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Top 5 Day walks in the Grampians

ado_m

13-Jul-2016
9:29:59 AM

I am going away this weekend for a (gulp) non-climbing camping trip wanting to do a couple of pleasant day walks. Top 5 recommendations?

Excluding Zumpstein/Mackenzie's fall, Stapleton Ampitheatre, or the main walks around Halls Gap? Preferring something non-touristy, eg walking up giant staircase at Mt Rosea, or perhaps walking out to the Fortress (never been there). Adventrous and minor scrambling is fine, but nothing too crazy. Any suggestions welcomed....

patto

13-Jul-2016
10:33:46 AM

Up flat rock and over Mt Stapylton and then down into Summer Day valley.

One of the best short hikes I've done in the Grampians. Not touristy, has occasional markers to mark the path over the rock. Includes adventurous scrambling, include exploration of hollow mountain cave. Great views of Taipan wall.

This is the hike. You can start at either car park. I prefer starting at flat rock finishing at Stapylton car park, better approach views IMO. If you have two cars you can car shuffle otherwise you just finish with a 1.5km walk next to the road.
https://www.trailhiking.com.au/stapylton-ampitheatre/

Zebedee

13-Jul-2016
10:50:51 AM

Grampians National Park is currently experiencing severe weather conditions. High winds, snowfall (potentially down to 300m in elevation) and cold conditions are forecast over the next couple of days.

If you intend on visiting the park, make sure you are well prepared for these conditions:
•Avoid remote areas where high winds and rainfall are causing hazardous trees and boggy unsealed roads
•Wear the right protective clothing for cold/wet conditions – temperatures in many places will fall below zero with a severe wind chill factor
• Let people know where you are going and when you intend on returning
• All wheel drive and four-wheel drive vehicles are recommended in snowy and icy conditions
Avoid taking unnecessary risks - Be Safe, Be Prepared

Edit: This is the current weather advice for the Park. Enjoy your weekend!

patto

13-Jul-2016
12:43:35 PM

Grampians this morning with the "boggy roads" and "snow covered peaks".

The Grampians warning is a little on the overstated side for those who are experienced in the outdoors. Though I can't imagine my friends doing doing a wet canyon today will be toasty warm....

Grinder

13-Jul-2016
3:18:42 PM

Agree that the Stapylton loop that Patto recommended is one of the best walks around. The section between Stapylton and Hollow Mountain takes some figuring out though.
A different approach to Mt Stapylton is to do it from Golton Gorge. It's a there-and-back walk and involves a section of 4WD track, but the Gorge is interesting and track to Stapylton is much quieter than the main trail.

Bundaleer - Calectasia Falls - Tower Hill is a nice little adventurous loop. Bundaleer to the falls is cross-country but straightforward with a map and compass. Then there is a trail up to The Tower and down the other side back to the Rosea Track. If you're bold enough you could solo up The Tower itself at about grade 7, but soloing down would be harder.

There are several loops you can do around Mt Rosea that start at either Borough Huts or the Rosea Carpark and include the standard walking track, the giants staircase, the Cathcart Memorial Track and the Burma track. Have a look at the map and chose something that matches your sense of adventure and fitness.

There is a walking track from Wallaby Rocks Road across to the Asses Ears and on to the Asses Ears Rd if you can manage a car shuffle. Alternatively retrace your steps from the top of the Ears. You won't meet anybody else here, and you'll spy lots of virgin rock as well as the odd fixed hanger on the cliffs along the way.

One to try this weekend while there may still be snow on the ground is to get up to the Major Mitchell Plateau via the Jimmy Creek Track. Once you get up to the plateau you get great views and maybe some snowballs. You can start at the old gold mining area of Mafeking instead, which is interesting but gives you a bit more walking on 4wd track.

There are several good loops around Briggs Bluff and Mt Difficult but this area is closed at the moment.
Mt Abrupt and Mt Sturgeon are pleasant short walks that you could do separately in a day

kieranl

13-Jul-2016
8:24:49 PM

Walk up the Fortress from Harrop Track is pretty nice or it was last time I did it quite a few years ago. A couple of hours to walk up, a couple of hours to explore and a quick downhill run back to the car.

ado_m

14-Jul-2016
10:50:47 AM

Great advice guys, thanks a lot.
I'm fully prepared.

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