Mount Zero Trail Head to Barigar

Magnificent tiger-stripe cliffs, caves, views, wildflowers and yet more views create an exceptionally fun and varied day!

We respectfully acknowledge the Djab Wurrung and Jardwardjali people as the traditional custodians of the lands and waters of Gariwerd.

shear rock face on side of mountain ahead of hiker that is browny orange in colour with vertical stripes

Approaching the magnificent Taipan Wall

The 51 km Northern Section of the GPT is one of the most spectacular and Day 1 is a fantastic introduction to the kinds of views and varied hiking you’ll experience. You’ll follow the awe-inspiring tiger-striped Taipan Wall, detour to the cave and views at Gunigalg/Mt Stapylton and pass under and between huge boulders and rock formations. Walk along with us to find out whether you’ll love the trail as much as we did! Hint: start planning!

map of route between Mount Zero carpark and Barigar camp with elevation gain details

Elevation gain and loss details

How to Make Today Easier

This first day is relatively undemanding in terms of elevation gain with 600m; much of it is up steps and on rock slabs and most hikers will be fine with the standard itinerary, not least because it is the first day and you will be fresh. From the elevation profile, you can see that the morning begins with a steep climb up Flat Rock and then along and around Taipan Wall, after which you’ll have a long and gradual descent with views almost the entire way before you reach Golton Creek. Then you have just one more big climb for the day before dropping to Barigar campsite.

The best way to make today easier is simply to start early. Experience the Grampians dropped us off a full hour before the scheduled Grampians Peaks Walking Company bus; we could have booked an even earlier time. A sparrow fart option would also be very useful in summer if you want to beat the heat.

The Northern Section is only three nights (with the fourth being in Halls Gap) but, for those who want to lighten their pack even further ahead of time, you can leave a food drop at Roses Gap Road that you will pass tomorrow. This means carrying only today’s food plus breakfast.

For those who want an even more leisurely approach, you can split today in two (about 7km then 5 km) by booking one of the Coppermine Campsites: you would turn off shortly after Golton Creek. This is also as handy option if your itinerary requires a late start, especially in winter with shorter daylight hours.

Walk with Us:

The day begins with a steep climb to and then along and around Taipan Wall, after which you’ll have a long and gradual descent with views almost the entire way before you reach Golton Creek. Then you have just one more big climb for the day before dropping to Barigar campsite.

hiker cleaning his boots at booting cleaning station

But first, please use the boot cleaning station, and don’t forget to spray your trekking poles too, to prevent the spread of the introduced cinnamon fungus that kills so many of our favourite Australian plants.

hike on top of rock slab with Mount Zero in background view

Almost immediately, you’ll climb Flat Rock, which in laconic Aussie idiom means not the slightest bit flat. You’ll become very familiar with this type of sloping rock because the trail takes advantage of the open hard-wearing surfaces that are so prevalent on the western slopes. Remember to look back northwards to Mt Zero that you can see above in the background; we highly recommend doing the Mt Zero day walk beforehand to greet the Grampians (this daywalk coming soon on our website) and to hike from the northernmost peak to the southernmost one. Very fast hikers could do Mt Zero first up before starting the GPT, but average and slower hikers will find that the day before will be more relaxed and enjoyable.

orange coloured shear rock face of cliff ahead of hiker

After the initial climb, you’ll be walking towards and then climbing along the base of the spectacular Taipan Wall. If you’re early, the Wall will be in shade and backlit by the rising sun, tricky for photography!

Goodenia ovata at side of track has small bright yellow flowers

The wildflowers are quite different on the exposed and sunny open rock faces and in the shadier southerly aspects. Here, Goodenia ovata

hiker at top of natural looking set of rock steps

Rustic steps throughout much of the Northern Section make for much easier walking, but there are a lot of them!

Hiker looking back and Taipan Wall

The view of the Wall is glorious, and the cool shade is welcome. Once you reach the top on clear days, you’ll be in sun most of the time, so enjoy it while it lasts!

hiker lookign back at Taipan Wall next to large bizarre 3 metre high rock formation that looks like a birds head

By the time you reach this bizarre rock formation, you will soon be at the top of Taipan Wall.

small translucent green hooded orchid

Pterostylis planulata grows amongst rocky peaks in the Northern Grampians, often in tiny cracks and pockets of soil

beautifully built rock steps

Hooray say achilles tendons to steps after steep rock! The steps are beautifully built and welcome after a long climb on rock.

hiker in wide, low cave near top of Mt Stapylton

Don’t miss Gunigalg/Mt Stapylton: it’s a fun short spur trail with a marvellous reveal at the end; some people climb beyond the signposted finish. This area is heavily frequented by day walkers and, although we usually leave our packs in the open at the start of spur trails, a more discreet spot behind a boulder felt more appropriate here.

vast views at peak Mt Stapylton

Wonderful views north and northeast; Hollow Rock is just out of sight. And more steeply sloping rock: you can also see how this track can get slippery after prolonged rain!

Tetratheca ciliata has pale purple flowers

Tetratheca ciliata adds vivid splashes of colour in shadier areas

hiker walking trough Rock tunnel between boulders

This trail is incredibly varied: it makes hiking so much fun. Here, the track is routed under a giant boulder.

Caladenia carnea has one or two pale pink flowers

Pink Fingers (Caladenia carnea) is one of the more common orchids you’ll see

track between rocks densely lined by yellow and white wild flowerswith

White Hakea rostrata and yellow peaflowers crowded along the track. It is wonderful for those who love plants and there are views for those who don’t!

shrub covered with white star shaped flowers of Calytrix sullivanii

Grampians Fringe Myrtle (Calytrix sullivanii) comes in shades of dark pink to white and is another common wildflower on the track.

hiker sitting in shade under rock ledge

Pausing for second breakfast in a cool rocky corner

hiker walking down uneven rock track with vast view ahead of him towards distant mountains

Glorious views south with the Grampians stretching to the horizon. It’s a long way but slower hikers have plenty of days, unlike those running the track! You can also see how Geoff is using his trekking poles on this rocky descent: it’s not steep, but slips are easy because it is so uneven.

Holly leaf Grevillea has rich pink finger like flower petals

Holly leaf Grevillea (G. aquifolium) is spectacular…

greenhood orchid with fly on it

…but many of Australia’s terrestrial orchids are highly cryptic: they are small and in tones of green and brown. It’s only when you get up close to them that you see their extraordinary form: here, Pterostylis pusillus

hiker walkign along sandy section of track lined by masses of white and yellow wild flowers

A lovely sandy section of track: don’t worry, it’s not all rocks!

hiker on rock ledge with vast veiws in distance

This trail has been so beautifully routed. The ledge is plenty wide and of course provides yet more views. You can see how the track has already worn to a different colour to surrounding rock. If you’re unsure of the track, look for this wear as well as those yellow markers.

small orchid with five greeny red elongated flower petals

Another cryptic orchid, the little Bronze Cap (Caladenia iridescens). Most of us enthusiasts usually scan for orchids, but all the ones I’ve spotted today are right beside the path because you really have to watch where you put your feet!

hiker sitting in shade eating with expansive view behind

Lunch with a view in a tiny patch of shade: it’s hot! Although we dehydrate homemade Cup-a-Soups, crackers and other lightweight yummy backpacking lunches, hard cheese and salami from the Halls Gap supermarket are convenient for the first day and make for more variety. We tend not to carry these for more lunches because although they are nutrient dense they are also quite heavy (jerky and freeze dried cheese are good alternatives). Crackers are lighter than wraps and mountain bread.

small rock pool in rock slab with bright green pond slime

A small waterhole atop a rock ledge.

Stypandra glauca has soft velvet coloured elongated flowers

Blue grass lily, Stypandra glauca

hiker on rock track with view of rugged cliff face in distance

You can see how the the track is routed along edges for much of the time and this is what makes the GPT so great for views. Marvellous stuff!

hiker about to step over small creek

One last tiny creek crossing

hiker walking along track fringed by thick shrub with dense coverage of yellow flowers

A sea of wattle and lovely underfoot. You are nearly there!

map of campground there are eleven tent platforms and a shelter

Here is the layout of Barigar campground.

inside of spacious shelter with one bench and table glass walls at either end

And here is one of those marvellous huts. We weren’t convinced about them from the images because the high ceilings seemed impractical. They are certainly cool with those mesh screens at the top! A heavy sliding door allows you to close up the hut completely. Unlike the tent platforms, the floor has been constructed with gaps between the planks. Go figure!

tent setup on platform

Here is the XMid Pro2 set up on a platform. We chose a platform in the sunniest spot where the wood had dried enough to create a few gaps wide enough for our stainless deck hooks. The red aluminium fishbone style ones are less likely to fit most platforms, at least for some years yet.

hiker eating dinner at small lookout above Barigar camp

Home dehydrated beef vindaloo on the rock above the hut (right). It has been an exhilarating day, even better than we had imagined it would be. We can’t wait for tomorrow — surely it can’t be as good? (Spoiler alert: it is even more spectacular!).


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GPT Northern Section Planning Tips

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Barigar to Gar