4 days | 3 nights 
52.8km (32.8 miles)
Difficulty | Moderate
Tented Hiker CampsThe Northern Expedition is a 4 day, 3 night journey that will immerse you in the Northern Grampians – by far, the most dramatic part of the Gariwerd Landscape. Starting near Mount Zero, its dry, sandy gullies and valley floors are dominated by huge rocky outcrops and the biggest sheer sandstone cliffs found anywhere in the Grampians.
NORTHERN EXPEDITION AT A GLANCE
We’ll begin our journey at the northernmost tip of the Grampians near Mount Zero and over the course of 4 days, we will hike southward all the way to Halls Gap. Each night we’ll camp in our supported hiker camps, rest, enjoy a freshly cooked trail meal, and sleep under a blanket of stars. No matter your level of hiking experience, our passionate local team will guide and support you through this journey to explore their backyard.
On the Mount Zero Northern expedition, you will cover every step of the Northern Stage of the Grampians Peaks Trail and end in Halls Gap at the beginning of the Central Stage. If your goal is to walk the entire length of the Grampians Peaks Trail, whether it be in one go or over a period of time, this is the first trip for you. After you complete this, you can then join the Central and then Southern Expeditions and you will have covered every step – no missing links!
Itinerary Summary
Day 1: Briefing at our Hiker HUB in Halls Gap, transfer to the trailhead and walk N1 – Mount Zero to Barigar hiker camp.
Day 2: Hike N2 – Barigar to Gar.
Day 3: Hike N3 – Gar to Werdug.
Day 4: Hike N4 – Werdug to Halls Gap. Clean up at our Hiker HUB before a celebratory drink at the local brewery.
OUR EXPEDITIONS INCLUDE
• Qualified and experienced local guides.
• 3 nights camping in supported hiker camps.
• Fresh and healthy camp-cooked meals.
• All meals on the trail.
• Any required transfers.
• Group safety equipment, including first aid kits and satellite phones.
DEPARTURE DATES
For a full list of departure dates, click ‘Book Now’ below.
Day 1: Mount Zero, Mt Stapylton, Barigar Falls
12.9km ⬆440m ⬇460m
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 the beginning of the GPT at Mount Zero Grampians picnic area. The heart rate will rise quickly as we ascend ‘Flat Rock’ and then again when we get to the top and get our first world-class viewpoint – just 10 minutes in!
We’ll descend and navigate our way through the Stapylton Amphitheatre before skirting our way around and up Mount Stapylton itself. For the footsure and brave, there is a short scramble to the summit to gain 360-degree views and a sneak peek of the next day’s walk in the distance.
After a fresh trail lunch, we’ll head southwards along the mostly high ground before descending into a valley and reaching Barigar Hiker Camp. After settling in we can take a short side trip to visit the camp’s namesake Barigar Falls.
Day 2: Roses Gap, Lower Slopes of Gar, Briggs Bluff
12.9km ⬆615m ⬇113m
We’ll begin our day with a hearty breakfast and then depart camp. Our first steps take us along the base of the Rock Wall, an impressive several km long escarpment hidden away in a valley. As the cliff line reduces, we begin to ascend its ridge to cross over into Roses Gap.
As we begin to ascend the lower slopes of Gar (Mount Difficult) we will find and begin to follow a small, unsuspecting watercourse – seasonal and rainfall dependent. Over the next few km, 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 Hiker Camp and its breathtaking views.
Day 3: Summit & Eastern Slopes of Gar, Werdug Basin
14 km ⬆ 521m ⬇ 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 massif. 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.
Day 4: Chatauqua Peak, Halls Gap
Our ‘Expedition’ programs are designed for those who love to hike and explore (no matter your level of experience) and prefer the idea of a continuous journey – multiple days, start to finish without leaving the trail. While we provide as much support and comfort as we can on the Mount Zero Grampians walk, we’ll be camping in lightweight hiking tents, sleeping on your inflatable hiking mattress, and staying in campsites equipped with composting tank toilets (but no showers!). We take care of all the group equipment (tents, cooking equipment, food etc) but you will need to be capable of carrying your personal clothing, sleeping bag and mattress, approximately 8-12 kgs.
If you like creature comforts like a hot shower at the end of each day and walking pack free – check out our Grampians Luxe programs!
Footwear
- Hiking boots/shoes or sturdy trail runners
- 2-3 pairs of good hiking socks
- A comfortable pair of footwear for the evening (optional)
Clothing
- 1-2 Hiking shirt
- 1 pair of hiking shorts
- 1 pair of hiking pants
- 4 days worth of comfortable underwear
- Light warm layer for daytime
- Heavy warm layer for nighttime
- Waterproof rain jacket and pants
- 1 x set of thermal baselayers (If travelling outside of summer)
Head and hands
- Sun hat
- Warm beanie (If travelling outside of summer)
- Neck warmer or ‘buff’ type multipurpose UV resistant neck tube (optional)
- Sunglasses
- UV resistant and polarised are recommended
- Sunglasses strap
- Warm gloves (If travelling outside of summer)
Health and hygiene
- Personal toiletries
- Toothbrush/paste
- Sunscreen (min UPF 30+)
- Small facecloth
- Feminine hygiene (if required)
- Lip Balm (or pawpaw cream from your first aid kit)
- Personal Medications
- Pain killers (whatever works for you)
- Anti-inflammatories
- Throat lozenges
- Anything else you think you might need
- Personal first aid kit
- This is for general/basic first aid maintenance and doesn’t. Blister dressings, bandaids, pawpaw cream, your above medications, burn/bite/antiseptic cream etc. should all fit into a sandwich size zip lock bag!
- Small waterless hand sanitiser
- Emergency toilet paper stash – just in case!
Trekking gear
- Hiking pack – 45-60L
- Sleeping bag – rated appropriately to your season of travel
- Inflatable hiking mattress
- Trekking poles (optional – recommended to have rubber stoppers on the ends)
- Ability to carry 3L of water (Bladder or bottles)
- A few small accessory carabiners (handy to clip drink bottles etc)
- Head Torch with spare batteries or USB rechargeable
- Waterproofing system for your backpack – Sleeping bag and warm layers must be waterproof, this could be with dry compression bags or simply just a heavy-duty garbage bag
- Camera! (optional)
- 1 x awesome attitude (this cannot be hired, must be brought from home)
Need help deciding? We’re here for you.
Want to know more? Speak with an expert. Call us, email us, or visit us in Halls Gap – we’re looking forward to hearing from you!