The Grampians Peaks Trail is a relatively new trail hat has combined existing walking trails with newly built trail. Located in the Grampians National Park, the Peaks Trail is a thru-hike, that can be broken into sections to experience this impressive walk, in Victoria’s west.
Forested ferns, granite boulders, waterfalls and eucalypt forests all feature in this walk. It includes some of the more interesting features and trail design that I have experienced.
What is the Grampian Peaks Trail?
The Grampians Peaks trail is a recently built by the trail builders Dirt Art, who are experts in creating great trails, particularly mountain biking trails. This purpose built trail is 160Km (100 miles) in length and the full trail can be done in a suggested 12 night, 13 day thru-hike / walk.
The Peaks Trail is located in the Grampians National Park, in Western Victoria about 3 hrs. drive from Melbourne. Similar to the rating of the Mt Feathertop hike, the Peaks Trail is rated as a category 4, requiring fitness and experience to tackle the terrain.
The full trail starts at the Mt Zero trailhead and continues south towards the town of Dunkeld. The town of Halls Gap is located about the middle of the trail network.
The dedicated camping areas are well spaced along the trail, with logical distances to assist with day planning.
The purpose built campgrounds are impressive with each ground offering something different. Think architectural designed shelters, toilets, tent platforms and valley views.
The beauty of the trail network is that you can easily break it up into shorter sections for overnight adventures.
Highlights of the Peaks Trail
There are quite a few highlights of this trail with views from the various peaks that you encounter along the way, such as the Pinnacle and Mt Difficult.
The trail design is also one of the better trails I have been on. Squeezing through large granite boulders, manoeuvring along duckboards and ladders, all while ticking off the impressive natural features with waterfalls and swimming holes,
It is an immersive experience and well worth the visit.
Grampians Peaks Trail Sections – Overview
While the Grampians Peaks Trail is an end-to-end thru-hike, it can also be broken down into sections for shorter journeys. Again kudos to the trail builders to plan this out for all types of walkers.
Originally planned as a North – South walk, it can also be done as South – North hike, to mix it up.
Mt Zero to Halls Gap
The Mt Zero trailhead is the official starting point of the Peaks Trail in the Northern Grampians. This section takes you through rugged ridge walking that deliver on panoramic views, stunning rock formations and challenging hiking.
It is 53Km rom Mt Zero trailhead to Halls Gap, with three well-placed campgrounds within this section, before you reach Halls Gap. The suggested timing of this is over 4 days. This is 3 nights at each of the campgrounds. Of Barigar, Gar and Werdug, before reaching Halls Gap
- Mt Zero trailhead to Barigar Campground (12.1 Km)
- Barigar to Gar Campground (11.3 Km)
- Gar to Werdug Campground (14.0 Km)
- Werdug Campground to Halls Gap (13.0 Km)
Halls Gap to Yarram Campground
This section is popular with walkers given the jumping off point of the charming mountain town of Halls Gap. It takes in the impressive trail features of the Grand Canyon and the Pinnacle lookout, Mt Rosea and Mt William.
The Central Section can be done in 4 nights/ 5 days of walking, between each of the key campgrounds.
- Halls Gap to Bugiga Campground (8.9 Km)
- Bugiga to Barri Yalung Campground (14.7 Km)
- Barri Yalung to Duwul Campground (13.2 Km)
- Duwul to Durd Durd Campground (14.5 Km)
- Durd Durd to Yarram Campground (11.9 Km)
This can also be broken into a overnight at Bugiga campground and walk to Borough Huts for a shuttle back to Halls Gap. Or continue to Barri Yalung campground for a second night and return to Halls gap, either via car shuttle or local pick up service that can be booked in town.
Yarram Campground to Dunkeld
The southern section of the Grampians Peaks Trail is considered a less taxing part of the trail as you make your way to Dunkeld. As with all sections the views are stunning and the distances make for manageable walk between campsites. The Signal Peak, Mt Abrupt and Mt Sturgeon summits provide spectacular views of the range and valley.
- Yarram Campground to Wannon Campground (11.1 Km)
- Wannon to Djardji-djawara Campground (16.3 Km)
- Djardji-djawara to Mud-Dadjug Campground (8.1 Km)
- Mad-Dadjug Campground to Dunkeld (14.8 Km)
The total length of this section is 50.3 Km from Yarram camp to Dunkeld, with excellent food and drink options to finish off the walk in this small but well featured town.
Preparation for the Grampians Peaks Trail
The bulk of the sections are rated as a grade 4 walk which means long, rough underfoot, steep sections, with limited signage. It is suggested that walkers/hikers have some previous experience and have all the necessary equipment and navigational skills to managed the sections.
For the scheduled campgrounds, the requirement is to book these through Parks Victoria, as the spots are limited. With the campgrounds, you get a designated camp area, which may be an elevated platform/deck or a fine gravel spot. Each with fixing points for guide ropes. It is wise to have some additional para cord to assist with securing the tents, particularly for the campgrounds with the platforms.
Campground and Accommodation
As mentioned, the scheduled campgrounds require booking. While the booking portal is not the most intuitive or easy to locate, once you make a booking you get a reference number to keep handy. Should the rangers check at the campgrounds, you have details of the booking and dates.
Details of the booking portal can be found here.
Best Time to Walk the Grampians Peaks Trail
From a weather perspective the late spring and early autumn periods are ideal to find good weather windows and avoid the peak heat in the summer or cold and wet in the winter.
However the trail can be walked in all conditions with some planning and equipment to cater for the 4 seasons.
Final Thoughts on the Grampians Peaks Trail
As a purpose built thru-hike in Victoria, it was a smart decision to create a spectacular hike through this region. The landscape hits you with views for days, and trail keeps you guessing as to what is to come next.
From the carefully planned trail that is considerate to the cultural stories and meanings to the well spaced campgrounds. Throw in the architecturally designed shelters and inclusion of the towns of Halls Gap and Dunkeld. And let’s not forget the stunning vistas and trail design. It all combines to make an excellent hiking experience.
If you liked this post, then the Hiking Mt Feathertop post may also be of interest. Another of Victoria’s great hikes.
