Sometimes when a track ends or a loop doesn’t quite join up, it’s tempting to walk a short stretch along a road to connect trails or return to your car. But what might seem like a harmless shortcut can actually be one of the riskiest parts of your walk.
Recently, Victoria Police raised concerns after reports of hiking groups using the notorious Black Spur in Narbethong, an 80 km/h road with no shoulder, sharp corners, and limited visibility, to link between tracks. Roads like this are not designed for pedestrians, and walking along them puts both walkers and drivers at serious risk of injury or death.
Why walking on high speed roads is dangerous
High speed roads, particularly in the country, often:
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Have no verge or shoulder, leaving no safe space to step aside for passing traffic
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Include blind corners, crests, and dips that limit driver visibility
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Carry vehicles travelling at high speeds, giving little time to react
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Lack footpaths, warning signs, or lighting
- Are not places drivers expect to come across a group of walkers
Even small groups of walkers can take up more space than expected, forcing drivers to brake or swerve suddenly. In these conditions, a moment’s misjudgment can be catastrophic.
Plan to avoid road sections
Good trip planning helps you avoid risky connections:
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Check maps carefully, including topographic and satellite views, to see if a walking track truly connects or if there’s a gap via road.
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Plan alternatives, such as starting your walk at a different trailhead, using two vehicles for a car shuffle, or turning back at a scenic point.
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Use established shared trails or roadside paths where available (e.g., rail trails or multi-use tracks).
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Ask locals or Parks Victoria rangers if a route includes a road section before you go.
If you must walk along a road
Sometimes there’s no other option. If you absolutely must walk a short section along a road:
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Walk single file, facing oncoming traffic (unless it’s unsafe to do so on a blind bend).
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Wear bright or reflective clothing, even during the day.
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Use headlamps or torches if visibility is poor.
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Stay alert, no headphones, no distractions.
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Move off the road surface entirely whenever a vehicle approaches.
- Avoid blindly following the person ahead of you, your safety is your own responsibility.
For group leaders
If you’re leading a walk, it’s your responsibility to assess and manage road risks:
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Review the route in advance and avoid any high-speed or blind-corner road sections.
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Include safe access points in your walk notes and risk assessment.
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Brief participants on what to do if the group encounters a road unexpectedly.
Bottom line: Roads are built for cars, not walkers. Even a short roadside stretch can expose your group to serious danger. A few minutes of planning can keep everyone safe, and keep bushwalking about enjoying the bush, not the bitumen.
The Black Spur, Narbethong. Stunning, but deadly.
