Hiking Mt Feathertop is one of the iconic hikes in the Australian Alpine region. Moving along the Razorback ridge provides spectacular views of Valleys, with Feathertop being the jewel.
It’s a classic hike that can be done light and fast in a day-trip, or camp at Federation Hut for an overnight stay.
Challenging in parts, but doable for most, the Mt Feathertop hike should be high on the radar for your next hike in Victoria.
About Mt Feathertop
Mt Feathertop is located in the Alpine National Park, close to the towns of Bright and Harrietville, in North East Victoria. It is easy to get to via car, with the Razorback Spur entry being right next to Diamatina Hut, a short distance from Mt Hotham Village.
In the summer, there are plenty of cars parked on the side of the road, highlighting its popularity with multi-day hikers, trail runners and day-trippers.
Famed for its stunning beauty, alpine vistas and challenging terrain along the razorback ridge, the Mt Feathertop walk combines it all. Throw it some hut to hut and a summit and you have all the elements of classic victoria hiking adventure.
Best Time to Hike Mt Feathertop
The shoulder season of late spring and early autumn, provide ideal conditions, avoiding the high heat of the summer. As you are in the Alpine environment, weather conditions can change quickly, so as with any hike, prepare for conditions as necessary, particularly for drops in temperature and wet weather gear.
For those with the gear and knowledge, Mt Feathertop is also well known for its backcountry ski and board runs. Described as some of the steepest in Australia, the backcountry skiing and riding here is challenging and technical, but delivers a backcountry experience found similar in the northern hemisphere.
If you want to dig further into this, these guys have a comprehensive review of all things backcountry on Mt Feathertop.
Main Hiking Routes
There are a couple of ways to get to Mt Feathertop, with the two both offering different challenges for consideration.
Razorback Ridge Track
This entry point is ideal for getting hit with those immediate ‘top of the world’ alpine views. Located on the Great Alpine Road, about 1km before the Mt Hotham village is the entry to the Razorback Ridge. Coming from Harrietville, it is on the left side, with right being the A-Framed, Diamatina Hut.
The signage is clear; with information board and log book to track hikers, heading into the park.
The challenge with this is that you need to work through the transport situation. Driving up and parking, requires either and out-and-back approach or shuttling between cars if heading down to Harrietville after Mt Feathertop/Federation Hut.
The other option is to use the bus to shuttle up to the Razorback Ridge entry point and hike through to Feathertop. Then down the Staircase Spur to Harrietville.
The VLine bus, also known as the Hotham Bus departs twice daily in the morning (7:10am and 8:35am) from Harrietville and once in the afternoon (3:25pm). There is also a return journey from Hotham to Harrietville in the morning and two in the afternoon.
The terrain has been rated a category 4 walk/hike and whilst generally it is easy going with undulating ridge hiking, there are sections of exposure, steep stairs and loose footings. Nothing you wouldn’t expect from a walk in the Alpine National Park.
The trail markers are easy to find, although a topo map and compass are advised, should you go off track. The trail leads you towards Mt Feathertop that juts into view several times along the ridge.
Many hikers dump their bags at the junction of the trail to Federation Hut, to reach the summit or alternatively continue the 600m of so down to the Federation Hut camp, de-load at the camp area and complete it that way.
Bungalow Spur Track
The Bungalow Spur Track is accessed from the town of Harrietville. The benefits is that you do not need to travel the 40 mins up to Hotham and can conveniently reach Federation Hut and the summit of Mt Feathertop from the town.
The challenge with this approach is the elevation gain up the spur. To reach Federation Hut is approx. 9km with a 1200m of elevation gain. The summit is then about 1.5Km from the hut.
This approach is ideal for an out and back from Harrietville. You can avoid additional transport or shuttling between Harrietville the Razorback Spur entry. It just smashes you with the elevation slog from the outset.
There are a couple of spots to leave your vehicle in Harrietville. One is near the entrance of the spur, just off the Feathertop Track Rd and the other is the main open-air car park about 200m from the spur entrance. Easy enough to find.
Both these approaches described above are an out and back mission, but you can also do a thru-hike style.
Alternative Routes
The main alternative route is combining the Razorback and Bungalow spur into one. That is, starting at Diamatina Hut, walk along the Razorback to Federation Hut, summit Mt Feathertop. Stay overnight at Federation Hut and then down the Bungalow spur, into Harrietville the next morning.
The above could also be done in reverse. Either way, you will need to sort out transport to get you to the starting or end point.
There are also longer approaches through difficult terrain via the North and North West Spur. The latter is via Stony Creek Rd to access the trail, near Harrietville and then up the spur towards the MUMC (Melbourne University Mountaineering Club) Hut and onwards towards the summit.
Camping Options
While the hike can be done as a day trip, many hikers do an overnight at the Federation Hut camp. The hut is mainly a shelter or emergency accommodation, however the area allows for good camping options.
There is non-treated, rain water tank at the hut and some pit toilets on site.
It can get busy during the summer, with alternative camping at the saddle, towards Mt Feathertop.
Safety & Precautions
While the trail is marked it would help to take some navigation gear, such as topographical map, compass and phone. Some phone plans have coverage, but best to have a back up, just in case.
There was, in recent times, when a member of parliament went missing after falling, causing a major search and rescue mission.
As with any overnight or multi-day hike, you will need all the appropriate, sleeping, cooking, clothing and shelter requirements covered. I wouldn’t bank on staying in the hut, as it is more a shelter, than sleeping quarters.
Final Thoughts – Hiking Mt Feathertop
If you can work the transport, then starting at Diamatina Hut, hiking the Razorback Ridge is a good start. Then camping at Federation Hut, summit Mt Feathertop and then down Bungalow Spur to Harrietville, would be ideal.
This route gives you the spectacular views along the razorback, the overnight camp and the downhill hike back into town. The motivating bakery stop at the end always puts a spring in your step in those final km’s.
As the literature and websites suggest, the Mt Feathertop hike is one of the best and the views are impressive. If you enjoy hiking, the Mount Feathertop walk is definitely worth your while.
