Distance: 18 Km | Duration: 7 Hrs | Grade: Grade 3 | Rating: | Style: One Way | Map
About the Walk
Overview
This walk is on the little visited western side of Mt Samaria State Park. Initially it follows a management track up and down through stands of Blue Gums, giant Messmate Eucalypts and Mountain Grey Gums that can be found on the higher areas, before turning off the track and walking cross country through open drier forests of Stringybarks, Boxes and Peppermints. It then leaves the park and crosses private open farmland to take us back to our cars.
The Walk in Detail
After leaving a car at our finish point on Lake Nillahcootie Road, we continue along the road to the start of West Track and a gate to Mt Samaria State Park. We walk in a general easterly direction for approx. 1.5km along West Track, crossing a few creeks as we climb some short steep hills of around 300m before reaching a saddle at 525m. As we climb there are some good views back over Lake Nillahcootie and the surrounding farmland.
Swing southeast and continue on the management track with a bit more climbing to our highest point 629m. Turn south and walk off track through open forest for another 13 kms.
At the fence line of the private property, cross the farmland, heading west through open paddocks for a further 3.5kms back to the vehicles.
Getting There
We will be meeting participants for this hike at Lake Nillahcootie Picnic Area. This is 75km from Wangaratta and should take about 50mins. To get there go via Hume Freeway and take the Midland Highway/Mansfield turn off that goes through Swanpool. Follow the Midland Highway till you come to the Lake Nillahcootie picnic area. Look for a white single cab Ranger Ute. From there we will all travel to the beginning of the walk which is approximately another 10km. We want people to be at Lake Nillahcootie Picnic area at 8am on Saturday morning.
Walk Precautions
Please note: There will be a short car shuffle required (Track: Forest and farmland, some steep climbs)