Hiking Mount Feathertop via Northwest Spur in Alpine National Park

Mount Feathertop is arguably the most beautiful mountain in Victoria, maybe even the whole Australian Alps! While there are a few ways to get to the top, the Tom Kneen Track up the Northwest Spur is one of the least used and yet it’s incredibly spectacular. This lengthy day hike is definitely one for the bucket list!

 

We acknowledge that this adventure is 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

•     A long ascent to the summit of Victoria’s second highest peak
•     The chance to visit the unique MUMC Hut
•     One of the best panoramic views in the alpine region
•     The chance to explore a lesser used trail to Mt Feathertop

Starting in the Valley: Mount Feathertop via Northwest Spur and Tom Kneen Track

This lesser-known trail takes you from a low-lying valley between Harrietville and Smoko (yep, ‘Smoko’) to the top of Mount Feathertop. The trail follows the Northwest Spur and is referred to as the Tom Kneen Track.

It’s one of the least used routes up Feathertop (with the Razorback and Bungalow Spur tracks being more popular), but it offers a gradual climb above the snowline from lush green forest to the bare peak of the mountain. Once you get to the summit, you have multiple options to get back down, depending on whether you can car shuffle with a friend.

Read more: Best Hikes in High Country

Tom Kneen Track on the lower section

Tom Kneen Track from Harrietville

From the trailhead at the end of Stony Creek Road, the first part of the hike is relatively flat as it skirts along private property through tall grass. You’ll have to keep an eye out for arrows here, as the trail itself can be a little hard to see.

After almost 2km, you need to cross the flowing river along some natural stepping stones. It’s then an undulating trail before a second river crossing which is made easier with an old wooden bridge.

The start of the climb through the forest

From there, the steep and relentless uphill slog begins. The trail switchbacks through the forest, until it straightens out once you hit the Northwest Spur. The ascent continues along the ridgeline, and you’ll finally start to notice the change in your surroundings to more alpine vegetation.

Emerging above the treeline on the Tom Kneen Track

A Rest at MUMC Hut

After walking for 6km, you’ll finally get a chance to have a rest at the unique MUMC Hut. This futuristic geodesic backcountry hut was constructed in the 1960s by the Melbourne University Mountaineering Club.

The inside was incredibly clean and tidy and one of the most welcoming and spacious High Country huts I’ve ever visited. You’ll find memorials adorning the walls for some of the club’s most pioneering members.

MUMC Hut

Mount Feathertop Summit

From the hut, you can see the peak of Mount Feathertop still looming above. For the next 2km, the trail is quite exposed and the views across the alpine region stretch in every direction.

The steep climb with views in every direction

The Tom Kneen Track continues to follow the ridgeline of the spur until it swings around to the left to skirt underneath the summit. The final few hundred metres is steep as you triumphantly emerge onto the main Razorback Track.

Tom Kneen track as it skirts underneath the summit

While you can look back down at the MUMC Hut feeling proud of your efforts, it’s not quite over yet. From there, you must turn left and walk the final kilometre to the very summit of Mount Feathertop. The panoramic views on a clear day are certainly some of the best you’ll get in the entire Aussie Alps.

Mount Feathertop summit

Return Route Options

Once you’re finally ready to descend from this beautiful mountain, you have a few options. You can head back down the Northwest Spur again, although this would be a stiff knee-breaking descent.

Heading back down from Feathertop

You could also take the Razorback which heads across the aptly named spur towards Mount Hotham. This is a very popular trail, although it would require a decent car shuffle between trailheads.

Read more: Hiking in Mt Hotham – High Country Walks

An ideal option and one that requires only a short car shuffle is to take the Bungalow Spur Track back to Harrietville via Federation Hut. First, you need to head back down from the summit to Fed Hut, a popular camping option for those who want to split the hike into an overnighter.

From the hut, the Bungalow Spur is a gradual descent all the way back down through lush forest. While quite similar to the Northwest Spur in some ways, you’ll lose the beautiful and exposed views much quicker this way. It’s 9km down to the trailhead in Harrietville from Federation Hut. This is the return option that we chose to do.

Bungalow Spur Track on the descent

Essential Gear

•     A good day pack around 30L
•     At least 3L of water
•     Food
•     First aid kit
•     Good hiking boots
•     PLB or Satellite Messenger
•     Warm clothing 
•     Hiking poles (especially if you have bad knees)

Read more: Packing List for a Day Hike

How To Get There

The trailhead for the Tom Kneen Track is located between Harrietville and Smoko just off the Great Alpine Road. You need to look for the obscure Stony Creek Road off the Great Alpine Road, which crosses the Ovens River and passes the Mountain Fresh Trout Farm.

At the end of this road, you’ll see the trailhead sign and registry book. There’s not much of a carpark there, but there is room for around 2-3 cars.

If you take the Bungalow Spur Track back down, the trailhead for this more popular route is in Harrietville. At the corner of Feathertop Track and Dredge Hole Lane is where you’ll find a decent sized car park for hikers, with the trail starting/ending just a bit further up the road.

Skill level

Intermediate-Advanced

You’ll need to be fairly fit to tackle this monster day hike, mostly due to the over 1500m of elevation gain. However, the trail is relatively easy to follow, so you don’t need to have extensive navigation skills or backcountry experience.

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Distance Covered

21.5 kilometres

Elevation Gain

1543 metres

Duration

8-9 hours

These stats are for taking the Tom Kneen Track up to the top of Mount Feathertop and the Bungalow Spur Track on the return to Harrietville.