GRAMPIANS ONE END TO OTHER

[robbieA]

i just want some help on doing a walk from one end of the Grampians to the other , i'm wondering if anyone has done this ? Or have any more info about this ?

[bernieq]

The northern half (Mt Zero to Halls Gap) is relatively straight-forward (mostly off-track and requiring good navigation skills but certainly achievable). I’ve walked, all but a few km, from Mt Zero to Halls Gap.

However, south into the Serra Range is a different matter. I’ve walked various small parts and the going is very tough indeed – the range is aptly named : serrated it truly is. Frequent dense vegetation, it’s very rocky and no water at all. Progress is very slow.

There is a firetrail that runs along much of the base of the Serra range – but that’s not really bushwalking, is it !

[icefest]

I'd be interested in joining the bush bash of Serra ranges.
When would you choose to do this? I think early spring might be best regarding water availability.

[Lophophaps]

The Serra Range is indeed well named. I've walked and climbed on bits of it. Care needs to be made to go around cliffs. North of Teddy Bear Gap is fine, as it's mainly bush, but south of there is farmland on the west, which may detract.

Have you considered starting at The Chimney Pots in the Victoria Range? The region from there to the Cave of Fishes is wild country indeed, remote by Grampians standards. There's plenty of cliffs to avoid... Go over the swamp to Forest Lodge, then The Donkeys Ears and the west arm of the Mount Difficult Range. (For reasons that are unclear the word describing the Ears place does not come out.)

Whichever way you go I would allow 4-5 days, with backup places to stop in case scrub, terrain or weather slow you down. My record in the Victoria Range was a day to go about 2-3 kilometre.

[bernieq]

.... starting at The Chimney Pots in the Victoria Range?

I’ve also walked a bit (less) in the Victoria Range too – it’s no easier than the Serra Range.

part of the Serra Range (opposite Major Mitchell Plateau) - May 2013

The southern end (Victoria Point) is quite similar to the Serra – rocky, dry and very slow-going.

some easier going in the Victoria range - Sep 2007

The northern end (Mt Thackeray, Fortress etc) is currently closed. Notwithstanding this, off track here includes negotiating deep fissures in a convoluted terrain – GPS essential. At least water is a little more available (sometimes).

typical terrain, looking NE to Mt Thakeray - May 2008

The Mt Difficult Range (from Briggs Bluff to Zumsteins) is easier going but south from Mt Difficult to Victoria Gap can be 'difficult' when away from the vehicle tracks and fire trails.

.... in the Victoria Range was a day to go about 2-3 km

Yes, similar experiences.

i just want some help on doing a walk from one end of the Grampians to the other

So, travel is slow and water non-existent - my advice is to do some short overnight walks along the ranges and get a feel for what's possible.