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15 Best Hikes In The Grampians: The Complete Guide

15 Best Hikes In The Grampians: The Complete Guide

The Grampians National Park is THE place to hike if visiting Victoria. Heck, if visiting Australia. Certainly, the wealth of trails, lookouts and waterfalls is hugely generous. The Grampians is full of adventure at every turn, with gentle walks or high-octane hikes for every level of hiker. So, if you’re looking for the ultimate hiking playground, then the Grampians is for you.

In this guide, we’ll show you 15 of the best hikes in the Grampians, that you’re sure to love.

For more information on walks, waterfalls and lookouts in the Grampians, check out Grampians National Park: The Complete Visitor’s Guide

About Hikes in the Grampians

You’ll be hard-pushed to fit every one of the hikes in the Grampians into one trip. But, we’re sure these 15 hikes will enable you to see the very best of this national park and experience a whole variety of walks and trails. The Grampians walks in this guide span across the entire national park. So, expect to enjoy the Grampians from every angle.

There are three main areas the hikes in the Grampians can be split into – walks in the southern, central and northern Grampians. Let’s take a look.

Southern Grampians

The Southern Grampians is the perfect place to begin your hiking adventures in the Grampians National Park. The main town of Dunkeld, which is the gateway to the Grampians, is the perfect place to fuel up with a morning coffee before a day of hiking and exploration in the Grampians begins.

Within the southern Grampians region, you’ll find some of the most iconic mountains in the entire area. Certainly, the most notable is Mount Abrupt. You’ll see this phenomenal mountain looming over the Grampians Tourist Road if you take this scenic drive.

The Grampian’s hikes here are quick and exhilarating. They offer some of the best views throughout the national park and, compared to its more popular counterpart of central Grampians, are less trafficked. So, in some ways, hikes in the southern Grampians can feel more enjoyable. Certainly, walks in the southern Grampians will leave you craving more of what this truly wonderful national park has to offer.

The hikes in the southern Grampians include the following.

Additionally, head to Mount Sturgeon Lookout for some awesome views of the southern Grampians.

Central Grampians

Heading north from the southern Grampians brings you to the popular hub of Halls Gap. This bustling, welcoming, outdoor-focused and family-friendly town is nestled within the majestic landscape of many a Grampians peak, just waiting to be hiked. Halls Gap is a small town that has an almost alpine village feel to it. Indeed, nature and people lovingly share the space. Additionally, there’s no shortage of kangaroos or wallabies and you’d be unlucky not to catch sight of wild deer or even emus.

The area is understandably popular. Its location is hard to beat and is the best within the Grampians for activities, walks and accommodation. Many of the best hikes in the Grampians begin from Halls Gap. They include the following.

Northern Grampians

At the northern end of the Grampians National Park, you’ll find a small playground of hikes. There’s also Gulgurn Manja, a rock cave shelter containing cave paintings by the Jardwadjali people who once thrived here.

About an hour’s drive north of Halls Gap, the northern Grampians is the final area left to explore for amazing hikes. Like the south, the area is slightly less touristy and therefore far less busy than central Grampians for walks. But the Grampian’s hikes here are no less worthy of exploration. They include the following.

The 15 Best Grampians Hikes

So, now we’ve covered the three main areas for hikes in the Grampians, let’s jump into the walks themselves. We’ll order them by area, beginning with the south, before making our way through central and finishing with hikes in the northern Grampians.

Feel free to check out the interactive map below to see where all the Grampians walks are located.

Grampians hiking map

1. Mount Sturgeon (Wurgarri)

  • Type: Out & Back
  • Distance: 7km
  • Time: 1.5–3 hours
  • Accumulated elevation gain: 400m
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Trailhead: Mount Sturgeon Car Park (intersection of Grampians Tourist Rd and Victoria Valley Rd)
  • Map: Wikiloc

Along the Grampians Tourist Road is a small car park from where you’ll begin the hike up the Grampian’s Mount Sturgeon. The Mount Sturgeon trail begins on a well-marked track, under the cover of light forest. Certainly, it’s a pleasant walk that feels very much out in nature. Ultimately, the track forms a giant ‘U’ shape as it makes its way to the summit. Be sure to watch for the waymarkers, as the track sometimes gives way to natural rocky crossings.

Approaching the summit, you’ll reach a false peak. But, it’s not too much further to the top of Mount Sturgeon, involving just a slight descent before a climb back up. The views are outstanding. For Dan and I, the clouds had cleared just enough that we could enjoy the all-important views of neighbouring Mount Abrupt. Additionally, you’ll also make out the small mound of the Piccaninny lying just below.

Mount Sturgeon viewpoint

2. Mount Abrupt (Mud-Dadjug)

  • Type: Out & Back
  • Distance: 6.5km
  • Time: 1.5–3 hours
  • Accumulated elevation gain: 470m
  • Difficulty: Moderate – Hard
  • Trailhead: Mount Abrupt Car Park
  • Map: Wikiloc

Mount Abrupt is one of the most iconic silhouettes in the Grampians, which helps to make this one of the best hikes in the park. The trailhead begins at the side of Grampians Road, at a small car park positioned there. In the initial stages of the walk, you’ll see many beautiful lookouts across the Grampians, as the forest clears, before diving back under tree cover.

The trail is predominantly uphill, so it’s taxing on the legs. Through the lower forest section, the path is clear, with the odd rock staircase to scramble up. As the trail ascends the tree canopy, there’s an endless stone staircase laid out before you. But, this well-laid and beautifully maintained staircase makes the final ascent of Mount Abrupt much easier.

Summit views are incredible. A dark blanket of green covers the surrounding peaks, including back across to neighbouring Mount Sturgeon. The light haze we saw covering the distant mountains looked magical. Looking north, you can stare straight up the backbone of the Grampians National Park, and marvel at all the hikes to come.

Mount Abrupt lookout

3. The Chimney Pots

  • Type: Loop
  • Distance: 4km
  • Time: 2.5-3 hours
  • Accumulated elevation gain: 330m
  • Difficulty: Moderate – Hard
  • Trailhead: The Chimney Pots Car Park
  • Map: Wikiloc

As hikes in the Grampians go, you likely find this a quiet one. Which is actually a shame, because it’s one of our favourite Grampians walks. The Chimney Pots hike is unlike any other Grampians hiking trail. The amazing rock stacks, which do in fact look like chimneys, are incredible to walk around. Indeed, they’re quite unusual, even for Grampian’s standards.

From the Chimney Pots Car Park, located just off Glenelg River Road, the short but steep Grampians hike begins. The roughly 4km trail winds up and around the ancient totem-like structures. The sandstone disks of rock stack haphazardly on top of one another. They almost resemble that of an ancient temple. There’s no summit, so to speak, just an offshoot from the trail that takes you to a rather epic viewing platform. You’ll get to enjoy a short scramble to reach it. Indeed, on a clear day, you can see Mount Abrupt and Mount Sturgeon in the distance.

All in all, The Chimney Pots trail is straightforward to follow but steep and a little technical in parts, especially if the weather is wet. Hiking the trail in a clockwise direction means you’ll have a less steep descent. Although, the difference is marginal.

Dan and I had pretty poor weather for this hike, so any surrounding views were pretty hidden from sight. Still, it’s the rock features that are the star attraction of this Grampians hike. So, perhaps it’s a great wet weather option after all.

4. The Piccaninny (Bainggug)

  • Type: Out & Back
  • Distance: 2.5km
  • Time: 0.5 hours
  • Accumulated elevation gain: 120m
  • Difficulty: Easy – Moderate
  • Trailhead: Piccaninny Car Park
  • Map: Wikiloc

As hikes in the Grampians go, the Piccaninny is fairly easy, even for beginners. With wonderful vistas, the lookout offers the same views of Mount Abrupt as Mount Sturgeon does, just at a lower level. In fact, the Piccaninny sits between the two mountains and very much feels like the little sister to Mount Sturgeon.

This Grampians hiking trail is not as exhilarating as Mt Abrupt or Mt Sturgeon. But, what the hike lacks in grandeur, it makes up for in punchiness. It’s certainly one of the best Grampians short walks. Compared to its larger neighbours, the trail feels more relaxing and family-friendly.

The hike begins from the Piccaninny Car Park, located just off Grampians Road. But, accessing the car park involves a short drive on a dirt track. Perhaps it was because of the poor weather, but this looked a little hairy for our 2WD, so we just parked at the bottom of this road instead.

The walking trail is easy to follow and well-maintained. The track can be rocky in sections, but certainly no bother. Winding through the forest, you’ll get a chance to enjoy Grampian’s nature at its finest. Indeed, given the ease of hiking the Piccaninny, we think it would make for one of the best sunset hikes in the Grampians.

You can also begin this Grampians hike from the Mount Sturgeon Car Park. You’ll follow the same initial stages of the hike, before taking a turn-off for the Piccaninny. This longer walk is a 5.5km return and, if you don’t plan on hiking Mount Sturgeon, is a great option to allow you to soak in more of the southern Grampians.

The Piccaninny Grampians hike

5. Mount William (Duwil)

  • Type: Out & Back
  • Distance: 4.2km
  • Time: 1–1.5 hours
  • Accumulated elevation gain: 300m
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Trailhead: Mount William Car Park
  • Map: Wikiloc

Standing at 1,167m tall, Mount William is the highest peak in the entire Grampians National Park. But, don’t let that fool you, as it’s certainly not the most difficult of hikes in the Grampians, and is actually very easy to summit.

The hike itself is only 2km, albeit a purely uphill slog. From the Mount William Car Park, the trail follows a sealed road that winds upwards to the communications tower perched on the summit. As you climb higher, the vegetation begins to change to suit the increasingly higher altitude. The forest landscapes make way for lower shrub-like plants, which only help in elevating the panoramic views.

Reaching the summit takes around 30 minutes. After skirting the edges of the communications tower at the top, the walk leads out over the rocky outcrop and you’re treated to expansive views over the Grampians. Simply return the way you came to complete this Grampians hike.

Read more: Mount William Walk: Summit The Highest Peak In The Grampians

Mount William, Grampians

6. The Pinnacle Walk and Lookout

  • Type: Loop
  • Distance: 9.6km
  • Time: 3.5 – 4 hours
  • Accumulated elevation gain: 370m
  • Difficulty: Moderate – Hard
  • Trailhead: Halls Gap Picnic Reserve
  • Map: Wikiloc

The Pinnacle is perhaps one of the most iconic and well-recognised lookouts in the whole of the Grampians National Park. It’s certainly one of the Grampians most popular hikes, with multiple walking route options to reach the summit. To see the best of this part of the Grampians, we recommend hiking the full Wonderland Loop circuit, beginning and ending in Halls Gap. By hiking this loop to the Pinnacle, you’ll see all of the main attractions in this area, such as Venus Baths, Splitters Falls, the Grand Canyon and Bridal Veil Falls along the way. The 9km hike offers such varied and interesting sections, that you’ll hardly notice the time go by.

This Grampians walk begins in the heart of Halls Gap, at the Halls Gap Picnic Reserve. You’ll find ample parking at the car park there. Walking past the northern end of the Halls Gap Caravan Park, you’ll head into the forest and join the Wonderland Loop Track, which hugs along the left-hand side of Stony Creek. Soon enough, you’ll reach Venus Baths.

After Venus Baths, the trail starts to climb more steeply as you head towards Splitters Falls. But, access to the waterfall is via a quick out and back. From here, the ascent to the Pinnacle continues as you pass Grand Canyon, Cool Chamber, Bridal Veil Falls (if it’s rained) and then Silent Street. After Silent Street, it’s a straight rock hop over the bubble-shaped rock pillows to the summit. The views are magical and it’s easy to see why this Grampians walk is so popular.

Read more: The Grampians Pinnacle Lookout & Walk: 3 Spectacular Routes

Pinnacle lookout walks in the Grampians

7. Venus Baths Loop

As one of the most popular swimming holes in the Grampians, many people opt to complete a loop walk just to Venus Baths. Certainly, it’s an easy hike in the Grampians, with the opportunity for a refreshing dip in this outstanding location.

The gentle Stony Creek flows down the smooth mountainside of Halls Gap, pooling in naturally carved-out basins. Certainly, these shallow and refreshing bathing holes are perfect to relax in on a warm summer’s day. Or, simply admire the gently sloped rocks surrounding Venus Baths from afar on a cool winter’s day. Whenever you choose to visit, you’re sure to love the charm and natural beauty of Venus Baths in the Grampians.

After parking at Halls Gap Picnic Reserve (next to Halls Gap Swimming Pool), you’ll first take the path toward the Halls Gap Botanical Gardens. Stony Creek will be on your left after you’ve crossed over the footbridge. The trail gently climbs and undulates as it passes towering rock walls and dense vegetation.

After around 1km, you’ll reach Venus Baths. Bathe, relax and explore, then cross over the creek and follow the trail back to Halls Gap along the opposite side of the river.

Read more: Venus Baths: Quick Guide To The Grampians Best Swimming Hole

Venus Baths, Grampians walks

8. Reeds Lookout & The Balconies

No visit to the Grampians National Park is complete without a stop at the wonderful Reeds Lookout and The Balconies. These two outstanding viewpoints sit side by side above the Victoria Valley and the surrounding mountain ranges of Serra and Mount Difficult. Certainly, they easily provide some of the best views of the Grampians, and are an absolute must.

Set a little off Mount Victory Road, you’ll find a car park with ample space for your short stay. Both lookouts skirt the top of Mount Victory and offer wonderful views of the surrounding peaks and valleys. The first lookout to visit is Reeds Lookout. Indeed, this is closest to the car park and the best views are found by taking the sealed road up to the fire tower.

After enjoying Reeds Lookout, head back towards the car park, and then continue the easy walk along the path to reach the Grampian’s famous Balconies. The lookout is named after the two protruding rocks here, one on top of the other, that look like perfect balconies extending over the Grampians landscape.

There are two viewing platforms at The Balconies, Grampians – an upper and lower deck. But, we found the upper deck gave the best views of the hanging rock platforms that make up The Balconies.

Read more: How To Visit Reeds Lookout & The Balconies, Grampians

The Balconies Grampians walks

9. Boronia Peak

Boronia Peak is a short and sweet hike in Halls Gap. You can find parking at the end of Tandara Road. We’d heard there was a car park here. But, there’s not. There’s just some street-side parking which you’re permitted to use for this Grampians hike.

From the end of the road, you’ll initially join the Fyans Creek loop before merging with the Boronia trail. The track is a simple U-shaped curve up to the peak. There’s a little rock scrambling needed as you approach the summit, but your footing feels secure and the ridge is more than wide enough to feel steady and balanced. We were lucky enough to wake up to clear and dry weather in the Grampians, but, we imagine this hike to still be manageable even in wet conditions.

The views from the craggy peak are wonderful. You’ll certainly be able to see the Pinnacle as you enjoy the jagged outline of the Grampians mountain ranges to the west. Scaling a peak in the Grampians will never get boring. Each offers a new vantage point and new experience of a phenomenal national park. Taking in the grandeur of this hiking playground, whilst standing atop Boronia Peak, is a special moment.

Return the way you came to complete this Grampians hike.

Boronia Peak hiking in the Grampians

10. MacKenzie Falls

  • Type: Out & Back
  • Distance: 2km
  • Time: 1 hour
  • Accumulated elevation gain: 91m
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Trailhead: Mackenzie Falls Car Park

The biggest and best waterfall in the Grampians National Park surely deserves a visit, eh? Mackenzie Falls is a magnificent waterfall in the Grampians National Park. The thundering cascade drops around 40 metres into the Mackenzie River below. There are two viewing platforms above the falls, plus a steep stone staircase down to the base.

Additionally, you can see two more waterfalls from the Mackenzie Falls Car Park – Broken Falls and Fish Falls. Indeed, it’s well worth extending the walk down the Mackenzie River to see the Grampian’s Fish Falls. Broken Falls can be seen via a short trail from the car park.

Read more: Mackenzie Falls, Grampians: The Complete Visitor Guide

Mackenzie Falls, Grampians hikes

Read our 12 Must-See Grampians Waterfalls: The Complete Guide post

11. Mount Rosea Loop

  • Type: Loop
  • Distance: 12km
  • Time: 3 – 4 hours
  • Accumulated elevation gain: 560m
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • Trailhead: Rosea Car Park
  • Map: Wikiloc

The Mount Rosea Loop hike begins from Rosea Car Park, with the trail meandering through the forest along the Grampians Mt. Rosea hiking track. It’s a steady incline and the scenery, enclosed by trees, is pretty beautiful. Once through the forest, the hike to the summit is a long stretch across the exposed stone, so typical of the Grampians.

In all honesty, Dan and I couldn’t see more than 5-10 metres in front of us, such was the level of fog we encountered. Still, it added a strange sort of excitement to the Grampians hike. Instead of panoramic views from a summit, there’s a sheer cliff face dropping into the abyss of a whiteout below.

Of course, views from Mount Rosea would have been most welcomed. And hopefully, you’ll have better luck. But, we loved this Grampians hike regardless. The hiking trail from Mt Rosea summit continues south a little further, before swinging back around to form a loop. The trail joins the Burma Track and is downhill from here on out, with the final sections of this Grampians walk following along Silverband Road, but luckily only for a quick kilometre.

Mount Rosea

12. Chatauqua Peak (& Clematis Falls)

  • Type: Loop
  • Distance: 5.6km
  • Time: 2 hours
  • Accumulated elevation gain: 240m
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Trailhead: Halls Gap Oval
  • Map: Wikioc

If you’re keen on a sunrise hike in the Grampians, then head to Chatauqua Peak. That’s exactly what we did and the walk was wonderful. Within the Chatauqua Peak loop is Clematis Falls. Knowing we wouldn’t be able to see much of the waterfall in the dark, we decided to walk this simple Grampians trail in a clockwise direction, and enjoy Clematis Falls on the descent. So, that’s what we’ll describe below. But, the most common route is to hike this Grampians trail in an anti-clockwise direction.

The initial stages of the hike begin along Mount Victory Road, heading out of town. Soon enough you’ll see a sign on your right for Chatauqua Peak. The trail then heads into the forest and along a small dirt track. The trail steadily climbs before the final ascent, which is a bit of a scramble across the top ledges of rock, but nothing too challenging.

Stood atop the mountain, as the dark sky begins to fade into shades of pink and orange from the rising sun, you really do get to experience the Grampians at its finest. The moon holds steadfast to its prime position in the sky and looks magical against its violet backdrop as it jostles for position with the ever-encroaching sun. The mountains, valleys and lakes of the Grampians are just waking up. Certainly, from here, you have the best seat in the house. Chatauqua Peak might not be the tallest peak in the region, but it’s certainly no less beautiful and is fully worth the early get-up.

Clematis Falls

Rejoining the loop track after leaving the summit, the hiking trail descends to Clematis Falls, a seasonal Grampians waterfall. So, if you want to see Clematis Falls at its best, you’ll need to hike this trail after some decent rainfall. Having said that, we didn’t encounter a hugely powerful cascade but enjoyed it all the same. It felt like a bonus to an already excellent hike.

Follow the trail back down to the Halls Gap Oval to complete the walk.

Chatauqua Peak at sunrise

13. Briggs Bluff & Beehive Falls

  • Type: Out & Back
  • Distance: 10.5km
  • Time: 3-3.5 hours
  • Accumulated elevation gain: 400m
  • Difficulty: Hard
  • Trailhead: Beehive Falls Car Park
  • Map: Wikiloc

Beehive Falls and Briggs Bluff is one of the best hikes in the Grampians. In fact, it was perhaps one of the most satisfying walks we completed in the whole of the Grampians National Park. It was high octane, a little off the beaten track in parts, hard work and ultimately hugely rewarding.

The trail to the waterfall from Beehive Falls Car Park follows a well-maintained, sand gravel track. It leads directly to Beehive Falls, passing along Mud Hut Creek and a trail of beautiful bushland flora. Although the majority of the trail is easy to walk on, once you arrive at Beehive Falls, there’s a tiny section of rock scrambling required to scale along the base of the falls. But, it’s nothing too difficult at all.

From Beehive Falls, the hike to Briggs Bluff continues with a climb. Keep your eyes on yellow waymarkers to guide your way, but we recommend completing this Grampians hike with the use of a GPS map. This middle section of the walk is a full-body workout. But, once at the top, the trail levels off as you follow a fairly indistinct path through vegetation, hopping from rock to rock. Essentially, the walking trail from here guides you in a big loop to the summit of Briggs Bluff, Grampians.

The summit of Briggs Bluff is exposed, with the final ascent a pure scramble. Take care at the top, it can be windy but the views are outstanding. The return hike feels much easier, but have the GPS to hand.

Read more: Beehive Falls (& Optional Briggs Bluff Hike) – The Complete Guide

14. Hollow Mountain

From the car park, the initial trail is open and switches from a sandy path to a steady incline over rock. As you approach the side of Hollow Mountain, the rock scramble and steep climb begin as you start to wind around the mountainside. The trail then opens up onto an exposed mountainside, where you’ll traverse the rock wall at a steep incline. So take care. It’s these sections that require caution, especially when hiking in wet conditions.

There are yellow arrows sprayed on the rock to lead your way. So, just follow these arrows as they spiral your path to the top. There’s another rock scramble needed to access the upper sections of Hollow Mountain. But all in all, it’s a short and exhilarating hike. There are plenty of little caves and crevices to enjoy along this Grampians hike, so you can explore the ‘hollow’ mountain as much as you like.

To complete the Hollow Mountain Walk in the Grampians, return the way you came. Just be sure to take care on the steep scrambly sections. Certainly, they can be more difficult on the way back down.

Gulgurn Manja Rock Art Shelter

From the Hollow Mountain Car Park, you should certainly visit the Gulgurn Manja Shelter. It’s just an easy 15 minute walk to reach. Here, you’ll find some unbelievable examples of rock art. But, the site is fenced off to protect the indigenous artwork. The images painted on the walls include handprints and emu tracks. It’s quite wonderful.

Read more: Hollow Mountain Walk, Grampians: The Complete Guide

Cave lookout at Hollow Mountain

15. Mount Stapylton

  • Type: Out & Back
  • Distance: 5km
  • Time: 1 hour
  • Accumulated elevation gain: 550m
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Trailhead: Mount Zero Picnic Area
  • Map: Wikiloc

The hike to Mount Stapylton from the Mount Zero Picnic Area is another wonderful hike in the northern Grampians. Passing by the base of Hollow Mountain, this walk gives more opportunity to explore this rocky and sandy part of the Grampians National Park.

The hike is short and steep, with the final summit section a little more challenging. There’s some scrambling involved, but the views are worth it. There’s also a cave to check out just below the summit of Mt Stapylton, which makes perfect sense given the landscape around here.

To complete the hike, return the way you came. Alternatively, if you’d prefer a longer hike in the northern Grampians, you can begin this walk from Mount Stapylton Campground and follow the Mt Stapylton Loop trail.

Hollow Mountain viewpoint

Hikes in the Grampians Recap

So, there you have our pick of the top 15 hikes in the Grampians National Park. Certainly, there’s even more to explore in the Grampians, including a wealth of lookouts and even more waterfalls. Be sure to check out our Grampians National Park: The Complete Visitor’s Guide for everything you need to know to plan your trip.

Useful Things to Know Before You Go

Below, we’ll go through some useful things to know before you head out on the trails to complete these hikes in the Grampians.

How to Get to the Grampians National Park

The Grampians lie around 250km west of Melbourne and take around three hours to drive to. You’ll want to head to Halls Gap, which is the best base for the majority of these Grampians hikes. Although, the small town of Dunkeld is perfect for exploring the hikes in the southern Grampians.

For those that don’t have a car, it’s possible to take public transport to the Grampians. But, you’re looking at an extremely long journey. Additionally, once you get to the Grampians National Park, it’s much more convenient to have a car to get around in.

Car Hire

DiscoverCars.com

If you don’t have your own car, you should hire one using Discover Cars. Personally, we use Discover Cars and highly recommend them for finding your ideal car hire at an affordable price. Booking online is super easy and the free cancellation policy is great.

A 2WD is sufficient, although we did come across the odd road that a 4WD would have better suited. But, it was nothing that hindered our itinerary.

International Travel

If you’re travelling to Melbourne from overseas, we recommend using Skyscanner to search for the cheapest flights.

Booking Flights

Skyscanner

Skyscanner is our go-to website for booking flights. If you’re looking to find the cheapest flights, we recommend getting the ball rolling with a Skyscanner search. It allows you to scan all airlines and platforms to find the cheapest airfares.

Best Time For Hiking in the Grampians

The Grampians are great to hike any time of year. Indeed, Dan and I completed these hikes in the Grampians in winter and had a great time. Of course, summer months bring warmer weather and longer days, so you can hike more. The downside to this is busier trails.

Also, the waterfalls in the Grampians are much better after rainfall, which means winter and spring are the optimal months for seeing more impressive Grampians waterfalls on your hikes.

Safety Whilst Hiking in the Grampians

  • Be hiking smart: before embarking on any hike in the Grampians National Park, it’s always best practice to double-check for any closures or issues on the trails. Use the parks.vic website for the most up-to-date information regarding hikes in the Grampians.
  • Packing: Dan and I travelled to the Grampians in winter and so layers were essential. Of course, mountain peaks can be cold, yet it can be warm when exerting the effort to reach them. So, it’s good to be prepared with base and windproof layers to suit all eventualities.
  • All of the wildlife: the Grampians National Park is fortunate to house a wealth of wildlife. Indeed, Kangaroos roam freely, wild deer make an appearance by the roadside and you may even see emus (we saw three!). So, it’s important to be respectful of all animals, especially at dawn and dusk. So take care when driving and hiking in the Grampians.

Accommodation in The Grampians National Park

As Halls Gap is the main hub of the Grampians, it makes sense to base yourself there as you explore the national park and its many hikes. Certainly, you’ll find plenty of accommodation options here, as well as general amenities and places to stock up on supplies. So, below, we’ve put together the best budget, mid-range and luxury accommodation options to help plan your trip.

Grampians Eco YHA

Grampians Eco YHA

Budget: the main hostel in town is the Grampians Eco YHA. Enjoy the super clean facilities and spacious common rooms.

Halls Gap Lakeside Tourist Park

Halls Gap Lakeside Tourist Park

Mid-range: relax in the pool and admire the brilliant mountain views at Halls Gap Lakeside Tourist Park.

Grampians Chalets

Grampians Chalets

Luxury: lake views, friendly kangaroos and a fantastic location are ready to be enjoyed at the Grampians Chalets.

More Grampians Accommodation

FAQs

Below, we’ll answer a few of the most frequently asked questions about hikes in the Grampians.

What Is the Hardest Hike In the Grampians?

In this guide, we would say Briggs Bluff is the hardest of the hikes in the Grampians.

What Is the Longest Hike In the Grampians?

Mount Rosea at 12km long. But, of course, the Grampians Peaks Trail is the longest hike you can complete in the Grampians, taking 13 days.

Where Is the Best Place to Hike in the Grampians National Park (Gariwerd)?

Base yourself in Halls Gap, and you’ll find a wealth of Grampians hikes on your doorstep.

Where next in Victoria? Explore Wilsons Prom, Phillip Island and Mornington Peninsula.

Five Gear Essentials for Hikes in the Grampians

These are our five gear essentials for tackling the hikes in the Grampians National Park.

Osprey Skarab 30
Osprey Skarab 30

The Osprey Skarab 30 is our go-to hiking backpack for day hikes. This well-designed unisex backpack is comfortable and spacious, so you’ll have plenty of space to pack everything without feeling the strain on your upper back.

Osprey Ultralight Raincover
Osprey Ultralight Raincover

A waterproof backpack cover is an absolute must when you’re adventuring outdoors. The Osprey Ultralight Raincover Medium is a high-quality waterproof cover that’ll keep your backpack bone dry.

GRAYL Reusable Water Bottle
GRAYL Reusable Water Bottle

The GRAYL GeoPress is the best water filter bottle that allows you to purify 710mL (12 ounces) of water. This bottle will make water safe to drink wherever you’re hiking.

BUFF Original Ecostretch
BUFF Original Ecostretch

The BUFF Original Ecostretch is a great option when it comes to multifunctional headwear. We use the Ecostretch as a neck gaiter to keep the sun off our necks and it helps us keep warm in cooler climates.

Sony Cybershot RX100 VII
Sony Cybershot RX100 VII

Capture epic photos and videos with the Sony Cybershot RX100 VII. This is hands-down the best compact camera. We love using this simple point-and-shoot camera when we’re hiking as it’s lightweight and durable.

To find out more about all of the gear that we use and recommend, read our guides about our favourite hiking gear, travel gear and camera gear. Otherwise, read our comprehensive travel packing checklist.

Bonus Tips

  • No dogs allowed: unfortunately, many of the hikes in the Grampians can’t be walked with your furry friend.
  • Supplies: you can stock up on food and fuel in Halls Gap, Dunkeld and Hamilton.
  • Off-season: although we suspect there’s no real off-season in the Grampians, we’re sure our winter hiking trip was far quieter than in the summer. For that reason, if you don’t mind a bit of cold, then we highly recommend visiting the Grampians National Park in winter. Certainly, the hikes in the Grampians are just as breathtaking, and the trails are much quieter. Plus, hiking in the summer can be a bit hot.

Which are your favourite hikes in the Grampians? Let us know in the comments below.

Beck Piggott

With an art and design based background, Beck uses photography and writing to help inspire readers to climb mountains, hike coastal trails and chase waterfalls around the globe.

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