Grampians National Park is part of the Gariwerd Aboriginal cultural landscape. Parks Victoria respects the deep and continuing connection that Traditional Owners have to these lands and waters, and we recognise their ongoing role in caring for Country.
Get a sample of the Grampians Peaks Trail with one of our suggested day walks. Explore the ancient, rugged landscape of Gariwerd and discover the natural beauty of the Grampians National Park.
Water safety
For your safety, having enough water along the Grampians Peaks Trail for hydration and cooking is so important. Our water information and availability page includes the locations (with latitude and longitude references) of serviced water tanks. All water tanks along the trail are untreated. So you need a safe way to treat water for drinking.
Mt Stapylton Loop
Mt Zero Picnic Area or alternatively from Stapylton Campground
Loop: 9.7km, 4 - 5hrs
Grade 4 (Hard): Challenging steep sections, rock hopping, slippery surfaces and exposed rocky outcrops.
Start: Mt Zero Picnic Area, Mt Zero Road.
Follow Grampians Peaks Trail markers for 500m up ‘Flat Rock’ to an outcrop overlooking the Stapylton Amphitheatre and the spectacular orange-coloured Taipan Wall. Continue downhill to the next track junction where the Loop walk begins. You will return to this point later.
Keep left and continue 1.3km before beginning to climb steadily up and over rocky terraces, passing ‘bird rock’.
At the Mt Stapylton summit intersection take the 600m return walk to the lower area before continuing south along the Grampians Peaks Trail. The track winds its way up, over and under rocky outcrops for the next 2.3km.
At the next track junction follow signs leaving the Grampians Peaks Trail and head west, downhill towards Pohlners Road and the Stapylton Campground track junction where the track heads north-west for 3km leading back into the Stapylton Amphitheatre and back on to the Grampians Peaks Trail.
This concludes the loop and you return to Mt Zero Picnic Area via Flat Rock.
Lower Waterfalls of Gar (Mt Difficult)
Troopers Creek Campground Return walk: 4.2km. 2 hours
Grade 3 (Medium): Steep sections. Steep rock steps and walking track, creek crossings, slippery rocks, and exposed cliff edges. Note: the walking track beyond the falls and on to Gar (Mt Difficult) and Briggs Bluff is Grade 4: Hard. For fit, experienced and prepared walkers only.
Start: From Troopers Creek Campground. A series of seasonal waterfalls that are best seen after rain. Spectacular views from rocky lookouts.
Follow the creek side track steadily uphill for 1.8km past the first small waterfall spilling from a wave-shaped rock. Continue on upwards enjoying fine views to finish at the base of the third waterfall. Return via the same route.
Lake Wartook Lookout
Mt Difficult Road Return walk: 1.1km, 40 minutes
Grade 3 (Medium): Uneven surfaces, slippery rocks, exposed cliff edges.
Start: Lake Wartook Lookout, Mt Difficult Road. Approximately 4.5km north of Boroka Lookout carpark.
From the roadside you will walk west before climbing steadily up rock staircases and over rocky terraces to finally climb through a narrow rocky slot onto the summit. Return via the same route.
Lake Wartook Lookout to Halls Gap
Mt Difficult Road
One-way: 10.9km, 3-4 hours
Vehicle drop/shuffle required or 20.7km return, 6-7 hours
Grade 4 (Hard): Challenging steep sections, rock hopping, slippery surfaces and exposed rocky outcrops.
Start: Lake Wartook Lookout, Mt Difficult Road. Note: unsealed road access to the lookout car park requires higher clearance vehicles. Limited parking available.
From Lake Wartook Lookout follow the Grampians Peaks Trail south for 1.1km to cross the Mt Difficult Road and for 2km walk through low forest before taking steep descending steps into taller forest. It is a gradual downhill walk south via the Chatauqua Peak saddle, Clematiss Falls and the Botanic Gardens into Halls Gap.
Signal Peak
Mt Abrupt Carpark
Return walk: 7.8km, 3 - 4 hours
Grade 4 (Hard): Challenging steep sections, rock hopping, slippery surfaces and exposed rocky outcrops.
Start: Mt Abrupt Carpark. Cross the Grampians Tourist Road and follow the signs to Mt Abrupt and Signal Peak. The track steadily rises through low forest, crossing several landslides that occurred in 2011.
Turn right after 1.7km at the track junction. Signal Peak is 2.2km from here. Follow the track for 2.2km as it winds below a rocky escarpment and through a saddle with tall trees. From the saddle the track climbs up onto the drier western slopes of Signal Peak passing through heathy vegetation before finally reaching the summit at an elevation of 780m.
More Grampians Peaks Trail experiences
Grampians Peaks Trail
The Pinnacle walks
Overnight Hikes
Brambuk The National Park and Cultural Centre
Grampians Peaks Trail Day Walks
This area is well known for its wildlife. Keep an eye out for:
How to get there
Day walks
The Grampians Peaks Trail currently starts and finishes in Halls Gap, which is a good starting point for anyone looking to walk or hike any of the trails in the Grampians National Park. The 260 km drive to Halls Gap from Melbourne along the Western or Glenelg Highways takes about 3 hours. There are approaches to Halls Gap via Stawell, Ararat or Dunkeld.
Facilities
When you're there
Local Visitor Information Centres can assist with accommodation, walk, dining, tours, activities, festivals, events and Licensed Tour Operators.
Go to www.visitgrampians.com.au to explore the many possibilities available.
Grampians Peaks Trail Day Walks fact sheet
Download the Grampians Peaks Trail Day Walks fact sheet to find out more information about the walks and maps.
Bushwalking tips
A range of detailed walking guides including maps are available from Brambuk The National Park and Cultural Centre, Halls Gap and other visitor outlets in nearby towns.
Here are a few planning tips to keep you safe and prepared:
- Plan your walk to match the weather, your fitness, hiking skills and experience.
- Take a backpack with maps, food, water, protective clothing, first aid and navigation gear.
- Wear boots or shoes with strong grip, wear layered clothing suited to the weather.
- Strong winds, low temperatures and heavy rain/squalls can occur any time of year.
- In Winter temperatures can be below 0°C. Navigation is difficult in white-out conditions.
- In Summer and Autumn temperatures are often above 40°C. Have a personal bushfire plan.
- Keep an eye on track markers. Stop and seek shelter if you are unsure of your location.
- If walking alone or in remote areas, ensure you have your own emergency contact in place.
- Ensure your contacts know your start, finish times and locations.
- Always leave early in the morning and plan to return before dark.
- Walking tracks may involve rock steps, uneven and slippery track surfaces, water crossings and rock hopping.
- There are steep cliffs throughout the Grampians, please stay on clearly marked trails, avoid clifftop selfies, and supervise children at all times.
Caring for the national park
- There are no rubbish bins - reduce your use of disposable items and take all of your rubbish home with you.
- Dogs and domestic pets are not permitted anywhere in the Grampians National Park, including in your car.
Be fire ready
Ensure you have a personal fire plan. Source a copy of the Fire Danger Information Sheet. Available from Brambuk the National Park and Cultural Centre and local Visitor Information Centres.
For emergency updates and fire information call 1800 226 226, listen to local radio (94.1FM, 89.3FM, 91.7FM or 594AM), download the VicEmergency phone app or visit emergency.vic.gov.au
The Grampians National Park overlaps the Wimmera and South West fire districts.
Need to know
Day walks
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.
Although the walks on this page are not suitable, a TrailRider all-terrain wheelchair and volunteers are now available for park visitors with limited mobility to explore the natural beauty of other parts of the Grampians National Park. The Grampians has two TrailRiders available for visitors and both of these chairs are fitted with electric motors to assist operators on steeper sections of track. Passengers must wear a helmet.
The TrailRider all-terrain wheelchair and Volunteer service is free of charge, however, please book a week in advance. To book the TrailRider please contact the Volunteer Coordinator on (03) 8427 3541 or volunteer@parks.vic.gov.au
Assistance dogs are welcome in Parks Victoria parks and reserves. Entry requirements apply for parks and reserves that are usually dog prohibited, such as national parks.
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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.
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Grampians National Park
Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park Update 31.03.2023
Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park was impacted by heavy rainfall and flash flooding during spring and early summer 2022. Multiple roads and some visitor sites are temporarily closed for assessment, repair works and upgrades. The movement of visitors in these parts of the National Park is restricted.Major Road Closures
Red Rock Road and Mitchell Road closed.
Lodge Road is partly closed (section from Syphon Rd to Asses Ears Road).Regional Roads – Mt Victory Road UpdateWith works to complete the final seal and finishing work at Mt Victory Road underway, the road is operating under shuttle flow with traffic management in place. The work is scheduled to be completed by the end of March 2023. Please plan your journey and follow the directions on all on-site signage. We thank the communities of Halls Gap, Wartook and surrounding areas for their continued patience while we carry out these vital works. For more information, call 133 788, email westernprojects@roads.vic.gov.au or visit Mt Victory Road west of Halls Gap | Regional Roads VictoriaSeasonal Road ClosuresSeasonal road closures are in place due to flood damage. They have remained in place since November 2022. Seasonal roads will gradually reopen after repair works and final assessments are completed.Please see the latest road report attachment for full road and track details at the bottom of this page.Key Visitor Sites ClosuresBoroka LookoutThe northern viewing platform at Boroka Lookout is temporarily closed for upgrades. Visitors can still access the southern viewing platform.MacKenzie FallsThe large rock shelf area, opposite the base of the MacKenzie Falls is closed. Recent investigations have revealed a significant rock fall risk from the cliff above the area.Views of MacKenzie Falls at the base, are from the walking track only. Due to limited viewing, the track may be crowded, especially over weekends and Easter. For visitor safety, please stay on the walking track and to avoid crowds visit early in the morning or later in the afternoon. Alternately, the Falls can be viewed from above, by taking the less strenuous MacKenzie Falls Lookout Walk. Further improvements are planned as part of the MacKenzie Falls Revitalisation projectSilverband FallsThe Silverband Falls closure is in place due to flood damage. Visitors can access Clematis Falls and the Venus Baths loop as alternative walks.Current Campground closures due to closed roads
Kalymna Campground is closed.
Grampians Peaks TrailGrampians Peaks Trail sites impacted by closures
Griffin Trail Head is Four-Wheel Drive access only.
For park information, visitors can contact 13 1963 or visit the Brambuk the National Park and Cultural Centre in Halls Gap.Attachments: Grampians (Gariwerd) NP Road Report 31.03.2023 (182KB)
Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park - Planned Burns Autumn 2023
Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMV) will be commencing the Autumn Planned burn program in Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park from late March to early May 2023, weather permitting.This year there are a number of planned burns scheduled to occur across the National Park. Visitor areas such as the Grampians Peak Tail (GPT) and some campgrounds will be affected.To enable FFMV staff to safely operate in the burn area and to provide protection of park visitors, closures will be in place on some roads, walking tracks and campgrounds during ignition, until the burn area is declared safe. This may be for one day or multiple days at a time.For more detail on how to stay informed - Please refer to the attachment below.Attachments: GNP_GARIWERD_ALL_AREA_INFORMATION_SHEET_2023 - Planned Burns (349KB)