Introduction
If you’re dreaming of big skies, wild ridgelines and long days on the trail, the Victorian Alps may just be the place for you to find your time and space. This is a spectacular region where the mountains feel close enough to touch – where snow gums twist against the sky, where alpine meadows roll into deep river valleys, and where every day brings a new horizon.
Park Trek offers two beautiful but distinctively different walks in the Victorian Alps. One is a gentle, immersive introduction to the Victorian High Country; the other is a summit‑focused challenge that takes you to the top of three of Victoria’s highest peaks.
Whether you’re seeking variety, views and history – or the thrill of standing on the state’s highest peaks – the Victorian Alps deliver some of the best hikes in the Victorian High Country.
What and where are the Victorian Alps?
The Victorian Alps sit within the Australian Alps and the Alpine National Park in north‑east Victoria. This region is often called the Victorian High Country, a landscape defined by:
- rolling snow plains
- steep river valleys
- exposed alpine ridgelines
- ancient snow gum forests
- historic cattlemen’s huts, and
- some of Victoria’s highest peaks, including Mt Bogong, Mt Feathertop and Mt Dunn.
For walkers, this is where “Victorian mountains” stop being merely a backdrop and become an experience under your boots – from undulating high‑altitude plains to tough summit days on the state’s highest peaks.
Why the Victorian Alps are perfect for hiking
There are not many places in Australia where you can truly feel “in the mountains” for days at a time. The Victorian Alps offer that rare sense of immersion.
Walkers love this region for its:
- Dramatic ridgelines with 360‑degree views
- Cooler alpine temperatures in hiking season
- Big mountain atmosphere without needing ropes or technical skills
- Rich High Country history, including huts such as Wallace, Cope and Tawonga
- Constantly changing scenery, from grassy snow plains to wildflower‑covered slopes
This combination makes the Victorian Alps one of the best places for multi‑day hikes in the Victorian High Country, especially when you join a guided Park Trek tour that takes care of logistics, navigation and safety.
Park Trek’s two very different Vic Alps tours
Park Trek runs two four‑day guided hiking tours in the Victorian Alps. Both are based out of the alpine hub of Bright, are fully supported, and only require you to carry a day pack.
They share the same beautiful Victorian mountain setting – but they deliver very different experiences.
1. Victorian Alps Highlights – 4-Days
A relaxed, immersive introduction to the High Country
Covering around 35 km over four days, this itinerary is designed for walkers who want variety, views and history without the very long summit days of the Three Peaks itinerary.
What you’ll experience
- Waterfalls such as Eurobin and Ladies Bath Falls
- A day on the Mount Buffalo plateau, taking in lookouts like Mackeys and Falls
- A gentle final day on the Ovens River Canyon Walk, with time for a coffee or even a swim
- Classic Mount Buffalo National Park walks, exploring granite tors, lookouts and snow gum forests
- Short rock scrambles through the Chalwell Galleries – a jumble of granite boulders with Mt Bogong views.
Accommodation & atmosphere
Each evening you return to cosy riverside cabins near Bright, with:
- Nibbles platters
- Private bedrooms
- Shared living spaces
- Hearty home‑style meals
- Evening briefings using maps to show where you’ve walked
- A dinner out at a local brewery to sample some of the areas finest
This trip showcases some of the best hikes in the Victorian Alps for walkers who want big views and variety without extreme elevation.
2. Victorian Alps 3-Peaks Challenge – 4-Days
A summit‑focused adventure for experienced hikers
If you’re chasing the best high country hikes in Victoria and love a physical challenge, this itinerary steps things up considerably. Across four days and roughly 55 km, you’ll summit three of the highest Victorian mountains – carrying only a day pack whilst tackling big elevation and long days on trail.
Key highlights
- Mt Dunn on day one – a shorter warm‑up walk with inspiring views across the Mt Buffalo plateau
- Mt Bogong via the Staircase Spur and Eskdale Spur – Victoria’s highest peak at 1,986 m
- A spectacular traverse of the Razorback to Mt Feathertop, the state’s second‑highest mountain
- A gentle final day along the Ovens River Canyon to stretch out tired legs
Who it’s for
This is a very challenging (Grade 4) hike recommended for fit, experienced walkers who are comfortable with full days of sustained climbing and descending.
You stay in the same style of riverside cabin accommodation as the Highlights tour, with all meals, snacks and national park fees included, plus two professional guides and small groups of up to 10.
3. Side by Side: Which Victorian Alps walk suits you
| Feature | Vic Alps Highlights 4 Day | Vic Alps 3 Peaks Challenge 4 Day |
| Approx. distance | ~35 km over 4 days | ~55 km over 4 days |
| Grade | Moderate, undulating terrain | Grade 4, very challenging |
| Key peaks & walks | Mount Buffalo walks, Chalwell Galleries, waterfalls, Ovens River Canyon | Mt Dunn, Mt Bogong, Razorback to Mt Feathertop |
| Elevation gain | Smaller altitude changes | Big ascents and descents on consecutive days |
| Best for | Walkers wanting alpine scenery and variety | Very fit hikers seeking a serious challenge |
| Group size & guiding | Max. 10 guests, two guides | Max. 10 guests, two guides |
| Accommodation | Riverside cabins near Bright | Same cabins, optional single supplements |
If you’re unsure which Victorian Alps walk suits you, consider how you want to feel at the end of each day – pleasantly tired after exploring varied alpine landscapes, or satisfyingly exhausted after standing on the state’s highest summits.
When we recommend hiking the Victorian Alps
The Victorian High Country is a region for all seasons, but not all seasons are safe for multi‑day alpine hiking.
Park Trek’s tours run in spring and autumn/early summer, when:
- trails are accessible
- snow and ice have retreated
- temperatures are comfortable
- daylight hours are long enough for summit days.
Season by season
Summer (Dec–Feb) Warm in the valleys, cooler at elevation, wildflowers in bloom. Great for hiking but can bring heatwaves and afternoon storms.
Autumn (Mar–May) Clear, stable weather; crisp mornings; brilliant autumn colour around Bright. Ideal for big days like Bogong and Feathertop.
Winter (Jun–Aug) Snow, ice, sub‑zero windchill and snowy slopes. This is ski season – not suitable for non‑technical guided walking.
Spring (Sep–Nov) Snowmelt, lush forests, lingering snow patches at altitude. Excellent for hiking.
This seasonal approach is one reason guided hiking tours in the High Country are so valuable: itineraries are timed to match the safest, most rewarding weather windows.
Terrain, Huts, Food and Where You Stay
Both tours focus on rich, varied terrain and the feeling of truly being “out in” the Victorian mountains – while still returning to comfortable accommodation each night.
On the trail you’ll encounter:
- Alpine plateaus and snow plains
- Steeper High Country ascents, including the Razorback and Staircase Spur
- Historic huts such as Michell Hut on the Eskdale Spur.
Back in Bright, you’ll enjoy:
- private bedrooms
- shared living spaces
- the tranquillity of the nearby Ovens River
- hearty breakfasts, pack‑your‑own lunches and two‑course dinners
- snacks, fruit, tea and coffee
This balance of wild Victorian High Country hikes by day and warm hospitality at night makes these some of the best guided hiking tours in Victoria.
Who our Victorian Alps walks are best suited to
Victorian Alps Highlights 4 Day is ideal if you:
- enjoy moderate day walks
- want time to soak up views, waterfalls and historic sites
- want some of the best hikes in the Victorian High Country without extreme summit days
Victorian Alps 3 Peaks Challenge 4 Day is ideal if you:
- have excellent fitness
- regularly tackle full‑day bushwalks
- are confident on steep, uneven terrain
- want a guided, logistically simple way to climb Bogong and Feathertop
If nine‑hour summit days sound exciting rather than intimidating, the 3 Peaks tour might be your perfect Victorian Alps challenge.
Maps, Gear & Planning Your Victorian Alps Walk
A good map is essential in the Victorian Alps – not just for navigation, but for understanding how the valleys, high plains and big summits connect across the broader Victorian mountain range.
On your Park Trek trip, guides use detailed maps during evening briefings to show:
- where you’ve walked
- where well‑known Victorian High Country tracks sit
- how tomorrow’s hike fits into the wider landscape
Park Trek’s clothing guide for alpine walking is the perfect companion resource (see here).
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to hike the Victorian Alps?
Late November to early April offers the safest and most enjoyable conditions.
Are the Victorian Alps suitable for beginners?
Yes – the Highlights tour is perfect for active beginners. The 3 Peaks tour is best for experienced hikers.
What are the highest mountains in Victoria?
Mt Bogong (1,986 m) is the highest, followed by Mt Feathertop (1,922 m), then Mt Nelson (1,880m).
Do I need special gear?
Layered clothing, sturdy boots and a waterproof jacket are essential. See our guide to clothing.
Are guided hiking tours worth it?
Absolutely – Our Park Trek guides manage safety, navigation, logistics and weather, especially important in alpine environments.
Your Victorian Alps Adventure Awaits
The Victorian Alps are a place that stays with you – long after the last step, long after the final view. Whether you’re drawn to gentle alpine trails or the thrill of summiting Victoria’s highest peaks, this region offers some of the best hikes in the Victorian High Country.
Both Park Trek tours celebrate the beauty, history and spirit of the Victorian Alps. All you need to do is choose the adventure that speaks to you.
Why Walk the Vic Alps with Park Trek
At Park Trek, we’re passionate about delivering experiences that transcend the ordinary. With our expert guides, comfortable accommodation, and carefully curated itineraries, you’ll discover the Victorian Alps in a way that’s both exhilarating and enriching.
So, if you’re ready to lace up your boots and answer the call of the wild, join us on either of our Vic Alps Walking Tours. Adventure awaits!
Happy Walking,
Charles & The Park Trek Team
Park Trek acknowledges and pays its respects to the Traditional Owners of the lands upon which we wander as a walking company. We recognise the unique place held by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the original custodians of the lands and waterways across our continent, with histories of continuous connection dating back more than 60,000 years. We are proud to live on the planet’s oldest continent with the oldest continuous living culture. We support the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
