Distance: 18 Km | Duration: 6 Hrs | Grade: TBA | Rating: | Style: Return | Map
Best Season: Autumn, Spring
About the Walk
Overview
This walk is the beginning of the Bicentennial National Trail which ends in Cooktown 5,300 km away. It involves a 900m climb from Donnelly's Weir to the top of Mt St Leonard, and hopefully a good view. The return is by the same route.
The Walk in Detail
This is an excellent forest walk on good tracks for those happy to have a steady climb for about 3.25 hours. It is a good wide track, no drops or scrambling required although some sections could be slippery, particularly after rain.
The walk commences on a service road for the water catchment before joining Road No. 11 which continues up the spur. After 6.3km the track leaves Road 11 and there is a steep ascent for 1.8km through lush bush to the Mt St Leonard towers access road. From here it is a short walk to the summit and good views of the ranges and towards Melbourne.
The return walk is by the same route.
Getting There
Melway Map: 270 G5. Donnelly's Weir is reached from Healesville via St Leonard Road which forks off the Maroondah Highway northwards near the east end of the shops. After 1.3km turn right on to Donnelly's Weir Road and travel 700m, avoid a road off to the right and cross the small Watts River. Some 400m further on diverge left for another 700m to a ford and gate which marks the entry to the weir area.Walk Precautions
Some sections could be slippery after rain