Grade 4
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.
Gar and Werdug 3-day/2-night hiking itinerary
This section of the Grampians Peaks Trail has not been affected by recent bushfires in the national park.
Along this hiking itinerary in the northern section of the Grampians Peaks Trail, you'll witness seasonal waterfalls, climb mountain summits and enjoy clifftop camping.
The track is an overall Grade 4 walk with steep and uneven terrain, suitable for fit and experienced hikers.
Gar (meaning ‘big mountain’) is the highest on the western side of the range, an optional side trip on day two will reward you with spectacular 360-degree views. On day three you’ll reach Lake Wartook Lookout (829m) which is one of the highest points on the eastern side of the Mount Difficult Range with sweeping 360-degree views of Gariwerd.
This section of the Grampians Peaks Trail is particularly spectacular in winter, spring, and after rain, when clifftop rockpools and seasonal waterfalls are at their best.
Distance: 34km
Duration: 3 days
Elevation: 1526m
Grade: 4
Northern Grampians Peaks Trail map – Gar and Werdug
Hike options
- Self-guided: the trail is free to self-guided hikers, but camping fees apply to stay overnight. Book campgrounds.
- Fully-facilitated: book a Northern Peaks Experience through a Licensed Tour Operator. Find out more.
Getting there
This section of the trail begins from Gar Trailhead on Roses Gap Road.
From Melbourne, it’s around 3.5 hours' drive.
From Halls Gap, drive north on Grampians Tourist Road (C216) for 1.2km. Turn left onto Mt Zero Road (unsealed) and drive for 21km to Roses Gap Road. Turn left onto Roses Gap Road and drive for 3.8km to Gar Trailhead.
This itinerary requires a car shuffle from start to finish. If you only have one vehicle, contact Brambuk the National Park and Cultural Centre for pick-up/shuttle options.
Gar and Werdug 3-day itinerary highlights
Day 1 – Gar trailhead (Roses Gap Road) to Gar Hike-in Campground
Distance: 7km
Duration: 2 hours
Elevation: 544m
Begin your hike at the Gar Trailhead on Roses Gap Road (N2 on GPT topographic map). Along the 7.3-kilometre rugged, rocky track you'll experience steep climbs and panoramic views including the seasonal waterfalls of Gar.
As the trail zig zags upwards, you’ll see uninterrupted views to the north. You will climb through stunted eucalypt forest, past boulders and over rocky slabs on the edge of the Mount Difficult escarpment taking in views over nearby mountains, Wartook Valley, Asses Ears and the Black Range (Burrunj).
Arrive at the Gar Hike-in Campground, perched on a spectacular cliff top high above the valley below, where you’ll spend the night camped along the rocky terrace.
The climb to Gar Hike-in Campground
Day 2 – Gar Hike-in Campground to Werdug Hike-in Campground (via Gar)
Distance: 17km
Duration: 5 hours
Elevation: 738m
From the hike-in campground, take a side trip to the rocky summit of Gar (Mount Difficult). Enjoy the sunrise before traversing south towards Lake Wartook along rocky ridgelines.
The trail rises and falls over highpoints and through mountain saddles, before finishing on a high knoll at Werdug Hike-in Campground. The campground provides views over Lake Wartook and across the Mount Difficult Range.
Sunrise from Gar
Day 3 – Werdug Hike-in Campground to Halls Gap
Distance: 13km
Duration: 3.5 hours
Elevation: 244m
Start the morning off with a steady climb to Lake Wartook Lookout for spectacular views and a morning tea break.
To the west is Lake Wartook with Bear Island in the middle, the western Mount Difficult Range, Asses Ears and the Black Range (Burrunj) in the far distance. To the south, Mount William (Duwul) dominates the skyline, curving from The Sentinel at the northern tip around to the highest mountains in the park - Redman Bluff and including Mount William (Duwul) and the Major Mitchell Plateau massif.
Leaving the Lake Wartook lookout, make the descent passing rocky outcrops through lower vegetation with the last views over the Mount Difficult Range. Leaving the dry and rocky northern Grampians and moving onto the wetter eastern slopes, the trail gently descends through a canopy dominated by Messmate and Brown Stringybark with an open understorey featuring ferns, grasses, wattles and tea trees.
Take a short detour to Chatauqua Peak (Bim) before descending through tall forest, rich with birdlife and wildflowers, completing your journey in Halls Gap.
Lake Wartook Lookout
This 3-day hiking itinerary connects with the Barigar overnight hike to the north, as well as other tracks, so you can step on and off from various points throughout Gariwerd.
Gar and Werdug hike-in campground information
On this itinerary, you’ll spend your first night at Gar Hike-in Campground, and second at Werdug Hike-in Campground.
These campgrounds can be booked together as a 3-day/2-night itinerary at a cost of $103.60 for up to two people on a tent pad. Book now.
These fees contribute towards the operation and maintenance of this unique hiking experience and help to protect the environmental values of this heritage-listed national park.
We recommend booking your 3-day hike well in advance of your planned departure to ensure there is tent pad availability at each campground.
Each campground has been individually designed to fit within the surrounding landscape.
Both campgrounds have timber tent platforms (either 3.5m x 3.5m or 5.0m x 5.0m) with steel chains that can be used to secure your tent. Additional guy rope may be needed for tent vestibules or tunnel style tents.
There is an unpowered communal area for meal preparation with basic toilet facilities and water collection points. The use of fuel stoves in all hike-in campgrounds is permitted but open campfires are not allowed.
Please take your rubbish with you on the entire journey and dispose of it when you return home or finish your walk.
Important: mobile phone service is not available within the Wartook Basin, but you may get some along ridgelines and lower elevations.
Communal area at Werdug Hike-in Campground
Prepare for your adventure
Water safety
Plan and prepare
7 Things You Need To Know About Hiking the Grampians Peaks Trail
Laura Waters, long distance hiker and author, was one of the first hikers on the trail, setting out on the first day of the GPT opening.
How to get there
Gar and Werdug 3-day Hike
Need to know
Gar and Werdug 3-day Hike
Walking track grades
Hikes along the Grampians Peaks Trail have been graded using the Australian walking track grading system, which is a primary means of informing people about the features of walking tracks, so they can gauge their suitability for a particular track. Under the system, walking trails are graded on a difficulty scale from grades one to five.
Grade 1: No bushwalking experience required. Flat even surface with no steps or steep sections. Suitable for assisted wheelchair users.
Grade 2: No bushwalking experience required. A hardened or compacted surface which may have gentle hill sections or occasional steps.
Grade 3: Suitable for most ages and fitness levels. Tracks may have short steep sections, a rough surface and many steps.
Grade 4: Bushwalking experience recommended. Tracks may be long, rough and very steep. Directional signage may be limited.
Grade 5: Very experienced bushwalkers with specialised skills, including navigation and emergency first aid. Tracks likely to be very rough, very steep and unmarked.
Hiking tips for Grampians Peaks Trail
- An Official Grampians Peaks Trail topographic map (for North/Central/South) available from Brambuk the National Park and Cultural Centre, Halls Gap and other visitor outlets in nearby towns (and compass)
- Waterproof jacket and pants, thermal layers, breathable-fabric layers, beanie, sun hat and sunscreen.
- Hiking boots or shoes with a good tread and support.
- Water and food for all meals and snacks, plus extra for an emergency. Fuel stove for cooking.
- Drinking water treatment equipment for untreated water tanks at campground.
- 3-season tent, 3-season sleeping bag, mat and cord/thin rope to attach your tent to timber tent platforms.
- Lightweight gas or liquid fuel stove, matches/lighter, cooking pot and utensils.
- Head torch with spare batteries. Useful when moving around a campground at night.
- Good quality first aid kit with snake bite bandage.
- Mobile phone with USB cable – you can recharge at campgrounds along the trail. We also recommend taking a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) for extra safety and a small radio to listen to weather or bushfire updates.
- Toilet paper, trowel and a bag to carry your rubbish.
- Waterproof pack liner to keep everything in your hiking backpack dry.
Be bushfire aware
The warmer months are the perfect time to experience regional Victoria. However, Victoria is one of the most fire-prone areas in the world. During summer in Victoria, the weather can be very hot and dry and the risk of summer lightning storms can increase the chance of bushfires.
Follow these bushfire safety tips to ensure that your experience is safe and enjoyable.
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 (Gariwerd) National Park
The Balconies Walk and Reeds Lookout carpark
The walk to the Balconies from Reed Lookout carpark is closed for track repair works from Monday 12th of May to Friday 23rd May 2025.The Reeds Lookout carpark will be closed from Monday 12th of May to Tuesday 13th of May 2025. The closure extends to Mount Victory Rd to support heavy vehicle material carting.From Wednesday 14th of May 2025 to Friday 23rd May 2025, the Reeds Lookout carpark will reopen with 50 percent fewer parking spaces and limited turnaround space for vehicles towing trailers.Grampians Peaks Trail – Helicopter Operations – 20.05.2025
Helicopter Air-Lift Operations are scheduled along the Grampians Peaks Trail (GPT) on Tuesday 20th May 2025.An all-day closure will be in place at Piccaninny East (Bainggug) carpark. The carpark will be reopened at the earliest opportunity possible. The Piccaninny (Bainggug) walk to the summit and return only remains accessible from the Victoria Valley Road parking area. The roads in and around the reservoirs are closed.Temporary ‘hold in place’ closures of approximately 15 minutes at Hike-in campgrounds and walking tracks will be activated as staff work to remove toilet pods on the Grampians Peaks Trail. Please see the sites listed below.Signage will be installed at trailheads and staff will be on ground to assist with temporary closures. Please follow signage advice and remain clear of closed areas during operations.The operation will only take place under favourable weather conditions. Should the operation be suspended, a contingency day on Wednesday the 21st of May 2025 is available for works to re-commence when conditions are deemed favourable.Temporary ‘hold in place’ closures of approximately 15 minutes will occur at:GPT Hike-in Campgrounds· Barigar, Gar, Werdug and Mud-Dadjug Hike-in campgroundsWalking Tracks/Management Vehicle Only tracks (MVO)· Walking tracks and MVO’s north and south of the GPT Hike-in campgrounds listedHelicopter Landing Sites (HLS)· Lake Wartook HLS & Piccaninny East carpark HLSFor further information, please visit Brambuk the National Park and Cultural Centre in Halls Gap or call 8427 2258.Coppermine 4WD Track Partial Closure
Partial closure of Coppermine Track 21-23 May 2025Coppermine Track will be partially closed between Coppermine Campground and Mt Zero Rd from Wednesday 21 May until Fri 23 May 2025 for roadworks.Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park - Roads Update 20.05.2025
The Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park has many roads temporarily closed due to the recent bushfires. Please be aware the movement of visitors in parts of the National Park is restricted.Key roads open include Grampians Tourist Rd (most side roads remain closed), Mt Victory Rd, Sundial Rd, Silverband Rd, Roses Gap Rd, Mt Zero Rd and Victoria Valley Rd.Please refer to the attached up-to-date road report below.Attachments: Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park - Road Report - 20.05.2025 (217KB)
The Pinnacle Walk from Wonderland Carpark
Track repair works will take place on the Pinnacle Walk (halfway along in the Bridal Veil Falls area) from Monday 12th of May to Friday 23rd May 2025. The walk will remain open however visitors may experience delays. The Forest Loop Walk turn off near the works area offers an alternative route to access the Pinnacle Lookout.Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park - Bushfire Reopening Update – May 2025
The impact of the 2024/2025 summer fires in Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park was widespread. It resulted in the closure of many popular visitor sites including campgrounds, picnic areas, a large network of roads and walking tracks (including sections of the Grampians Peaks Trail).Parks Victoria is now progressing with large scale fire recovery works across the park. To complement these, a staged re-opening of visitor sites is being implemented.The sites, which have reopened from April 18, 2025 are:· Silverband Falls Walk and Silverband Road· Balconies walk· Sundial carpark and the walk to the Pinnacle and Lakeview lookout walk (Sundial Peak remains closed)· Boroka Track Walk· Jimmy Creek and Wannon Crossing Campgrounds· Kalymna Campground and Kalymna Walk· Griffin Trailhead to Cassidy Gap Rd (Grampians Peaks Trail) – Walkers can now access this area by either pick up or drop off at Grampians Tourist Rd. The Griffin Fireline Track remains closed to vehicles but open to walkers accessing the Grampians Peaks Trail via the Griffin Trailhead.For more detailed information please see the attached Park Update on “what is open” and “what is closed’ in the park.Attachments: GNP Park Update May 2025 (556KB)
Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park – Fire Recovery Update – May 2025
The impact of the 2024/2025 summer fires in the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park was widespread. Parks Victoria is now progressing with large scale fire recovery works across the park. For more detailed information, please see the attached Fire Recovery Update May 2025.Attachments: GNP Fire Recovery Newsletter May 2025 (1,327KB)
Run The Gap 2025 - Fun Run Event – Halls Gap and surrounds
Run the Gap 2025 is an annual fun run being held in Halls Gap and surrounding areas of the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park on Sunday May 25th, 2025.Schedule7:30am – 21km run8:10am – 12km run8:30am - 6km run8:35am - 6km walkThe trail running courses will be held on several walking tracks, with marshalled road crossings and event stations in place at several visitor sites.For more detail on the event including start and finish locations for each distance visit:If you are visiting the area on these dates and require more detailed information, contact Brambuk the National Park and Cultural Centre on (03) 8427 2258. -
Brambuk the National Park and Cultural Centre (Brambuk - The National Park and Cultural Centre Park, Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park)
Brambuk the National Park and Cultural Centre – Closures during 2025
Brambuk the National Park and Cultural Centre – Closures during 2025· Cultural tours, activities and venue hire currently unavailable.· Park information centre and gift shop remain open.Parks Victoria is working with a strategic partnership committee of Gariwerd Traditional Owners from Barengi Gadjin Land Council, Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation, and Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation to ‘reimagine’ the future of Brambuk the National Park and Cultural Centre.The reimagining project aims to renew Traditional Owner management arrangements of the Brambuk precinct and includes careful consideration of the tourism and visitor experiences, commercial opportunities, cultural education and training programs that may be available in the future. As part of this project, there are also building upgrades and refurbishments that require the Cultural Centre to be closed during 2024-25. However, the park information centre, gift shop and self-guided walks remain available.For Junior Ranger School holiday programs visit https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/things-to-do/junior-rangersFor a list of Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park Licensed Tour Operators Visit https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/ltoFor up-to-date national park information, brochures, maps, permits and access advice contact information staff at Brambuk the National Park and Cultural Centre info@parks.vic.gov.au or phone 8427 2058Further details on the Brambuk Reimagining project can be found on the Parks Victoria website https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/projects/western-victoria/brambuk-cultural-centre-upgrade