Grampians Peak Trail

The full Grampians Peaks Trail

is a challenging 164km, once-in-a-lifetime hiking experience. If you’re bold and committed to completing this 13-day/12-night hike, you will have an unforgettable adventure and be rewarded with some of the best hiking trails and panoramic views in Australia.

This is a very difficult Grade 4 and Grade 5 trail with steep terrain and suitable only for experienced long-distance hikers. See GPT topographic map for section references: N1-N4; C1-C5;S1-S4.

Day 1: (N1) Mt Zero – Barigar Hike-in Campground

Start: at Mt Zero Picnic Area.  Distance: 12.1km  Grade: 4

Key elevation points: Mt Zero Carpark 250m, Mt Stapylton 518m, Barigar Hike-in Campground 230m

Names and meanings: Barigar = ‘Parigar’: mountain stream. Gar = pointed mountain, Bar = river, hence mountain stream.

Highlights: Ridgeline hiking, Taipan Wall, Mt Stapylton viewpoint and seasonal rockpools and waterfall.

A day of ridgeline hiking around and under boulders and crossing open rocky slabs. Expect views of Stapylton Amphitheatre, Mt Stapylton (Gunigalg) and the magnificent orange wave of Taipan Wall. Watch for the aptly-named Bird Rock and early season spring wildflowers. Hike through low forest and dense shrub to Golton Creek and on to Coppermine Track. From here climb to exposed rocky battlements then hike downhill towards a high wind-blown cave and creek crossings over open rock slabs dominated by boulders with small seasonal rockpools. Look ahead to the dramatic Mt Difficult Range. A steep descent to a scenic seasonal waterfall (after rain) heralds your arrival at Barigar Hike-in Campground

Day 2: (N2) Barigar Hike-in Campground – Gar Hike-in Campground

Start: Barigar campground  Distance: 11.3km  Grade:4

Key elevation points: Barigar 230m. Mt Difficult (Gar), 806m, Gar Hike-in Campground 700m

Names and meanings: Barigar = ‘Parigar’: mountain stream. Gar = pointed mountain, Bar = river, hence mountain stream.

Highlights: Seasonal waterfalls (after rain), a heath covered plateau, Mt Difficult (Gar) mountain summits.

Hike uphill from Barigar passing through grassy woodland. A final switchback up rock steps brings you to a ridgeline with extensive views of the Mt Difficult Range, and an easy descent to Roses Gap Road. Spring wildflowers,

Yellow Box eucalypts and Grampians Thryptomene feature on the lower slopes. A steady hike follows Dead Bullock Creek up the imposing Mt Difficult Range escarpment. Enjoy stunning waterfalls after rain.

The trail gets harder as it steepens, zig-zagging upwards on steep rocky steps, close to cliff edges and below massive rock walls before reaching the Gar Hike-in Campground. Gar = ‘big mountain’, is the highest on the western side of the Range.

Day 3: (N3) Gar Hike-in Campground – Werdug Hike-in Campground

Start: Gar hike in campground  Distance: 14.0km  Grade: 4

Key elevation points: Gar Hike-in Campground 700m, Werdug Hike-in Campground 750m

Names and meanings: Gar = pointed mountain. Werdug = ‘Werdook’: his shoulder, a reference to the shoulder of a mythical ancestor.

Highlights: Mt Difficult (Gar) summit, open rock slabs, elevated ridgeline views from the backslopes of the Mt Difficult Range.

A day hiking around the horseshoe shaped mountain range encircling the Lake Wartook basin below. The trail rises and falls over highpoints, dipping through saddles and crossing bare rocky slabs on its way to Long Gully Creek. Werdug Hike-in Campground is perched on a high knoll with clear day views down into Lake Wartook and across to the western Mt Difficult Range.

Important safety information: 

• Water tank not installed yet at Lake Wartook Lookout. Fill with extra water at Werdug Hike-in Campground to get you through to Halls Gap
  

  

• Day 4: (N4) Werdug Hike-in Campground – Halls Gap (own arrangements)

  Start: Werdug Hike-in Campground  Distance: 13.0km  Grade: 4

  Key elevation points: Werdug Hke-in Campground 750m Lake Wartook lookout, Halls Gap 230m

  Names and meanings: Werdug = ‘Werdook’: his shoulder, a reference to the shoulder of a mythical ancestor.

  Highlights: Sweeping views, rocky gardens and a descent through tall wet forest and winter/spring wildflowers.

  Lake Wartook Lookout (829m) is one of the highest points in the Mt Difficult Range. Climb to Lake Wartook Lookout, before meandering across the escarpment passing rocky gardens and descending steep stone steps. They herald the first major vegetation transition as you leave the dry, open rocky northern area and move down through the wetter eastern slopes.

• Listen for birdlife in this area as you hike through tall forest and an open understorey with ferns, grasses, wattles and tea trees. Chautauqua Peak gives views over the town before the final descent past Clematis Falls (seasonal rains) and through the Botanic Gardens on the approach into Halls Gap.You need to book your own accommodation (off-trail) for this night. Halls Gap offers a variety of accommodation for walkers, for further information go to Visit Grampians.