10 Best hikes and trails in Yarra Ranges National Park

Best trails in Yarra Ranges National Park

4.2(5,013 reviews)

Australia
:
#65 of 638 national parks

Yarra Ranges National Park, situated in the Central Highlands of Victoria, is a stunning destination offering diverse natural attractions and experiences. The park is a sanctuary for many native animals, including kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, platypi, and hundreds of bird species. The park's landscape is characterised by dense tree and bush forests, pristine rivers, and mesmerising waterfalls that showcase the beauty of nature at its finest.

One of the best ways to appreciate the park's natural splendour is by climbing one of the many accessible summits. From these vantage points, visitors can enjoy breathtaking views that stretch as far as the eye can see, including the world's tallest flowering tree, the Mountain Ash. The park also boasts plenty of opportunities for majestic forest bush walks, creek-side picnics, or scenic drives through the park.

It's important to note that the Yarra Ranges National Park is part of the traditional Country of the Wurundjeri People, who have an ongoing role in caring for the land. The park is steeped in cultural significance, and visitors can learn more about the rich history and culture of the Wurundjeri people by taking part in guided tours or visiting the cultural sites within the park.

Yarra Ranges National Park is a must-see destination for anyone seeking to connect with nature and learn more about the unique cultural heritage of this stunning region. Whether you're an avid hiker, a birdwatcher, or simply looking for a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life, this park has something to offer everyone.

Top trails

#1 - Donnelly's Weir and Maroondah Dam

This fantastic hiking trail gives you different perspectives of the Maroondah Dam and Watts River. By the Maroondah Dam Wall, you'll find plenty of spots to relax and take in the peaceful scenery with many public amenities located in the area. The route follows a nice wide gravel track that's well-signed. There is one small steep section, but there are some unique views and scenery (the dam wall and the reservoir) along the way, and if you're lucky, you'll see a wallaby or two as well.

This is a pretty trail through the Yarra Ranges National Park in the Yarra Ranges Region of Victoria, located near Healesville. The track winds through tall Mountain Ash trees and lush riverside vegetation abundant with beautiful tree ferns. The track begins at the Badger Weir Picnic Area at the end of Badger Weir Road, where parking, BBQs, and public toilets are available. The gate to Badger Weir opens at 8 am, but the hours of closure may change throughout the year. Check the signage...

#3 - Mount Victoria Track

This is a very steep track so be prepared, The 1,100 metre ascent is long and steep and treated as medium-hard. Watch out for leeches and mud if it has been raining recently. It starts off in the car park off Mount Wellington Road and crosses the aqueduct trail before heading into the forest this is where it starts to climb and doesn't stop till the summit. Where there are views over the surrounding Yarra Valley Dandenong area and to Mount Juliet Ben Cairn. It intersects at about half up...

#4 - Mount Donna Buang and Mount Victoria Loop

This is the shorter option to go to the summit of Mount Donna Bunuang as it starts at the summit car park. From the start, there are views over the surrounding Yarra Valley Dandenong area, Mount Juliet, and Ben Cairn. From the trailhead, walk along the trail towards Mt Victoria, eventually popping out on Mount Donna Buang Rd. Walk the roadside uphill for approximately 1km until you reach the 10 Mile Picnic Area. Pick up the linking trail at the rear of the car park, taking you back onto the...

Planted in the 1930s, the Redwoods in this forest are a favourite with locals and day trippers from Melbourne. This is a terrific family-friendly walk with the beautiful sounds of nature and scenery. The track is located on the outskirts of the Yarra Ranges National Park - just a short distance from the town of Warburton. Beginning from Cement Creek Road, the trail winds through this majestic forest, including Radiata Pine, Western Red Cedar, soaring Bishop Pine, and Douglas Fir. Despite...

This is a rewarding trail through the Yarra Ranges National Park in Victoria, located about 56 kilometres northeast of Melbourne. Enjoy making your way up Mount Riddle (780m) and back again. There are stunning views at about 400 metres from the top. The track begins and ends at the end of Mount Riddle Road in Healesville. A steady constant incline throughout the walk is not too steep, especially in the first half. Most of the track is a wide gravel management road. The summit doesn’t have...

#7 - Warburton River Walk and O'Shannassy Aqueduct Loop

This mixes together sections of various to create a loop that circles around Warburton. A great sampler of ome routes which ar much longer. sampleSuper steep start up a section Donna Buang Trail. Then right along a section the Aqueduct trail to Donna Buang road, then back down towards the village along the Yarra River bank.

#8 - Redwood Forest via O’Shannassy Aqueduct Trail

This is a fantastic trail in Yarra Ranges National Park. The track begins from the Donna Buang Road and follows the O'Shannassy Aqueduct Trail to Redwood Forest. Visitors will treated to fantastic scenery throughout as they follow the primarily flat path with a few gentle hills. The track can get slippery in wet weather, so wear proper shoes with good grip.

#9 - Mount St Leonard Circuit

This long circuit around Mount St Leonard in the Yarra Ranges provides a great escape for a full day's walk or run in tropical forest. The circuit can be done in either direction – clockwise lending itself to a nice gradual ascent up a wide path (Track 11) and then a steeper descent on the east side, and anti clockwise being a bit tougher with an ascent up Track 17 and then a nice and easy descent after the summit of Mount St Leonard. Views do stretch from the top of the mountain but it is...

#10 - Mount Saint Leonard Track

This challenging trail takes in a large swathe of the north-eastern Yarra Ranges National Park border, taking you to the Summit of Mount Saint Leonard. This route is fairly straightforward, with few trails nearby to take you off track. That said, making sure you have your phone charged and maps offline is essential in case you find yourself wandering off track. You can drive straight through the water before the Donnellys Weir Picnic Area carpark if it's low. Otherwise, park before it and...

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Top Picks in Yarra Ranges National Park

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Trail reviews for Yarra Ranges National Park

7,428 trailgoers Busiest in April

Jen Hoiles

Apr 19, 2025•Hiking

Easy to parkNot crowdedGreat conditionsGreat views

My sister and I loved every part of this loop. Beautiful bushland and some amazing views. Visted Boundary Hut ruins as well (highest point in the Yarra Ranges). I wore gaiters, which helped with areas with blackberries. Great day out topped off with a Buxton Burger on the way home!

Lake Mountain and Keppel Hut Loop

Chelsea H

Dec 27, 2024•Hiking

Good conditionsGood viewsEasy to parkNot crowded

Went late afternoon/early evening between Xmas and New Year. Only a couple of other cars there. Very quiet and peaceful. Beautiful area with a lovely fragrance, interesting bird calls and several kinds of wildflowers in abundance. Great views around the Yarra Ranges. The trail is clearly marked but between Sherlocks Lookout and Alps Lookout it is very overgrown with a lot of fallen logs - if you don’t want to be pushing between bushes and climbing over/under fallen trees, you might like to start the loop (anticlockwise) from the Summit via Taggerty Valley View but turn back from Sherlocks. If the last section was better maintained this would be a solid 5 stars! Took 1.5 hours with short pauses to soak in the views at all the lookouts.

Difficulty: Moderate

Lake Mountain Summit and Alps Lookout

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Frequently asked questions

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

According to users from AllTrails.com, the best place to hike in Yarra Ranges National Park is Donnelly's Weir and Maroondah Dam, which has a 4.4 star rating from 539 reviews. This trail is 4.4 mi long with an elevation gain of 777 ft.

What is the longest trail in Yarra Ranges National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, the longest trail in Yarra Ranges National Park is O'Shannassy Aqueduct Trail. This trail is estimated to be 31.4 mi long.

How many trails are in Yarra Ranges National Park?

There are 54 trails in Yarra Ranges National Park. These trails have an average 4.2-star rating from 5,013 AllTrails community reviews.

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

If you're looking for elevation gain, Yarra Ranges National Park has you covered. Maroondah Dam to Mount Tanglefoot boasts the most elevation gain with 6,240 ft of total ascent. The park's runner-up is O'Shannassy Aqueduct Trail, which will get you 5,764 ft of elevation gain.

Are there camping trails available in Yarra Ranges National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there is 1 camping trail in Yarra Ranges National Park which is Lake Mountain and Keppel Hut Loop with an average 4.2 star rating from 87 community reviews.

Are there running trails available in Yarra Ranges National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 18 running trails in Yarra Ranges National Park and the most popular is Donnelly's Weir and Maroondah Dam with an average 4.4 star rating from 539 community reviews.

Are there biking trails available in Yarra Ranges National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 7 biking trails in Yarra Ranges National Park and the most popular is Warburton River Walk and O'Shannassy Aqueduct Loop with an average 4.4 star rating from 255 community reviews.