Distance: 21 Km | Duration: Hrs | Grade: TBA | Rating: | Style: Circuit | Map
About the Walk
Overview
This walk takes you through a mixture of woodland and lush ferns, waterfalls, moss-covered rocks, weather-beaten outcrops, and stunning views of the surrounding plains and hills. Stay at Beeripmo Campground overnight.
The Walk in Detail
This two day backpack involves walking 7.2km on the first day and camping at Beeripmo Campground which has 10 tent pads and toilets. Day two is a 13km walk to complete the loop back to the car.
This walk takes you through a mixture of woodland and lush ferns, waterfalls, moss-covered rocks, weather-beaten outcrops, and stunning views of the surrounding plains and hills. Pick up the clearly marked track at the back of the campground. Turn left so as to follow the circuit track in a clockwise direction. Continue up steeply past the Raglan falls About 30 mins later catch your breath at a lookout with good views. The climb from here is more gentle and follows a brilliant green fern lined gully.
On reaching Camp Road continue on the track straight ahead, and cross Main Mt Cole Rd. The climb is steady up Cave Hill where the forest changes to more sub-alpine vegetation and rocky outcrops. The track then swings northerly with extensive views of the plains to the south, Mt Langi Ghiran and the Grampians. In this area in Spring you may be lucky enough to see the Mt Cole Grevillea flowering.
Approaching Mt Sugarloaf there is a track to a carpark on the right. Keep left and continue the steep climb. Look out for Wedge-tail Eagles and views back to Cave Hill. Over the top pass a turnoff on the left to Sugarloaf Walking Track and continue ahead. When you reach the Firebreak Track turn left and shortly reach the Beeripmo Campground (for walkers, with tables and toilets). It is approx 3.5 hours from the start of the walk.
From here continue down the track and cross Freemans Track. The climb uphill to Mugwamp campground is a moderate grade and you have more views to the East. You will pass the turnoff to Mt Buangor lookout, which is 2kms each way and offers good views of the State Park if you have the time. Continue right on the track for 200 m to Mugwamp.
Continue along the Beeripmo Track for about a km to cross over Mt Cole road and start the homeward leg of the walk. This is a gradual downhill of approximately 2 hours through regrowth forest then along Long Gully where the Eucalypts become taller. Follow the walk markers across a couple of roads and past the turnoff to The Glut. At this point it is 700m back to the start (and finish) at Richards.
If done as a two day backpack you could walk 7.2km on the first day and camp at Beeripmo Campground. Day two would be a 13km walk to complete the loop back to the car.
Getting There
This walk starts and finishes at Richards Campground. Take the Western Highway to Beaufort. Turn right just past the Rotunda in the main street of Beaufort. (Mobil Service Station on the opposite corner.) Follow the signs to Mt Cole and Beeripmo. Travel north to Raglan then follow the Elmhurst road for about 9 km and take the Glut road fork to the left. Turn left again at the sign to Richards Campground. The car park is a short distance up this road.
Walk Precautions
Additional Information
Richards campground: