Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing

    This area has additional visitor advice This area has reported issues This area is closed

    Explore

    Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing

    Alpine National Park

    The Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing is a 37km three-day hike through the Alpine National Park from Falls Creek to Mt Hotham. Enjoy spectacular views of mountain ridges from 2000m above sea level, walk through beautiful Snow Gum woodland and camp near two historic huts.
    Book now
    Winding its way along alpine ridges through snow gum woodlands and snow grass plains, over rocky summits and past historic huts, this memorable hike rewards walkers with a spectacular view at every step. By night, see thousands of twinkling stars against some of the darkest skies in the world far from light pollution.

    The trail is divided over three legs as follows:

    Day 1: Falls Creek to Cope Hut, 14km

    Day 2: Cope Hut to Dibbins Hut, 14km

    Day 3: Dibbins Hut to Mt Hotham, 9km

    Day 1 highlights include lookouts at Heathy Spur, historic Wallace Hut and Cope Hut - and swathes of pink, gold and white wildflowers in spring and summer. On Day 2, there are stunning panoramas from Pole 333 and unforgettable views of Mount Feathertop, Victoria's second-highest mountain. Day 3 highlights include abandoned Quintet Mine, charming Derricks Hut - and of course a well-deserved coffee and cake at Mt Hotham!

    How to get there

    Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing

    From Falls Creek the trail starts from the Heathy Spur carpark, on the eastern side of the Rocky Valley dam wall in the Alpine National Park. Heathy Spur carpark is 3km from the Falls Creek Information Centre via road, or walk from the Falls Creek village bowl via the aqueduct track. The trail finishes at the Mt Loch carpark at Mt Hotham.

    Falls to Hotham is a point-to-point walk, so you’ll need transport to the start and a way to get home at the end. The drive between trailheads takes approximately two-and-a-half hours.

    Using two vehicles in a car shuffle is a popular option. Drive in convoy to the end of the walk, drop off one vehicle, then return to the start of the walk in the other vehicle. Vehicles can be left at the Heathy Spur or Mt Loch car parks at either end.

    Alternatively, you could use the shuttle bus. Falls Creek will provide a bus service for hikers during the peak summer period. Contact the resort for details and to make a booking. Phone (03) 5758 1202. Website fallscreek.com.au

    If you’re staying at Falls Creek, Mt Hotham or Dinner Plain before your walk, some accommodation providers can offer transport or assist with a car shuffle.
    Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing

    When you're there

    The Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing is accessible for hiking from November to April. The track can be walked in either direction but is best when starting from Falls Creek and walking towards Mt Hotham.

    There are two campsites on the Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing:

    Cope Hut Camping Area, among the Snow Gums on the Bogong High Plains, is 14km from the trailhead and usually the first night's campsite.

    Dibbins Hut, on a snow plain near the headwaters of the Cobungra River, is 9km from Mount Hotham.

    Each campsite has five sites on tent platforms. There are four 3m x 3.7m platforms and one larger platform that is 4.5m x 3m. The platforms are designed to fit a 2-3 person hiking tent.

    The tent platforms are designed for you to pitch your tent directly on the platform. Each platform has eyelets around the edge to hook tent peg loops or guy ropes over. As well as these there are movable pegs that slot into the mesh, allowing tents of all shapes to be set up.

    Bookings are required to so be sure to check availability and make a booking prior to your trip.

    When to go

    Summer is a great time to walk the Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing. Wildflowers are in bloom and the temperature at 2000m is a welcome relief from the warmer climate at lower altitudes.

    Camping

    One of Victoria's icon walks, the 37km Falls-Hotham Alpine Crossing is a 3 day / 2 night walk through the Alpine National Park, linking the resort villages of Falls Creek and Mt Hotham. 
    Winding its way along alpine ridges through snow gum woodlands and snow grass plains, over rocky summits and past historic huts, this 3 day hike offers an achievable and rewarding hiking challenge with spectacular views every step of the way.

    Book your camp sites here

    Check availability

    Need to know

    Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing

    Accessibility

    Visiting a park can be more of a challenge for people with disabilities, however in Victoria there are a wide range of facilities to help people of all abilities enjoy our wonderful parks around the state.

    How we keep it special

    The Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing immerses visitors in the alpine environment, with its gnarled snow gums and fields of alpine daisies, surrounded by high country scenery, passing by heritage huts and walking to the summits of some of Victoria’s most spectacular peaks. The Master Plan for the Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing outlines the proposed development of a five-day, four-night hiking experience that traverses the Great Dividing Range, from Falls Creek to Mount Hotham.

    Change of Conditions

    Nature being nature, sometimes conditions can change at short notice. It’s a good idea to check this page ahead of your visit for any updates.

    • Alpine National Park

      Areas of Alpine National Park closed due to 2019/2020 fires

      Some tracks and areas in the Alpine National Park remain closed due to fire damage during the 2019/2020 bushfires. Please check the Fire affected parks  page for a full list of closures. 

      JP Gap Track Closed

      JP Gap Track within Alpine National Park is currently closed.

      Kelly's Road Closed

      Kelly's Road (near Benambra) within the Alpine National Park, has a closed section. The closed section of road is north of 8 Mile Creek and south of 8 Mile Loop Track.

      Blue Rag Range gate access via south Basalt only

      Due to the extended seasonal closure of the Dargo High Plains Road managed by the Alpine Shire, the only access to Blue Rag Range track is via South  Basalt track. For further information about the  Dargo High Plains Road please speak to the Alpine Shire  (https://www.alpineshire.vic.gov.au/council/contact-us, Phone: 03 5755 0555, Email: info@alpineshire.vic.gov.au)

    • Notices Affecting Multiple Parks

      Extended seasonal road closures 2020

      Some roads in this park are subject to extended seasonal road closures. Seasonal road closures generally operate after the long weekend in June through to the end of October, but may be extended due to seasonal conditions. View the list of 2020 seasonal road closures for details and check the corresponding map numbers with the seasonal road closure 2020 index map for locations of the extended closures and visit the seasonal road closures page for more information.

    • Notices Affecting Multiple Sites

      Tali Karng partial closure

      Access is only open to Tali Karng (the Lake) via the Wellington River Walking Track and then via the Clive Lannigan Walking Track. Recommended camping areas are at the intersection of the Wellington River Walking Track and Riggals Spur Track. Please note that camping is not permitted at Tali Karng (the Lake).
       
      Currently there is no access to Tali Karng from the north including from McFarlanes Saddle.
      The following walking  tracks and routes are currently closed: Wellington Plains Walking Track, Riggals Spur Track, Gillios Track and Echo Point Track.

      Please contact the Heyfield Ranger team on 13 1963 for further information.

      Attachments: novtrackclosures (203KB)

      Tali Karng partial closure

      Access is only open to Tali Karng (the Lake) via the Wellington River Walking Track and then via the Clive Lannigan Walking Track. Recommended camping areas are at the intersection of the Wellington River Walking Track and Riggals Spur Track. Please note that camping is not permitted at Tali Karng (the Lake).
       
      Currently there is no access to Tali Karng from the north including from McFarlanes Saddle.
      The following walking  tracks and routes are currently closed: Wellington Plains Walking Track, Riggals Spur Track, Gillios Track and Echo Point Track.

      Please contact the Heyfield Ranger team on 13 1963 for further information.

      Attachments: novtrackclosures (203KB)

    Similar experiences

    A group of three friends walk through the rocky ravines of the Northern Grampians.

    Grampians Peaks Trail

    The Grampians Peaks Trail is one of the Walk Victoria’s Icons long distance trails. The first section is now complete and offers a 36km, three day/two night circuit walk departing from Halls Gap.
    A woman with a large hiking pack takes in the view from Blanket Bay Campground.

    Great Ocean Walk

    The Great Ocean Walk extends just over 100km between Apollo Bay and the Twelve Apostles near Princetown. The spectacular walk weaves its way through tall forests, coastal heathlands, wild rocky shores, river estuaries and windswept cliff-tops presenting amazing views.
    A group of four hikers walk along the beach at Discovery Bay as part of the Great South West Walk

    Great South West Walk

    The Great South West Walk winds through the diverse landscapes of Lower Glenelg National Park, Discovery Bay Coastal Park, Cobboboonee National Park and Cape Nelson State Park. Starting from the township of Portland in south west Victoria, the walk takes you on an unforgettable journey across rugged cliffs carved by the Southern Ocean, over remote beaches, past ancient, pristine lakes and through majestic, tall forest.
    Two hikers reach the summit of Mount Nelse at Bogong High Plains
    X
    By using our site you accept that we use and share cookies and similar technologies with certain approved third parties. These tools enable us to improve your website experience and to provide content and ads tailored to your interests. By continuing to use our site you consent to this. Please see our Privacy Policy for more information.
    Confirm