Best trails in Little Desert National Park
Want to find the best trails in Little Desert National Park for an adventurous hike or a family trip? AllTrails has 10 great trails for hiking and walking and more. Enjoy hand-curated trail maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you.
Ready for your next adventure? Explore one of 4 easy hiking trails in Little Desert National Park that are great for the whole family. Looking for elevation? Trails in this park range from 29 to 3,421 feet of elevation gain. Whatever you have planned for the day, you can find the perfect trail for your next trip to Little Desert National Park.
Top trails
- 4.2 (46)·Moderate·2.6 mi·Est. 1–1.5 hrExplore the Wimmera River, the largest land-locked river in Victoria, whilst navigating through ancient River Red Gums in the Little Desert National Park. This area is idyllic and bursting with wildlife so keep your eyes peeled for our much-loved furry friends, Kangaroos, as well as a huge array of beautiful birds up in the canopy. The trailhead is accessible from Horseshoe Bend Road, you will find a lovely campsite here so if you're looking for an overnight spot to spend time lazing upon...
- 4.3 (20)·Easy·0.5 mi·Est. 0.5–1 hrA wonderful short nature hike near Dimboola provides an excellent introduction to the Little Desert. West of Horseshoe Bend Road is the well-maintained gravel Pomponderoo Hill Road. Follow the circuit track up to the top of a sandhill to the viewing point with expansive views of the Little Desert National Park. This is also a great trail to spot birds with emu, common bronzewing, crimson chat, and maned duck all frequenting the park.
- 4.0 (18)·Hard·29.2 mi·Est. 10.5–11.5 hrThis three-day walk is the shorter version of the route, the full one is 4 days. It leads you through the variety of landscape, flora and fauna that the National Park has to offer from heathlands, salt lakes to dry woodlands and the Wimmera River. There are huts at the end of each section to stay the night, they are only accessible on foot, be sure to inquire if booking in advance is required.
- 4.5 (14)·Moderate·7.3 mi·Est. 3–3.5 hrThis loop track, starting from Kiata Campground in Little Desert National Park, offers a rewarding journey to a high point with expansive views. The trail winds its way through the unique landscape of the Little Desert, characterised by sandy plains, dunes, and diverse Mallee vegetation. Much of the track involves walking through sandy terrain, which can be quite deep and soft in places, making it challenging underfoot, especially in dry conditions. The path takes you through woodlands...
- 3.9 (7)·Moderate·8.2 mi·Est. 3–3.5 hrWhen open, this track offers a surprisingly beautiful walk through the Eastern Block of Little Desert National Park. The route is a point-to-point journey, starting from the popular Horseshoe Bend Campground on the Wimmera River and heading deep into the park's famous Mallee scrubland. The landscape is defined by its hardy Mallee vegetation, including native stringybark, banksia, and sheoak. There is very little shade along the way, so sun protection is essential. It's a fantastic area for...
- 3.6 (11)·Hard·46.6 mi·Est. 17–18.5 hrThis four-day walk leads you through the variety of landscape, flora and fauna that the National Park has to offer from heathlands, salt lakes to dry woodlands and the Wimmera River. There are huts at the end of each section to stay the night, they are only accessible on foot, be sure to inquire if booking in advance is required.
- 4.2 (6)·Easy·0.5 mi·Est. 0.5–1 hrExperience this fantastic walk in nature by taking a stroll along this family-friendly track in the Little Desert National Park. Engage all your senses as you listen to the sweet melodies of the birds and feel the gentle breeze rustling through the leaves. Breathe in the fragrant scents of the bush and admire the lush greens of the bushland and the warm sunlight seeping through the branches. Take a moment to relax and connect with nature.
- 4.3 (4)·Moderate·3.2 mi·Est. 1–1.5 hrThis pleasant loop starts from the Kiata Campground and takes you through a wonderfully diverse range of vegetation types. It's one of several tracks that begin at the campground, a peaceful spot nestled among yellow gum and black box woodland. The sandy track winds through areas of Silky Tea Tree, Stringybark, tall Broom-bush, and Mallee scrub. This habitat is a haven for birdlife, so listen out for kookaburras and magpies, and you may even spot possums in the evenings. A key feature of...
- 3.2 (5)·Easy·1.5 mi·Est. 0.5–1 hrThis gentle circuit offers a pleasant introduction to the unique environment of the Little Desert, departing conveniently from the Kiata Campground. The route is named for the majestic River Red Gums that feature along the way, providing a striking contrast to the surrounding sandy Mallee scrub that characterises much of this region. A key highlight of the loop is the chance to step back in time at the old Eucalyptus Distillery site. Here, you can see the remnants of local history and get a...
- 2.3 (5)·Easy·1.1 mi·Est. 0.5–1 hrOffering a gentle introduction to the distinct sandy landscapes of the Wimmera, this short loop is a fantastic starting point for visitors new to the region. Located within the Little Desert National Park, the track offers a concentrated glimpse of the area's unique biodiversity without requiring a lengthy trek into the remote wilderness. As the name implies, the path winds through stands of Desert Stringybark, their textured trunks contrasting with the soft, sandy soils underfoot. Despite...
![Little Desert Discovery Walk: Full Route [CLOSED]](/mugen/image/location-app-router?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.alltrails.com%2Fapi%2Falltrails%2Fv3%2Ftrails%2F10968816%2Fprofile_photo%3Fkey%3D3p0t5s6b5g4g0e8k3c1j3w7y5c3m4t8i%26show_static_map%3Dtrue%26size%3Dlarge%26static_map_scale%3D1%26static_map_size%3D512x217&w=3840&q=75)
![Stringybark Walk [CLOSED]](/mugen/image/location-app-router?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.alltrails.com%2Fapi%2Falltrails%2Fv3%2Ftrails%2F11271044%2Fprofile_photo%3Fkey%3D3p0t5s6b5g4g0e8k3c1j3w7y5c3m4t8i%26show_static_map%3Dtrue%26size%3Dlarge%26static_map_scale%3D1%26static_map_size%3D512x217&w=3840&q=75)
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Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to hike in Little Desert National Park?
According to users from AllTrails.com, the best place to hike in Little Desert National Park is Wimmera River Walk Loop [CLOSED], which has a 4.2 star rating from 46 reviews. This trail is 2.6 mi long with an elevation gain of 324 ft.
What is the longest trail in Little Desert National Park?
According to AllTrails.com, the longest trail in Little Desert National Park is Little Desert Discovery Walk: Full Route [CLOSED]. This trail is estimated to be 46.6 mi long.
How many trails are in Little Desert National Park?
There are 10 trails in Little Desert National Park.These trails have an average 3.8-star ratingfrom 136 AllTrails community reviews.
Which trail has the most elevation gain in Little Desert National Park?
Little Desert Discovery Walk: Full Route [CLOSED] has the most elevation gain with 3,421 ft of total ascent. The park's runner-up is Little Desert Discovery Walk: Short Loop [CLOSED], which has 2,066 ft of elevation gain.
Are there camping trails available in Little Desert National Park?
According to AllTrails.com, there are 7 camping trails in Little Desert National Park and the most popular is Wimmera River Walk Loop [CLOSED] with an average 4.2 star rating from 46 community reviews.
Are there running trails available in Little Desert National Park?
According to AllTrails.com, there are 3 running trails in Little Desert National Park and the most popular is Pomponderoo Hill Nature Walk [CLOSED] with an average 4.3 star rating from 19 community reviews.
Are there any trails with historical ruins in Little Desert National Park?
Yes, there is one trail with historical ruins in Little Desert National Park: Red Gum Loop [CLOSED].
Are there any trails with picnic areas in Little Desert National Park?
Yes, there is one trail with a picnic area in Little Desert National Park: Keith Hately Nature Walk [CLOSED].
