subject: Hiking In Bright Victoria - Places You Cant Afford To Miss [print this page] If you haven't had the chance to go hiking in Bright and its surrounding National Parks, it truly is an unforgettable experience for young and old. Don't let the term "hiking" convince you that you may not be able to do this though, there are many trails that are suited to people of all fitness levels. Set below the Victorian high country, at the foot of Mt Hotham is Bright Victoria, the gateway to the Victorian High Country. Popular amongst bush walkers and overnight hikers, this is an ideal place to base yourself.
The main massif of Mt Buffalo is perched high above the Great Alpine Road, and although it looks impenetrable, this beautiful national park is accessible 1 hour from Myrtleford, and provides a unique perspective of the Victorian High Country. Separated from most of the higher peaks, the landscape is drastically different, composed of much granite litter and a wide open plateau that contains some of the nicest short walks in Victoria. Anything from a short stroll to the Gorge, or the most challenging climb up The Horn, this is a place for young and old to enjoy nature at its best.
At the head of the Ovens Valley itself, Alpine National Park rises up sharply from the valley floor to the highest peaks in Victoria. Including Mt Feathertop, often noted as the queen of the Victorian Alps, and the "Big Fella", Mt Bogong, standing 1098 meters above sea level, making it the highest peak in Victoria.
A climb to the alpine summit of Mt Feathertop is a long haul, but fairly easy for those who have an average fitness level. Accessible from both Mt Hotham and Harrietville within the day (with the fit being capable of returning within the day), the climb is well worth the effort, and it quite an exhilarating climb, especially along the final summit ridge traverse, which is quite hair raising at the best of times.
Mt Bogong, the highest peak in Victoria, rises steeply from the floor of the Kiewa Valley, towering 1986 meters in elevation. The name, Mt Bogong, is an Aboriginal term meaning "Big Fella", no doubt that anyone standing under the peak in the township of Mt Beauty would agree. The climb to the summit is a long one, and much more arduous than its neighbor, Mt Feathertop, with an elevation gain of nearly a thousand meters within six kilometers. Understandably, the views from the summit are incredible, and are a welcome reward for a hard day climbing.
There are so many places to go hiking in Bright, and I could go on telling you more and more about these beautiful and amazing places, but the truth of it all, is that these places are yours to discover. Anywhere from the open alpine meadows of the Bogong High Plains, to the quaint huts, this is simply one of the most exciting adventures that can be had when you see Bright Victoria.
