It’s a case of “brawn vs. beauty” with these two Victorian mountains. Mt Bogong is the state’s highest peak while Mt Feathertop is one of the prettiest, and quite unlike the others in its sharp, rugged formation.
You could conquer both in separate, long day-hikes. Or you could spend a little more time and enjoy staying overnight in the presence of these two Victorian giants.
Getting there and away
Bogong and Feathertop are located in the Victorian Alpine National Park. This area is easily accessible and well-serviced by the towns of Bright and Mt Beauty. Bright is a 4-hour drive from Melbourne via Wangaratta or 10-hour drive from Adelaide via Swan Hill and Echuca.
This presents opportunities to break up the trip from Adelaide with overnight rest stops along the Murray River.
This entire ridgeline is traversed on the Feathertop Summit walk.
Supplies & shops
Bright is best to stock up on groceries and fuel, or Mt Beauty (a couple of supermarkets and fuel stations). Top up supplies as required at Hotham (The General pub & store open year-round – (03) 5759 3523).
A good place to fill up water drums is at Hotham Village Central in the public service area. Myrtleford Shell service station has a good selection of maps.
Hikers walking up Razorback ridge.
Mt Feathertop
Map: Rooftop’s Mt Feathertop Forest Activities 1:50,000 or Victorian Mapsheet 8324-S 1:50,000
Many people choose to visit Feathertop as a long day hike. Approximately 21km return, an undulating trail begins at Diamantina Hut west of Hotham Village and follows the aptly-named Razorback to the summit of Feathertop at 1,922m.
Park your car on the incredibly steep road alongside Diamantina Hut, fill out the visitor book at the trailhead shelter and off you go. If you had any doubts about whether you applied your vehicle’s handbrake it’s probably too late now anyway. Just enjoy the hike and deal with the carnage upon your return.
From the beginning of the trail, the entire length of the Razorback and summit of Feathertop can be observed before you walk it – an impressive and daunting sight. The ridgeline is quite exposed, with little shade or shelter, especially the last section past the Federation hut turnoff.
Weather can change quickly in the Alps, so be prepared with clothing (raincoat & sunhat) and sufficient water.
The view of the final saddle and summit of Mt Feathertop.
Overnighters near Feathertop
There are multiple options for overnight hikes incorporating an ascent of Feathertop. Bungalow Spur is a 10km climb from Harrietville to Federation Hut (~1,100m altitude). Another quality loop is as described along the Razorback to Feathertop, then a hard slog down Diamantina Spur (slippery if brush cutting has occurred recently) and through the valley of the West Kiewa River, camping overnight at Blair’s Hut. The next morning, return to Hotham via Machinery Spur, or alternatively Swindlers Spur and picturesque Dibbins Hut.
There are plenty of wildflowers to discover in the Victorian high country.
Hut etiquette
As with all huts in the High Country, minimise impact and respect tradition by camping outside the huts. Keep them available for ill-weather and emergency accommodation.
Some water is available at Federation and MUMC huts (not to be relied upon in summer), West Kiewa River, and several hard-to-find springs near Feathertop.
Sign near the base of Diamantina Spur, ahead is a painful ascent or joyous celebration if you’re on the way down.
Mt Bogong
Bogong – Rooftop’s Bright Dartmouth Adventure Map 1:100,000 or Victorian Mapsheet 8324-S 1:50,000
What Mt Bogong lacks in prettiness (its more of a giant mound than rugged peak like Feathertop), it makes up with incredible panoramic views and inspiring heritage. Access is via Mt Beauty, or drive up to Falls Creek and hike in from the southern side.
The final leg into Hotham via Swindlers spur.
The Bogong day hike is a not-to-be-sniffed-at 16-20km return trip, gaining ~1,300m of altitude along Staircase Spur from Mountain Creek Road, east of Mt Beauty. The trail ascends with switchbacks through forest and heath to Bivouac Hut. However, after passing the hut the route begins on a thigh-burningly direct path toward the 1,986m summit.
I’ve only ever come down this way, and unless pressed for time, I probably wouldn’t bother with just the day hike when there are so many beautiful places to camp overnight on the southern side of Bogong. Eskdale or Granite Flat Spurs are alternatives for day hiking.
Alpine woods south of Bogong – the trees are still recovering from the 2003 bushfires.
Multi-day hiking around Mt Bogong
It’s possible to explore many of the spurs and peaks to the southwest of Mt Bogong. Or you can link up with the Australian Alps Walking Track via Maddison’s Hut ruins. A recommended two-night itinerary is a short (3hr) first day from Falls Creek to Ropers Hut. This has a beautiful flat camping area underneath huge snow gums.
The following day, cross the valley of Big River to Cleve Cole Hut, visiting Howman Falls along the way. And on the final day, summit Bogong and walk out via Staircase Spur. This itinerary does require two cars and a 4-hour shuffle, so consider returning to Falls Creek via Quartz Ridge and Mt Arthur.
Freeze your giblets off swimming in Howman Falls, a half-hour trip from Cleve Cole Hut south of Bogong.
Preparation
Carry the usual gear as required for day walks or overnight hiking. A 60L rucksack should provide plenty of space if you’re hiking with a partner/group and sharing a tent or stove. Water is usually available from soaks/streams in the mountains, even in the height of summer – treat it or don’t bother at your discretion.
A couple of 1L drink bottles is enough for daily drinking if you camp overnight with access to a water source for cooking. Prepare for chilly nights and for changes in the weather as well.
The Green Tent brigade strikes again – Companion Pro Hiker 2 and my trusty Oztrail purchased from Snowys eight years ago – used on many hikes.
What to Eat
Hiking food is a divisive subject. Most hikers fall into two categories: gourmet MasterChef-style gastronomical pleasure, or just food = fuel! My rucksack is usually full of those five-minute pasta & sauce sachets, a 1kg box of Favourites, a few peanuts, muesli/milk powder and tuna tins. And, not forgetting plenty of tea and coffee.
Each to their own I suppose. But, I reckon as long as you don’t always live on such an unbalanced diet, it helps create heaps of energy and sustenance for an enjoyable walk.
Camping at Roper Hut one trip, I saw brie and crackers followed by a half leg of ham and bottle of wine emerge from one of the fellow’s packs in our group. So, anything is possible if you don’t mind carrying it in! For more on planning meals for your hiking adventures, check out this article here.
Descending Bogong via Staircase Spur – 1,300m of knee-tingling altitude.
Why it’s worth doing
The Alpine National Park area around Mt Bogong and Mt Feathertop offers a myriad of options for exploring and bushwalking.
From well-beaten paths to cross-country bushwhacking, there is something for everyone if you want to experience the beauty and tranquillity of the Victoria High Country.
Is Victoria’s highest peak an adventure you want to undertake?
Chris frequently attempts more adventures than he really has time for.
Hi, thank you for the fantastic writeup!
Would like to check if Bogong / Feathertop are climbable in mid May? Or would it not be recommended due to the proximity to winter?
Cheers
Great to hear you enjoyed it, Matthias! Whether they’re climbable in mid-May I think would be totally dependent on conditions and seasonal differences from year to year. You might be best off jumping into some High Country social media groups or contacting Parks Vic to make sure. Hope that helps, cheers.
Hello, We are hoping to do a five day hike in the Victorian alps with our family. We would like to include Mt Bogong and Mt Feathertop. Our youngest hiker is 10 and everyone have done three days hikes before. Any suggestions of a good trail?
What a great way to kick off the new year, Vanessa! I’m not sure that there is one single trail that would be a match for what you’re after but with a little homework, you could certainly map out your own route by combining parts of 2-3 trails..? Check out the Bungalow Spur Walk and the Mt Bogong via The Staircase Spur Walking Track. Also the Mt Bogong via Eskdale Spur Walking Track and jump into some of the groups on Facebook as well – there’s bound to be loads of people willing to offer good advice. Another great resource with reviews from hikers is AllTrails. Check out this page and this page. Hope that helps!
This is awesome… Thanks for this – such an awesome write up, really helpful! Cheers
Great to hear you enjoyed the article and it was helpful. Thanks Emma!
I have just read your excellent report and it strikes me to ask if there is a trail from Little Mt Bogong down the northern spur back to the the Mountain Creek Campground track? That way it would be a day’s excursion round trip up Staircase (or Eskdale) and back to the Mountain Creek Campsite and have the experience West Peak and Little Mount Bogong as well as Mount Bogong :). I’m hoping somebody (or bodies) has already done this.
Hi Chris,
Re: The Little Mt Bogong option – I haven’t taken that route myself but connecting those peaks as a round trip does sounds like a fun idea in theory…! From a quick search on the bushwalking forums, the route down Little Mt Bogong is reported to be steep and very scrubby, hence its unpopularity, but a few people have done it. Would be worth digging around to find some up to date information I reckon. Cheers, Chris Newman
If you want more of a challenge, more so than the staircase…give the Northwest Spur of Mt Feathertop a try.
Starts just near the Trout farm as you are heading up to Harrietville, the 1st 2.5km wind its way along Stony Creek and then goes verticle, soon to be hands and knees time, a trail far less traveled and sometimes not visible at all winds it way op the northwest spur towards the summit coming out near the MUMC hut. Pack plenty of fluids, there is H2O further on the trail near the junction towards the summit.
Happy trails peoples
Thanks for the info on the NW Spur. That 5km stairway certainly lets you know you’re alive. Trekking poles make a huge difference, something I learned a good many years ago on the Kokoda Trail. Make your arms do some of the work! I came back down the Bungalow spur to Harrietville. Much better on the knees doing it that way around. 5 hours+ for 21 km+ but then I’m well into my 60’s so I’m happy with that 🙂
Fantastic Andrew! Thanks so much for the tips and for sharing your experience. Most people don’t realise how good trekking poles are until they use them and then they wonder how they ever did without them 🙂 Cheers mate
As per previous post I tackled Mt Bogong a couple of weeks ago. I did a 25 km walk in behind Lorne in the Otways a couple of weeks before in preparation for the Bogong hike. This hike revealed a small toe problem which I was thankfully able to sort out with the help of podiatrist. The Bogong hike was probably the toughest day hike I have ever undertaken. It felt like 90 % of the way up on the Staircase was steep. The forest restricts views on the way up to Bivouac Hut. When above the tree-line the vista opens up to reveal panoramic views in all directions including the Kiewa Valley (Tawonga). As you near the top Mt Feathertop comes into view along with what I think is Dartmouth Dam and Mt Kosciuskzo in the distant background. As Chris mentioned in the above article its a thigh-burning (or in my case calf-busting) direct path to the top from Bivouac Hut. When I got above the tree line and looked to the top of the ridge near the peak and saw hikers as specks, I thought am I going to make it, still seems so far. So it was with a real sense of accomplishment when I made it to the top.
I took 3×600 ml bottles of water. The idea was 2 for the way up and 1 for down. I actually needed 2 for the trip down as the temperature rose in the afternoon. A hiker that had too much water was able to fill one of my bottles on the way down. 2 apples to eat during the day, oranges and an oat bar waiting for me in the car on my return. Weather was perfect, about 30 max. in the Kiewa Valley after a cool morning start and about 18 at the top without a cloud in the sky. All paths are clearly marked and sign posted. I highly recommend this hike if you are reasonable fit and when finished you can tick off Victoria’s highest mountain.
Hi Greg, the Staircase is steep indeed! Cheers for your details and recommendations.
Enjoyed the photo’s and reading your notes.
An alternative Feathertop day hike, which I tackled the Fridy before the Labour Day Holiday last year, is up Bungalow Spur from Harrietville and back the same way. 12 kms of steady climbing to the peak and then 12 kms back again. I struggled a bit the last 2 kms to the summit, could have been from the altitude as I usually hike in the Otway Ranges. The last 2 kms back the 58 year old legs started to tighten up a bit. The weather was perfect about 18 at the summit and high 20’s in the Ovens valley, not a cloud in the sky. Scenery was without peer, absolutley magnificant. Took two 600 ml bottles of water which I was able to refill from a stream near the Old Federation Hut site on the way up and back. Parks Victoria had 2 volunteers at the Federation Hut site assisting with directions to water and ensuring campers cleaned up after themselves. I hope to tackle Mt Bogong next.
Thanks for your insights here, Greg. Sounds like you had a decent day on the trails.
OK as basic info, though I recommend SVmaps ‘Bogong Alpine Area’ map for both walks and the whole High Plains area – by far the best. Also the Razorback isnt a spur, its a ridge…..
Thanks Mick, forgot to mention SV’s maps. Razorback would be a mighty long spur if it was…!