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Guide To Hiking Trails In Melbourne
Hiking has long been deeply rooted in human history. Originally known as 'walking for pleasure' when it first officially caught on back in the eighteenth century (although religious pilgrimages have practised the act of hiking long before that), hiking is much more than simply 'going for a walk and looking at pretty nature things'. Hiking is a way to reconnect with nature, a form of exercise, an enjoyable day out with friends and family, a way to challenge your limits, a relaxing stroll at the end of a busy week - it is whatever you make of it.
And when it comes to some of the best hiking trails in Australia, Melbourne has plenty of strong contenders. So whether you see hiking as a challenging escapade or a relaxing moment to centre your thoughts, here is where you'll find the best hiking trails in Melbourne.
Quick Links:
- Eastern Sherbrooke Forest Walk, Dandenong Ranges National Park
- Bushrangers Bay Trail, Mornington Peninsula National Park
- Circuit Walk, Werribee Gorge
- Neds Gully Track, Cathedral Range State Park
- Deadman's Loop, Brisbane Ranges National Park
- Flinders Peak Walk, You Yangs Regional Park
- Keppel Lookout Trail, Steavenson Falls
- Organ Pipes Circuit, Organ Pipes National Park
- Lerderderg Gorge Circuit Walk, Lerderderg State Park
Eastern Sherbrooke Forest Walk, Dandenong Ranges National Park
The Dandenong Ranges National Park is just on the doorstep of Melbourne and has one of the best hiking trails on our list: the Eastern Sherbrooke Forest Walk. Towering trees that scrape the edge of the sky, the gentle trickle of water from nearby cascades and pulchritudinous flora gracing the forest floor, all amalgamated with a vibrant green colour palette is but a mere taste for the hungry hiker with an appetite for sensational vistas. With a length of 7.1km, it should take most hikers around 2.5 hours to complete and offers spectacular views of the surrounding Yarra Valley.
Why you'll love Eastern Sherbrooke Forest Walk:
- Just outside of Melbourne
- An abundance of incredible views
- Plenty of nearby walking tracks to discover
Bushrangers Bay Trail, Mornington Peninsula National Park
Affluent views of busy wildlife, soaring green hills and endless stretches of blue ocean: Bushrangers Bay Trail in the Mornington Peninsula National Park has it all for the eager hiker. The awe-inspiring Bushrangers hiking trail begins at the Cape Schanck car park area and ends at the stunning Bushranger's Bay Beach. All up it should take around 45 minutes to complete the 2.7km walking track, as you walk through the beautiful Main Creek and Banksia Groves. Hikers with a keen eye can spot kangaroos hopping about, colourful birds chatting in the trees above and even pods of whales swimming in the distant Bass Strait.
Why you'll love Bushrangers Bay Trail:
- Lots of wildlife to see
- Awesome walking trail by the ocean
- Shorter walking trail
Circuit Walk, Werribee Gorge
With a difficulty rating of medium to hard, the Circuit Walk at Werribee Gorge is exactly what adventurous hiking have been searching for. This hiking trail stretches out for 10km and takes about 4.5 hours to complete. However, this is definitely not a family-friendly hiking track, as there is a 50m cable handrail section near the Meikles Point Picnic Area to assist hikers with the tricky angle rocks high above. Definitely strap on some high-quality hiking shoes for this hiking trail!
Why you'll love Circuit Walk:
- More difficult walking track more experienced hikers
- Longer hiking track
- The best way to see and experience Werribee Gorge
Neds Gully Track, Cathedral Range State Park
Cathedral Range State Park is another top choice for great hiking trails in Melbourne, showcasing jagged ridges and stunning panoramic views of the gully below (with the highest point of the track reaching 840m in elevation). Although Neds Gully Track takes about one hour to complete and is only 2.2km long, the difficulty of this hiking trail is rated between medium and hard, so make sure you are well-rested beforehand. For hikers looking to push themselves, the Neds Saddle section splits off into more challenging trails including Little Cathedral, The Farmyard, Cathedral Peak and Neds Peak walking tracks.
Why you'll love Neds Gully Track:
- One of the highest walking tracks
- A shorter walking track
- Lots of nearby walking tracks to fill out the day
Deadman's Loop, Brisbane Ranges National Park
Ranging between medium and hard, Deadman's Loop walking track isn't as scary as the name would suggest. In fact, it will take you on an expedition through Victoria's richest wildflower habitat, proudly displaying over 400 species of flowers for die-hard anthophiles such as Hyacinth Orchid, Naked Sun Orchid and Tiny Caladenia. Deadman's Loop walking track covers 10km and should take the average hiker about two and a half hours to complete.
Why you'll love Deadman's Loop:
- One of the more harder walking trails
- Victoria's richest wildflower habitat
- Stunning views of the Brisbane Ranges National Park
Flinders Peak Walk, You Yangs Regional Park
If you're a passionate hiker who is looking for a dog-friendly walking track (as long as they stay on a lead) that is just under one hour's drive outside Melbourne, then Flinders Peak Walk at You Yangs Regional Park is the one for you. Taking just under an hour to complete, the 3.2km hiking track might not be as long as some of the other walking tracks on this list, but with 450 steps gradually inclining to a 200m elevation, Flinders Peak Walk will definitely be a workout. The reward awaiting those who reach the highest peak will be treated to tremendous views of an isolated yet stunning landscape, quietly hiding in plain sight.
Why you'll love Flinders Peak Walk:
- Dog-friendly walking trail
- Just outside of Melbourne
- Perfect for a morning walk
Keppel Lookout Trail, Steavenson Falls
The Keppel Lookout Trail begins and ends at one of Victoria's largest waterfalls, taking you through a five hour journey over 15.5km through a coruscating mountain ash and stringybark forest. This medium-difficulty track features plenty of steep and uneven terrain, so proper hiking shoes and plenty of water are a must. The halfway mark of the track, which is also the highest point, is Keppel Lookout. The views on offer here are magnificent, featuring roaming hills of the Cathedral Ranges that stretch into the distance.
Why you'll love Keppel Lookout Trail:
- Features one of Victoria's largest waterfalls
- A long walking track
- A more challenging walking trail
Organ Pipes Circuit, Organ Pipes National Park
Roughly 20km outside of Melbourne resides one of the most unique natural formations in Australia: the Organ Pipes (basalt columns that are scientifically referred to as trap rock). This incredible formation occurred when molten lava exploded from nearby volcanoes in Sunbury and flowed through the Keilor Plains around 2.5 million years ago. Apart from the breathtaking photo opportunities available, there is also a plethora of activities to do such as bird watching, picnicking, fishing and much more.
Why you'll love Organ Pipes Circuit:
- Features one of the most unique natural formations in Australia
- Heaps of activities to do nearby
- A great excuse to explore outside of Melbourne
Lerderderg Gorge Circuit Walk, Lerderderg State Park
The Lerderderg Gorge Circuit Walk is a rustic experience through real Victorian bush. Beginning at the Mackenzies Flat Picnic area, this fantastic walking trail will lead you through the twists and turns of the Lederderg River and finishes at Graham's Dam. This is a fairly easy yet long walking track, totalling 13.5km and taking between four to five hours to complete. A standout feature is a sumptuous 300m deep gorge that flows through the park along with plenty of dramatic views that await the eager hiker.
Why you'll love Lerderderg Gorge Circuit Walk:
- A longer walking track
- Features a massive deep gorge
- Too many photo ops to count
Explore the Tranquil Hiking Trails Melbourne Has to Offer
So there you have it, our top picks for the best hiking trails in Melbourne. Whether for a relaxing way to spend the weekend or for an energising way to exercise, hiking is a fun way to see the many awesome sights that Victoria has to offer. Ensure you are ready for you hiking adventure by checking out the vast collection of men's hiking shoes, women's hiking shoes and outdoor clothing for the whole family.
Make sure you check out our Adventure Centre for more exciting destinations that you can visit with your friends, family and loved ones. You might also like some of our other articles such as:
