This 15km Mountain Loop Traverses the Mindjagari Track Network – ACT’s Newest (& Toughest) Set of Trails

Kate trekked a tough 15km loop along the ACT’s fresh Mindjagari Track Network over one very steep and sweaty day.

We Are Explorers acknowledges that this adventure is located on the traditional Country of the Ngunnawal people who have occupied and cared for the lands, waters, and their inhabitants for thousands of years. We pay our respects to them as the Traditional Custodians and recognise that sovereignty was never ceded.

Hiking the Tidbinbilla Peaks has long been known as the (hotly debated) hardest walk in the ACT. It’s steep, scrappy, and for years it was more of a well-worn route than a proper track. That changed with the opening of the Mindjagari Track Network – though the steepness hasn’t gone anywhere.

With over 26km of trails packed with big climbs and rock scrambles, it’s still one for the lovers of Type 2 fun, but the views make the sweat all worth it.

Read more: What is Type 2 Fun? A Guide to the Fun Scale

Quick Overview

The Mindjagari Track Network sits inside Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, less than an hour from Canberra’s CBD. I hiked a 15km loop that started up Snowy Corner Track, followed the Mindjagari Track along the ridge, with a short side trip to The Pimple, then finally dropped down the Camelback Track. It’s a full-day hike rated Grade 5; for advanced hikers only.

Read more: Remember to leave no trace

Quick Facts for the Tidbinbilla Mountain/the Pimple/Johns Peak Loop

Distance: 15km
Duration: Full day
Elevation gain: 840m
Elevation loss: 840m

About the Mindjagari Track Network

The Mindjagari Track Network ties together old fire trails, singletrack, and 14km of newly formalised sections that make it easier to explore the Tidbinbilla Range. Four official routes climb onto the ridge: Fishing Gap Track, Snowy Corner Track, Baggu Track, and Camelback Track. The new trail network also helps to improve fire management access and emergency response in remote parts of the reserve.

From these routes, there are plenty of loops to choose from and peaks to bag, including Mount Domain, Tidbinbilla Mountain, The Pimple, Tidbinbilla Peak, Johns Peak, and Camels Hump. On a clear day, you can spot the Telstra Tower poking above Canberra’s skyline to the north, while the Brindabellas stretch across the horizon to the south.

History of the Mindjagari Track Network

The Ngunnawal people are the Traditional Custodians of the Canberra region. The name Tidbinbilla comes from the Ngunnawal word Jedbinbilla, which means ‘where boys become men’. The valley was an important place for ceremony and the sharing of men’s lore.

The Mindjagari name comes from a Ngunnawal word meaning ‘sky, clouds appear’. It’s a fitting name for a track that traverses the highest peaks of the range, often with clouds sitting low in the valley.

Where to Stay Near the Mindjagari Track Network

Camping is NOT allowed in Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve. The only place to stay inside the reserve is Nil Desperandum, a restored 1890s homestead tucked away among the eucalypts. Bookings must be made ahead through ACT Parks, and you’ll need a 4WD, AWD, or two willing feet to get there.

Skill Level

Advanced

Make no mistake, this is an advanced Grade 5 hike. You’ll need a good level of fitness, as there’s a lot of elevation gain and loss over a short distance (no matter which track you choose). Rock scrambling is common, and there are a few patches with regrowth to push through. The track is pretty well defined, but it still pays to be confident with a map and compass because both weather and track conditions can change fast up here.

Essential Gear

• Hat
• Sunglasses
• Rain jacket
• First aid kit with a snake bandage
• Water
• Snacks
• Map/Compass/GPS
• Sunscreen
• Appropriate footwear
• Emergency communication: PLB or satellite phone

What it’s Like to Hike the Mindjagari Track Network

I parked at the Mountain Creek car park and started my hike along the Lyrebird Trail, which felt suspiciously gentle given the reputation of this route. That illusion vanished the moment I turned onto the Snowy Corner Track. The trail headed straight uphill, with not a switchback in sight. Within minutes I was dripping with sweat, melting sunscreen running straight into my eyes.

Read more: How To Hike in Hot Weather

As the ascent steepened, the trees thinned and the undergrowth tightened around the track. There was a small seat about halfway up, perfectly placed to catch my breath and glimpse the valley below. Nearing the top, the scrub opened to a loose boulder field, and the hiking became a little scrambly, with some careful foot placement needed over the rocks.

At the summit of Tidbinbilla Mountain, I found a PVC pipe geocache tucked between the rocks, complete with a logbook, in which you might find some familiar names. Snack in hand, I read through it, and soaked up the expansive views across the southern ACT border into Kosciuszko National Park.

From there, the official Mindjagari Track split along the ridge towards Mount Domain or Johns Peak. I headed for the latter, and almost immediately had a close encounter with a snake sunning out on the rocks.

Read more: How To Survive A Snake Bite

I stumbled backward and lost my footing, heart pounding suddenly at eye level with a danger noodle. As I scurried backwards in panic, it casually slipped away into a crack. Needless to say, I stayed hyper-aware of every stick for the rest of the day.

Not long after, I reached a grassy clearing with a cairn marking the side trip to The Pimple. It’s a sharp descent followed by a steep boulder hop back up, but it’s well worth the effort.

I stopped for lunch on the rocks with a pastry from Under Bakery in Mawson (I highly recommend making a pre-hike stop) and spotted some unexpected rocky cliffs to the west. It felt like a whole other pocket of the range that I’d have to come back to explore another time. As I ate, dingoes howled somewhere across the valley, with a few pups yapping back in reply.

Back on the Mindjagari Track, the ridge rolled on through light regrowth, with sections where the footpad faded, forcing me to slow down and pay a little more attention to stay on track. If you’re short on time or energy, you can cut back to the car park on the Baggu Track, but I pushed on toward Tidbinbilla Peak. I’ll be honest, it’s a bit of an anticlimax, with limited views and a blown-down trig.

The trail became well-defined and clearly marked again at Johns Peak.

I stopped for one last snack before the descent, watching an eagle circle overhead while smoke from a nearby back burn drifted across Camels Hump. The climb down to the Camelback Fire Trail was rocky at first, then eased into open woodland that started to glow orange as the sun dropped lower in the sky. With daylight fading, I skipped the side quest to Camels Hump and headed straight down the 4WD track to the car, promising myself I’d return to summit both the Hump and Mount Domain another day.

Tips for the Mindjagari Track Network

Phone Reception

I’m with Optus, and reception along the ridge was surprisingly good. It was patchy on the ascent, though, so always carry a form of emergency communication.

Wildlife

I almost stepped on a snake along the ridge, so carry a first aid kit with a snake bandage and a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) or satellite phone.

Track Closures

Check the ACT Parks website before heading out, as sections of the track can be closed for feral animal control, track maintenance, or fire hazard reduction burning.

Park Closure

The reserve gates close at 6pm in winter and 8pm in summer. If you’re not out by then, you’ll be locked in and search and rescue will start looking for you. Keep an eye on the time and descend sooner rather than later if light is fading.

Water

There’s no reliable water along this track, so pack accordingly.

Bikes

Bikes are allowed only on management trails, not walking tracks. You can ride up Fishing Gap or Camelback, but be prepared for a hike-a-bike and some very steep descents.

FAQs Mindjagari Track Network

How long is the Mindjagari Track Network?

The entire Mindjagri Track Network is 26km of intersecting trails. The trail Kate walked is a 15km loop within the wider network.

Is the Mindjagari Track Network suitable for beginners?

Unfortunately not! All of the trails throughout the network are rated as Grade 5, meaning they’re only suitable for advanced and experienced hikers.

Walk Further Along ACT’s Hiking Trails

• Mt Gingera Overnight Hike Passes a Historic Hut in Namadgi National Park, ACT
• Hike Gibraltar Peak Summit For Epic Views of Canberra (ACT)
• Take in Mountain Views of ACT’s Brindabella Range From the Summit of Camels Hump
• The 9.5km Square Rock Walk Near Canberra Boasts Granite Outcrops and Alpine Views