Walk Description
Distance: 14km, 510m elevation
This is a moderate 13–14 km loop walk in Kinglake National Park. The circuit climbs onto the Mount Sugarloaf Ridge Track for a steady ascent to the summit (views back toward Melbourne’s CBD, though partly obscured by trees), then descends via the Running Creek Track through fern gullies alongside Running Creek/Arthurs Creek to the Masons Falls viewing platform, where the 45 m waterfalls are a highlight, especially after rain. Expect a mix of forest tracks and some rocky, occasionally slippery sections on the descents, and keep an eye out for lyrebirds, wallabies and kangaroos along the way.
European history in the area began with a brief 1861 gold rush at nearby Mount Slide (known as Mountain Rush), followed by decades of intensive timber-cutting from the 1880s–1920s to supply Melbourne’s growing building needs. The park has twice been severely burnt by bushfire, most devastatingly on Black Saturday in 2009, when 98% of the park was scorched and the nearby township suffered heavy losses. The forest walked today is largely regenerated bush, a living reminder of the landscape’s resilience since that disaster.
Leaders are Jenna and Sharnee.
Transport
Transport to and from the walk location is by car. Please indicate your transport requirements and preferences on the booking request form when you book in.
If you don’t have a car, we can’t guarantee to provide you with a lift – this will depend on available drivers and their locations.
Passengers must pay the driver their share of car-pooling costs as described on the Car-pooling page. Please discuss the preferred method of payment with your driver.
Booking
Booking is required for this walk. Please indicate what similar walks you have done recently (i.e. in the past few months) to give the leader confidence that you are capable of doing this one. Refer to Walking Grades which, in conjunction with the walk description, will help you assess whether you have the required walking fitness and experience to do this walk.
The Leader will confirm your acceptance on the walk, or not, via email. The leader will provide details of where and when to meet.
Booking Fee:
Members: free. Non-members: $8.
Payment:
Non-members are required to pre-pay their booking fee by Paypal or credit/debit card.
Cancellation:
If you need to cancel, please advise the leader as soon as possible, so that someone else has the opportunity.
There will be no refunds, so please do not book unless you are fully committed to walking.
What to bring
• Day pack
• Sufficient water (2 litres, more on hot summer days)
• Lunch and snacks
• Hat, sun screen
• Suitable outdoor clothing (no jeans/sneakers!)
• Rainwear & warm jacket
• Proper walking shoes/boots
• Hand Sanitiser
Refer to our Gear Checklist page for more details. If you are not properly equipped, the walk leader can decide not to let you participate on this walk.
Safety and Ambulance Insurance
We strongly recommend that you have Ambulance cover. If conditions are hazardous, the walk may be cancelled. If any doubts at all, check your emails the night before and the morning of the event. For more details refer to Safety.
Still have questions?
Check out Joining a Walk.
Check out Day walks and social activities.
Contact the leader using the Enquiry form, above the Booking Request.
