At the end of each spectacular day, rest in style, enjoy a freshly cooked trail meal under the stars and sleep in first class comfort.

Whatever your hiking experience, relax and take in every extraordinary moment as a passionate local team of experts guides and supports you.

In the first week of February we will provide you with a detailed itinerary, suggested packing list, and FAQs. Don’t worry if you are slow walker, there are no prizes for the fastest. Everyone will be supported. Hike4Life is about connecting with one another and spending time in nature.

We will also provide you with support to help set up your fundraising page in early February and you will have to the first week of May to achieve your target.

Itinerary Summary

Thursday 19 March – Royal Mail

Spend your first night in luxury, staying at the Royal Mail Hotel, Dunkeld, Homestead and Cottages.

Enjoy a spectacular culinary experience dining at the Parker St Project.

Check-In from 2 pm for a 6.30 pm dinner.

Friday 20 March – Hike Day 1:

Walking Distance 9.6km Elevation 516m Descent 40m

Start the day with a continental group breakfast at the Royal Mail Homestead and then make your own way to the Hiker HUB, Halls Gap. Please note it is a 50 minute drive to the Hiker HUB.

Meet your guide and the expedition team at the Grampians Peaks Walking Co Hiker Hub in Halls Gap for a briefing and gear check before a transfer to Gar Trailhead in Roses Gap – approximately 30 minutes drive.

Immediately, we will begin to ascend the lower slopes of Gar (Mount Difficult), find and begin to follow a small, unsuspecting watercourse – seasonal and rainfall dependent. Over the next few kilo-meters, we will witness this watercourse cascading over a series of drops each one more spectacular than the last.

After we gain the top of the last waterfall, we’ll head towards the ‘Pacific Ocean Wall’, a cliff ‘as big as the pacific ocean’, ascend its flank via a superbly built stone stairway and continue climbing up to Briggs Bluff. With most of the ascent completed, from here we can traverse our way along the high ground before arriving at Gar Signature Hiker Camp and its breathtaking views.

We will tour the campsite and check into our huts before kicking back to relax, enjoy some refreshments and absorb the landscape. Later, the guides will whip up a fantastic, fresh, healthy trail meal and we’ll enjoy a matched glass of local Grampians wine.

Saturday 21 March – Hike Day 2:

Walking Distance 15km Elevation 521m Descent 462m

An early start this morning as we head up to the summit of Gar for a sunrise like no other. We’ll then return to camp for breakfast and then depart on the day’s journey.

We will sharply descend the eastern slopes of Gar, cross the northern end of the Werdug (Wartook) Basin and gain the ridge of the eastern flank of the Mount Difficult range. Continuing south along this high ground we will eventually reach Werdug Hiker Camp with stunning views overlooking
Lake Wartook and a clear line of sight all the way back to the top of Gar where we stood that morning.

Sunday 22 March – Hike Day 3:

Walking Distance 10km Elevation 33m Descent 587m

Our last day on the trail (for this expedition!) will continue along the eastern flank of Mount Difficult and slowly tip over and descend towards the town of Halls Gap. For one last hoorah, we’ll head out to the end of Chautauqua Peak
before finishing our descent all the way into Halls Gap.

We’ll head back to the Grampians Peaks Walking Co Hiker HUB where we can shower, collect our gear, and celebrate with lunch and a local craft beer at the conveniently adjoining brewery. Finishing early afternoon allowing plenty of time to drive home.

The Hike4Life Grampians Walk INCLUDES

• All meals

• Experienced local guides

• Branded hike pack (cap, tee, waterbottle and lanyard)

• Group safety equipment (sat phone, first aid, support)

• On trail, campsite accommodation in 4-bed huts

• Group safety equipment, including first aid kits and satellite phones

Cost per person $2750. In undertaking the Hike4Life Grampians Challenge, you commit to raising $5000 to support youth mental health in rural communities. All funds raised support Live4Life, our award-winning, evidence-based mental health education and youth suicide prevention program for rural and regional communities.