The best walks and hikes in Alpine National Park

Mount Feathertop, at 1,922 metres, is Victoria’s second‑highest peak and one of its most impressive, with steep, angular slopes unlike the rounded domes of nearby summits with sweeping 360-degree views across surrounding ranges, especially in clear weather. It forms part of the Victorian Alps in the Alpine National Park and is often snow‑covered from June to September. The mountain is joined to Mount Hotham by the Razorback ridge, making it a standout in the High Country.

This junction marks the turnoff from the Razorback Track to the main camping and shelter area below Mount Feathertop. The nearby Federation Hut provides a modern emergency day use and overnight refuge, and is a popular base for summit attempts, with tent sites scattered across the surrounding alpine flats (no fee).

This small alpine shelter sits just below Mount Bogong’s summit plateau near the top of Staircase Spur. This compact metal hut provides emergency shelter in the mountain’s harsh and changeable weather, serving as a key waypoint for walkers approaching the summit. Nestled among snow gums and alpine heath, it offers limited protection from wind and snow, but is not intended as primary overnight accommodation.

Michell Hut is a small emergency shelter located on Mount Bogong’s exposed summit plateau, providing shelter for walkers in severe alpine conditions. This simple metal hut sits near the junction of several routes, including approaches from Staircase Spur and Eskdale Spur, making it a key navigation point in poor weather. While not intended for overnight stays except in emergencies, it offers essential protection from the mountain’s frequent wind, snow, and sudden weather changes.

Eskdale Spur Track is a steep, sustained ascent route on Mount Bogong, climbing from Mountain Creek along a long, forested ridge to the summit plateau. The track passes through tall mountain ash forest before breaking into snow gum woodland and exposed alpine terrain, with significant elevation gain over a relatively short distance. Less travelled than Staircase Spur but equally challenging, it offers expansive ridge views before joining the final summit approach near Michell Hut.

Staircase Spur is the most direct and popular route to Mount Bogong’s summit, and is a steep climb from Mountain Creek Track that runs along a well-defined ridge. The track gains elevation quickly through forest before opening up above the treeline onto exposed alpine terrain with expansive views along the way. Known for its sustained grade and minimal flat sections, it’s a challenging but straightforward ascent to Bivouac Hut and the summit plateau.

Mount Bogong is Victoria’s highest peak at 1,986 metres, with a wide summit marked by a prominent cairn and expansive views across the Victorian Alps. The exposed plateau is often windy and can experience rapid weather changes, with snow common in winter and lingering into spring. From the top, there are sweeping panoramas over surrounding ridgelines, high plains, and distant peaks, making it one of Australia’s most rewarding alpine viewpoints.

Via the Razorback trail, 10km each way over a magnificent alpine ridge at 1850m ASL.