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Best trails in Dandenong Ranges National Park

Best trails in Dandenong Ranges National Park

4.4(31,219 reviews)

·

Australia
: 
#8 of 637 national parks

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Dandenong Ranges National Park is located in the Greater Melbourne region in Victoria on Wurundjeri land. Its landscape consists of rainforest, rolling volcanic hills, steep valleys and gullies home to a variety of wildlife, including lyrebirds, cockatoos, kookaburras, wallabies, sugar gliders, echidnas and wombats.

Take a hike up the park to enjoy the beautiful views over the valley. The shared-use trails are ideal for trail running, bushwalking, and mountain biking, and there are extensive facilities at many of the trailheads.

Top trails

  1. #1 - Lyrebird Walk, Neuman, Paddy, and Coles Ridge Loop

    4.7(2498)
    ·Moderate
    ·4.2 mi
    ·Est. 2–2.5 hr
    Beginning from the Coles Ridge car park, follow the road back to the start of the Lyrebird track. Follow the track for about 1 kilometre before branching off and taking Neuman Road through mountain ash forest and past an open meadow. After the meadow, stay to the right to continue on Paddy Track which crosses Hardy Creek, before becoming the Welch Track. A short trip through more forest and tree ferns leads you to Coles Ridge Track, where you begin the last section back to the car park. ...

  2. #2 - Sherbrooke Forest Circuit

    4.7(1410)
    ·Moderate
    ·7.3 mi
    ·Est. 4–4.5 hr
    Immerse yourself in the cool, lush world of the Dandenongs on this loop through towering Mountain Ash forests and ancient fern gullies. It's a classic Victorian bushwalk that feels a world away from the city, offering a perfect blend of serenity and physical challenge. The track meanders past Sherbrooke Falls, a lovely spot to pause and listen to the water cascading over the rocks. Be prepared for some steep pinches that will get your heart rate up—it's not a flat stroll, but the scenery is...

  3. #3 - Kokoda Track, One Tree Hill, and Lyrebird Track

    4.6(2095)
    ·Moderate
    ·2.6 mi
    ·Est. 2–2.5 hr
    This is a great hike that will get the heart pumping! The walk starts up the infamous 1000 steps on Tree Fern Gully Track, goes on to One Tree Hill, then turns around and comes down Lyrebird Track back to the start. The Tree Fern Gully Track is also known as the Kokoda Track, so named because veterans of the Kokoda Campaign adopted this park as a memorial site in 1998. The walking track through dense rainforest and fern-covered forest floor so closely resembled the beginning of the Kokoda...

  4. #4 - Sherbrooke Falls via Ridge, Moores Break and Lloyds Track

    4.5(1618)
    ·Moderate
    ·3.9 mi
    ·Est. 2–2.5 hr
    The Sherbrooke Falls via Ridge, Moores Break, and Lloyds Track is a popular and accessible loop that guides you through the stunning tall forests of Mountain Ash and lush tree fern gullies in the Dandenong Ranges National Park. The trail features sustained moderate climbing on natural paths that can become very muddy after rain, requiring sturdy footwear. The route is highly scenic and remains primarily shaded, making it an ideal choice on a sunny day. The trail's centrepiece is the cascading...

  5. #5 - Dandenong Ranges Loop

    4.5(1621)
    ·Moderate
    ·7.5 mi
    ·Est. 3.5–4 hr
    This is an excellent, relatively easy hike through the Dandenong Ranges National Park. There are some moderate uphills (or downhills, depending on your direction) along the way, but it makes for great exercise. While the Dandenongs can get crowded, if you find yourself here on a weekday, you’ll likely find some solitude among the walking tracks and rainforest. This route includes some on-road walking (dirt roads), but many alternate paths can be taken to lengthen or shorten your hike. A...

  6. #6 - Belview Terrace, Ramu and Tree Fern Gully Track

    4.6(1035)
    ·Moderate
    ·3.2 mi
    ·Est. 2–2.5 hr
    This route can be done in either direction, but most hikers choose to go anti-clockwise. Most of the track is easy, except for the 1,000 stairs section, which is steep, narrow, and rocky but leads to great views. You may wish to arrive early as this route is famous and attracts many people, especially on a warm weekend. The loop links together School Track, Belview Terrace, Ramu Avenue, the 1000 steps and finally, Tree Fern Gully Track to get back to the beginning. Several other walk options...

  7. #7 - Sherbrooke Falls via Ridge Track, Hillclimb, and Pound Creek Track

    4.5(613)
    ·Moderate
    ·2.4 mi
    ·Est. 1–1.5 hr
    Towering mountain ash trees and emerald tree ferns create a majestic canopy over this serene circuit in the Dandenong Ranges. The journey takes you through the heart of Sherbrooke Forest, where the air is cool and scented with damp earth and eucalyptus. The destination is the peaceful Sherbrooke Falls, where the creek cascades gently over rock ledges into a fern-filled gully. While the falls are more of a tranquil stream than a thundering drop, the surrounding scenery is spectacular. Keep...

  8. #8 - Sherbrooke Falls Loop via Hackett, Pound Creek, and Hillclimb Tracks

    4.4(738)
    ·Moderate
    ·4.8 mi
    ·Est. 2.5–3 hr
    This lovely easy walk features rolling hills, steeply weathered valleys and gullies covered in thick temperate rainforest, predominantly of tall Mountain Ash trees and dense ferny undergrowth through the Sherbrooke forest. This walk culminates with two passes of the notable Sherbrooke Falls. Following the peaceful streams of Sherbrooke Creek and Pound Creek around Dandenong Ranges National Park, this walk showcases wonderful native bushland and rainforest and fauna such as lyrebirds,...

  9. #9 - Kokoda Track Memorial Walk (1000 Steps)

    4.5(421)
    ·Moderate
    ·1.9 mi
    ·Est. 1.5–2 hr
    The Kokoda Track Memorial Walk is an iconic trail just outside Melbourne on Wurundjeri land, nestled within the Dandenong Ranges National Park. The track features a steep climb with plaques devoted to Australian soldiers from the real Kokoda Trail in Papua New Guinea during World War II. The stairs were initially constructed in the early 1900s from tree fern trunks in the muddier wet gully sections to make the 260m ascent an easier climb. Most of these steps have now been replaced to...

  10. #10 - One Tree Hill to Thousand Steps Loop

    4.6(606)
    ·Moderate
    ·6.3 mi
    ·Est. 4–4.5 hr
    This is a lovely, scenic trail in Dandenong Ranges National Park. The route begins from the Kokoda Trail trailhead, where parking is available nearby on Lord Somers Road. Follow the Kokoda Track Memorial Walk for a steep descent and then make the climb up the ridge line along Belview Terrace. The Macedon Track will then bring you to the top of Chandlers Hill, where you'll descend the other side and loop around for a steady climb back to where you started. Most of the tracks are named,...
Showing results 1–10 of 136
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Frequently asked questions

Where is the best place to hike in Dandenong Ranges National Park?

According to users from AllTrails.com, the best place to hike in Dandenong Ranges National Park is Lyrebird Walk, Neuman, Paddy, and Coles Ridge Loop, which has a 4.7 star rating from 2,498 reviews. This trail is 4.2 mi long with an elevation gain of 1,007 ft.

What is the longest trail in Dandenong Ranges National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, the longest trail in Dandenong Ranges National Park is Oxfam Trailwalker Melbourne 2023. This trail is estimated to be 62.8 mi long.

How many trails are in Dandenong Ranges National Park?

There are 136 trails in Dandenong Ranges National Park.These trails have an average 4.4-star ratingfrom NaN AllTrails community reviews.

Which trail has the most elevation gain in Dandenong Ranges National Park?

Oxfam Trailwalker Melbourne 2024 - 100km Course has the most elevation gain with 10,754 ft of total ascent. The park's runner-up is Oxfam Trailwalker Melbourne 2023, which has 10,725 ft of elevation gain.

Are there running trails available in Dandenong Ranges National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 76 running trails in Dandenong Ranges National Park and the most popular is Sherbrooke Forest Circuit with an average 4.7 star rating from 1,410 community reviews.

Are there biking trails available in Dandenong Ranges National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 20 biking trails in Dandenong Ranges National Park and the most popular is Dandenong Ranges Loop with an average 4.5 star rating from 1,621 community reviews.

Are there any trails with waterfalls in Dandenong Ranges National Park?

Are there any trails with scenic mountain peak views in Dandenong Ranges National Park?

Are there any trails with scenic viewpoints in Dandenong Ranges National Park?

Are there any trails with picnic areas in Dandenong Ranges National Park?

Are there any trails with historical monuments in Dandenong Ranges National Park?