All in all, I'd say I'm fairly fit and well. I aim to maintain a balanced diet, take the dog for regular walks, and occasionally engage in some exercise. When I've done walking trails near Melbourne, they've usually been quite manageable for me... So when someone mentioned a "5km" walk that takes 4-5 hours (though our mate Tim managed it in 2.5 hours), I was keen for the experience. But when Tim called it a 5km walk, he'd actually underestimated the distance. The full loop ended up being 11kms, so my initial assessment was off right from the start. Being the adventurous types my friend and I are, we chose to walk from the Botanical Gardens, across Venus Baths, down to the Grand Canyon, back up to the Pinnacles, and down the mountainside. Easy enough, right? WRONG!
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| Stunning beginning to the adventure |
The Grampians form a mountain range, and it was clear this wouldn't be a straightforward walk. The opening 1.2 kms proved quite manageable. From the Botanical Gardens through to the Venus Baths, the terrain remained mostly level with gentle slopes. We'd set off early enough that temperatures were still comfortable, making the start rather enjoyable.
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| Walking from the Gardens towards the Venus Baths |
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| Venus Baths (minimal water during the dry season) |
Once beyond the Venus Baths, the walking track turned quite steep. Fortunately, the stunning scenery made it worthwhile—with periodic breaks for refreshment (and a quick bite), we remained fairly motivated! To be honest, energy levels were beginning to dip at this stage. The trail has few markers, so navigation relies mainly on small yellow triangles painted on rocks at strategic locations.
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| Protective barriers remain optional throughout the Grampians |
Another 2ish kms stretched ahead from the Venus Baths to the Grand Canyon. At this stage, the temperature was climbing noticeably and our energy levels were waning considerably. I realised then that Tim's directions had been inaccurate. Rather than the 5kms round trip we'd been told, the actual distance was 11kms. The landscape grew ever more spectacular. I'd never imagined somewhere could possess such breathtaking beauty.
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| Grand Canyon of the Grampians |
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| Quite a narrow passage |
Upon exiting the Grand Canyon, we had just 2.2 kms remaining until reaching the Pinnacles! This section ranks amongst the steepest and most demanding portions of the entire walk. A carpark sits very near the Grand Canyon, so it seems to be the typical starting and finishing point for most walkers. By this stage we were quite exhausted, so we copped some rather judgemental stares from passersby (Ha they assumed we were knackered and hadn't even begun ha). As long as you keep telling yourself "right foot, left foot, you're nearly there! Don't give up now! Besides you're trapped here if you stop", before long you'll arrive at the Pinnacles.
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| What a panorama! |
The panorama made every step of the climb (including the inevitable descent) absolutely worthwhile! My tip: bring some food. That way you can relax and enjoy the stunning panorama. You'll also get a chance to recover. Anyone could easily spend the whole day up there. I realise photos and descriptions won't do it justice but it was definitely worth the struggle to reach it!
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| Ideal spot for a picnic |
Once you've finished the 5.5 km ascent, the return journey down feels comparatively simple. The route is predominantly downhill, providing welcome relief from the undulating terrain experienced during the climb. Below are my recommendations for tackling the full 11km loop (unless you possess superhuman strength):
- Carry at least 2 litres of water (if you're able to transport it). You'll definitely want it, particularly on warm days.
- Bring some lunch or a few snacks along. That way if you feel a bit hungry, you've got something handy to keep your energy up. There's nothing worse than getting 4kms through a hike before realising you're ravenous with no food to eat.
- Ensure you apply sunscreen (and reapply it throughout the hike)! Certain sections of the walk offer excellent shade and protection, but much of it you'll be exposed. There's nothing worse than finishing with a terrible sunburn. A cap would also be a smart choice!
- Go at your own pace. There's no rush to power through the hike. If you want breaks, take them! Soak in the vistas, truly savour the wonderful landscape around you. And capture plenty of photos! I'd recommend reaching the summit around dawn or dusk. I reckon it would be truly stunning.
- Keep chatting! It helps when you become fatigued and feel like stopping. Ours ranged from Game of Thrones speculation to Harry Potter discussion. Certainly kept things moving quickly!
- Finally, enjoy yourself!
What's the most challenging hike you've tackled? If you've walked in the Grampians, what was your experience?
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