Distance: 9 Km | Duration: 6 Hrs | Grade: Grade 3 | Rating: 4 | Style: Circuit | Map
About the Walk
Overview
This short circuit walk takes in many of the Grampians classic attractions – Venus Baths, Splitters Falls, Grand Canyon, Silent Street, the Pinnacle and more. This walk covers the same route as Walk 22, but in an anticlockwise direction. It is slightly less difficult, and the pace will be slower, hence the easier grade.
The Walk in Detail
The track is well marked in most places – follow signage carefully as some arrows are missing from the signs. Follow the Grampians Peaks Trail (GPT) from Halls Gap towards Venus Baths. The side trip to Splitters Falls is a good rest stop.
Return to the GPT and continue towards Wonderland Carpark. This section is steep and some rock hopping over creeks may be needed (the stones are well placed). There is some limited rock scrambling here. The section through the Grand Canyon is spectacular – no need to rush! There are multiple rock formations on the way, and the view opens up as you ascend. At the intersection GNP012 we take the shorter route to the left. Ignore the track to the right to “Gardens of the Grampians” (that is Walk16).
There are many places where good views are evident – some of these places are clifftops, and could be hazardous. The view from the Pinnacle is an iconic one for the Grampians. Lunch at the top is good, but exposed – better lunch areas are available before reaching the Pinnacle.
From the top, the track down to Halls Gap is well signed, and heads more northwards over a rock platform. Ensure you follow the yellow arrows stuck to rock, or painted on them – they can be tricky to spot. The track heads north along the high points for a bit, before descending between two peaks. There is a mixture of level walking, and metal or stone steps as you continue northwards. There is a sharp turn south just before you meet the Venus Bath track that you started on. The track from the Pinnacle down the face is less well defined for the first few 100 metres than the tracks at the start of the walk. Look for rock features Mackeys Peak and a rock stack just before it on your left as you descend.
Getting There
Walk starts and ends at the Halls Gap and Grampians Visitor Information Centre, 117 Grampians Road, Halls Gap.
Walk Precautions
Some climbing and rock scrambling. Potentially slippery if wet. Unprotected drop-offs near track. Steep metal-mesh stairs down at the end.