Mount Stapylton Loop Walk, Victoria: How tough is it?

The Mount Stapylton Loop Walk is one of the toughest walks in the Grampians National Park, Victoria. It’s a steep, scrambling 12km walk to the summit from the Stapylton Campground.

Mount Stapylton in the northern section of the Grampians National Park offers some of the best views in Victoria. But you’re going to have to work hard to get them.

From the Stapylton Campground, the Mount Stapylton Loop Walk is unambiguously strenuous. This Grampians walk is 12km return. It starts climbing gradually through forest, but very quickly turns into scrambling over rocky outcrops towards the summit of Mount Stapylton.

Walking at Mt Stapylton in the Grampians is one of the best things to do on the drive from Adelaide to Melbourne. Photo courtesy of Parks Victoria.

Mount Stapylton Loop Walk: Flat Rock and Taipan Wall

One of the major scrambles is up Flat Rock, which provides marvellous views out over a natural amphitheatre. You’ve got to make your way up a steep slope to reach Flat Rock, however.

The Mount Stapylton Loop Walk then continues past the sheer face of Taipan Wall. This is a popular spot for rock climbers, as Taipan Wall is a notoriously good challenge. On the way, you’ll be able to see out towards Mt Arapiles and the neighbouring Mitre Rock.

Pick the right Grampians tour from Melbourne

Small group eco-tour – including Silverband Falls and Mackenzie Falls.
Great Ocean Road AND the Grampians – two day tour.
Private Grampians tour – pick which sights you want to include.
Small group hiking tour – with three hiking trails.

Reaching the summit of Mount Stapylton requires a good level of fitness and a degree of nerve. The walk is steep, and requires both rock-hopping and scrambling. But once at the top, there are tremendous views out over the Grampians National Park and beyond to the seemingly endless plains.

On the way back down from the summit, the Mount Stapylton Loop Walk nips into green gullies and passes rock terraces carved by water over the centuries. The walk is marked by triangular trail markers. For more information, visit the Parks Victoria website.

Mount Stapylton Loop Walk: Getting to Stapylton Campground

To reach the Stapylton Campground, branch off the Western Highway when you reach the Northern Grampians Road between Horsham and Dadswell Bridge. You then need to take a left towards Laharum down Olive Plantation Road. This is a short detour on the drive from Adelaide to Melbourne.