39 great walks in the Dandenong Ranges

The book contains 39 walks across six areas of the Dandenongs, from short easy strolls to a two-day Traverse. Most are circuits, so there’s no need for a car shuffle.

• Northern Ranges
• Central Ranges
• Southern Ranges
• Southern Slopes
• Eastern Ranges
• The Dandenong Ranges Traverse

Northern Ranges

Montrose, Kalorama & Mt Evelyn

No.	Walk	Distance	Time	Grade
1	Montrose LoopFor those looking for a challenge, this walk leaves the flat-lands of Montrose to climb the steep northern side of the Ranges, before descending the western flank	14.4 km	5–6½ hrs	hardsome long steep slopes
2	Mt Evelyn Water WalkA brilliant, relatively level hike with a water theme, taking in the Mt Evelyn Aqueduct Trail, Olinda Creek and an underground water pipeline	8.6 km	2½–3 hrs	easy-medium
3	Mt Evelyn to Silvan ReservoirHead into the forest along ridges and byways before following beautiful Olinda Creek towards Silvan Reservoir	11.9 km	3½–4½ hrs	medium-hardsome steep slopes
4	Olinda Creek CircuitOne of the most varied and interesting walks in the Dandenongs, with sweeping views, Mt Dandenong Arboretum, Mechanics Track and Olinda Falls	7.1 km	2½–3 hrs	medium-hardsome steep climbs, narrow slippery paths & mud
5	Roller CoasterTake on 850m of climb and descent as you complete a monumental lap of the western face of the Dandenong Ranges	15.0 km	4–5½ hrs	medium-hardsome very steep slopes

Central Ranges

The Basin, Sassafras & Olinda

No.	Walk	Distance	Time	Grade
6	Chandler HillA short, sharp hit of the Dandenong Ranges’ drier side, with a steep climb to Chandler Hill	4.4 km	1½ hrs	medium
7	Dandenong Creek & Rainbow GullyAn absolute corker of a walk that packs a lot in, including the wild otherworldly lyrebird haunt of Rainbow Gully and the peaceful Bradley and Banksia tracks	6.2 km	2–2½ hrs	medium-harda few short, steep slopes; Rainbow Gully section unmaintained and partially overgrown
8	Doongalla Forest LoopAn enjoyable circuit of Doongalla Forest	4.9 km	1½ hrs	easy-mediumone brisk climb
9	Doongalla to Burkes LookoutA test for legs and lungs featuring a relentlessly steep climb to the Kyeema air crash memorial via the notorious Glasgow Tk	5.7 km	2–2½ hrs	hardGlasgow Tk extremely steep & rocky
10	Eagle Nest LoopFeaturing lush gullies, serene creeks and majestic trees, this relatively flat walk is surprisingly varied	5.8 km	1½ hrs	easy
11	Olinda Falls & ValleyA classic of the Dandenong Ranges, descending through an arboretum gone wild into the Olinda Creek Valley	13.5 km	4–5 hrs	mediumsome steep sections
12	Olinda Super CircuitOne of the most rewarding circuits in the Dandenongs, taking in two semi-wild arboretums, magnificent wet forest and the western face of the Range	15.3 km	4–6 hrs	medium-harda few very steep slopes
13	Hamer ArboretumA sloping circuit of the RJ Hamer Arboretum featuring atmospheric groves of exotic trees amongst local forest	6.2 km	2½–3 hrs	medium-hardsome steep slopes
14	Hamer Arboretum & Olinda ForestA highlight of the Central Ranges, this circuit links together some of the area’s most evocative tracks	10.6 km	3–4 hrs	medium-hardsome steep sections
15	Mathias RoadFollow the relatively flat Mathias Road through the RJ Hamer Arboretum	7.0 km	1¾–2¼ hrs	easy-medium
16	Sassafras LoopA tasting platter of the Dandenongs, with a sweep along the fern-spangled Sassafras Creek and a turn through the serene Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens	6.1 km	2–2½ hrs	easy-mediumone very steep section

Southern Ranges

Upper Ferntree Gully, Ferny Creek, Sherbrooke, Kallista & Belgrave

No.	Walk	Distance	Time	Grade
17	Ferntree Gully Quarry & TremontTake in the Ferntree Gully Quarry Recreation Reserve’s parkland and lake before a long steady climb past a lookout and into the dry forest of the western Dandenong Ranges	6.9 km	2¼–2¾ hrs	mediumsteep sections, including numerous stairs
18	1000 StepsEasily the most popular walk in the Dandenong Ranges, those seeking a cardio kick take on the steps alongside Ferntree Gully Creek	3.1 km	1–1¾ hrs	mediumvery steep
19	1000 Steps & One Tree HillA fabulous circuit up and around One Tree Hill, taking in the famously lung-busting 1000 Steps	7.2 km	2½–3 hrs	medium1000 Steps section is very steep
20	One Tree Hill & Griffiths CreekAn interesting, varied walk for the more adventurous, this circuit of One Tree Hill and Griffiths Creek includes the option to visit the mysterious Griffiths Falls	8.2 km	2¾–3¼ hrs	medium-hardone very steep section, side trip to falls unmaintained
21	Anzac LoopA great leg stretcher in and around Sherbrooke Forest – a favoured spot for lyrebirds	6.0 km	1½–2 hrs	easy-medium
22	Lyrebird LoopA circuit of the beautiful Sherbrooke Creek through magnificent mountain ash	4.3 km	1–1½ hrs	easy
23	Gardens LoopA bucolic walk that takes in two of the Dandenongs’ finest gardens, connected by a stroll along Sassafras Creek	5.5 km	1½–2 hrs	easy-medium
24	Western Sherbrooke Forest WalkShadow the fern-rich Sherbrooke Creek gully through the tall trees of the Sherbrooke Forest	7.0 km	2–2¾ hrs	mediumsome steep slopes
25	Eastern Sherbrooke Forest WalkA classic circuit of the towering trees of the eastern Sherbrooke Forest, with the chance to see a lyrebird	7.7 km	2¼–3 hrs	easy-mediumsome steep slopes
26	Sassafras Creek & Pirianda GardenAmble down Sassafras Creek towards Monbulk, a tough climb to Pirianda Garden then a steep descent back to Sassafras Creek and the start	8.8 km	2½–3½ hrs	medium-hardsome very steep slopes
27	Three Creek RambleAnother one for the more adventurous, rambling along the beautiful fern-filled gullies of the Menzies, Woori Yallock and Sassafras creeks before returning upslope along scenic rural roads	15.5 km	5–6 hrs	medium-hardone short very steep section; narrow, uneven & unmaintained trails
28	Southern Dandenongs Super LoopA big day for those seeking a challenge or a training walk, starting with the Ringwood-Belgrave Rail Trail before climbing to One Tree Hill and crossing the Sherbrooke Forest	21.7 km	6–8 hrs	medium-hardlong day

Southern Slopes

Lysterfield, Upwey, Belgrave Heights & Belgrave South

No.	Walk	Distance	Time	Grade
29	Lysterfield Quarry & LookoutAn undulating and varied circuit of central Lysterfield Park, taking in a giant quarry and Lysterfield Hills Lookout	8.7 km	2½–3½ hrs	mediumundulating
30	Lysterfield Lake Heritage HikeA history-themed circuit of Lysterfield Lake	11.5 km	3–4 hrs	mediumsteep climb to Donelan homestead
31	Glenfern ValleyA little-known gem, this mostly level track follows Ferny Creek through the Glenfern Valley Bushlands Reserve	3.8 km	1½ hrs	easy
32	Bunjil Birdsland LoopThis walk packs in plenty, with two hills providing superb views, stretches of open pastureland and tranquil pockets of forest, ending with a stroll alongside Monbulk Creek	5.3 km	1½–2 hrs	mediumnumerous ups & downs
33	Birdsland & Granite LookoutWalk alongside Monbulk Creek passing two lakes before entering Lysterfield Park, with the option of a short climb to Granite Lookout	8.2 km	2¼–2¾ hrs	mediumsome steep hills
34	Birdsland & Lysterfield Hills via Granite LookoutA longer alternative to walk 33, starting with a creekside stroll in Birdsland Reserve before tackling a circuit of the Lysterfield Hills	11.3 km	3½–4½ hrs	mediumundulating
35	Baluk Willam & Mt MortonThis walk knits together a network of walking trails, forest tracks and quiet roads, starting at Baluk Willam – one of Melbourne’s best wildflower sites	8.5 km	2½–3½ hrs	medium-hardlots of tracks, turns & steep slopes

Eastern Ranges

Emerald & Cockatoo

No.	Walk	Distance	Time	Grade
36	Cardinia ReservoirTake in the surprisingly picturesque bushland of Cardinia Reservoir Park before crossing the massive dam wall	5.0 km	1¼ hrs	easy
37	Wright ForestA meandering lap of Wright Forest, featuring the Wattle Creek valley and Puffing Billy rail line	6.5 km	1¾–2¾ hrs	easy-mediumundulating
38	Cockatoo to EmeraldA one-way ramble along the Eastern Dandenong Ranges Trail loosely following the Puffing Billy rail line, taking in Wright Forest, Lake Treganowan and gorgeous parkland	6.9 km one-way	2–2½ hrs	easy

The Dandenong Ranges Traverse

Lilydale to Upper Ferntree Gully

No.	Walk	Distance	Time	Grade
39	The Dandenong Ranges TraverseAn epic two-day traverse of the Dandenong Ranges from Lilydale in the north to Upper Ferntree Gully in the south	31.2 km one-way	2 days	hard