek is perfect for a bite to eat before the big hike out of the valley, back to Mt Hotham (and The Genny, for a well-deserved beer).

Alpine Nature Experience guide this hike as part of their ‘Hike & Feast’ experience, complete with a gourmet dinner, G&Ts, and the possibility of eco-glamping. Go on, treat yo self.

Mt Feathertop and the Razorback Ridge walk

Distance: 22km return
Difficulty: Advanced

This is one of the best day walks in Australia. Starting from Diamantina Hut you instantly begin walking along a sharp ridgeline, catching glimpses of Mt Feathertop, Victoria’s second-highest mountain, in the distance. The route is clearly marked, but very exposed, so prepare for a big day out and start early!

You’ll want extra time to check out Federation Hut, as well as ample summit time. With a car shuffle or transfer from the Snowline Hotel you can make your walk one-way and mostly downhill via the Bon Accord or Bungalow Spur tracks.

Mount Loch Summit

Distance: 3.5km one way
Difficulty: Intermediate

The track out to Mt Loch is nice and open, with uninterrupted views out to the Razorback, Mt Feathertop, and Mt Buffalo in the northwest, and back towards Hotham Village in the southeast. Park at the Loch car park and follow the Australian Alpine Walking Track to pole 60. You’ll then follow a vehicle track past basalt columns to the summit cairn (a great spot for a snap!). Then head back the way you came, or continue onto the Huts Walk from the base of Mount Loch.

Hikes in Mt Buller and Mt Stirling

The Twin Peaks of Mt Buller and Mt Stirling offer a playground whatever you fancy. Mt Buller brings resort vibes, with downhill mountain biking and skiing, while Mt Stirling offers remote hiking between backcountry huts. The valleys are particularly lush, with thick fern forests and mossy boulders.

Two Peaks Walk

Distance: 36km
Difficulty: Intermediate

The Two Peaks hike starts deep in the valley and winds along the Delatite River, crossing countless log bridges as snow melt flows below. You’ll see cool forest give way to Alpine ash and Snow gums (and countless micro-environments in between) as you climb a whole vertical kilometre to the Bluff Spur Memorial Hut and campground.

On day two you’ll hike over to Corn Hill, before continuing to Mt Buller, where you can finish your hike or grab a shower and a feed and continue your hike off the mountain.

High Country Hiking Tours offer particularly excellent tours of the region. Book in for anything from transfers to a full-service trip (they’ll even transport your overnight pack!).

Summit Nature Loop

Distance: 5.9km loop
Difficulty: Beginner

You’ve gotta stand on top of Mt Buller. This walk starts at the Clock Tower, and follows primo singletrack through boulder fields that house pygmy possums! 

You’ll see the entire Mt Buller village below you and gain epic views of The Bluff and Mt Stirling from the 1805m summit. The Summit Nature Loop is a favourite for sunrise or sunset – add post-hike coffee or beer as appropriate.

@kaleonthetrails

Craigs Hut

Distance: 3.5km return
Difficulty: Beginner

Craigs Hut is iconic. Originally constructed for the film The Man From Snowy River, it’s since become a destination for hikers and photographers (there’s a fair bit of overlap there, funny that).

While doable as part of longer walks, Craigs Hut can also be accessed by this much shorter section of singletrack, which begins from the Circuit Road Picnic Area. If you’ve got an equipped 4WD you can drive straight there too, but I reckon that’s cheating.

On the subject of cheating, An Evening At Craig’s is a hike and dine experience involving luxe accommodation, the hike to the hut, and a gourmet dinner on arrival. Or you could just schlep a bottle of wine up there along with your tent, the best thing about Mt Stirling is that the choice is up to you.

Craigs Hut | @kaleonthetrails