We first walked the Pinnacle six years ago and absolutely loved it. We recently returned to the Grampians and though we normally choose to hike different trails we knew we had to do this one again. After spending the last couple of years away from Australia on what was essentially a two year hiking extravaganza I wondered if the Pinnacle would live up to my memory of it from years ago before I had much hiking experience.

I’m pleased to say that it did and it remains one of our favourite walks in the Grampians and the whole country.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Pinnacle walk.

The Pinnacle Walk

The Pinnacle Walk stats

Distance: 4.5km (2.8 miles) return
Elevation: 300m (985 ft)
Time taken: 1 hour 30
Start point: Wonderland carpark

There are several different ways you can get to the Pinnacle which we’ll discuss at the end of this post but the one we’d recommend, and the route described below is from Wonderland.

Starting the trail

You begin the walk by heading into the Grand Canyon, now whilst it might not be anything like its namesake in the US, it’s a beautiful start to the hike.

You’ll immediately see why people love this walk so much, it’s no ordinary trail, you’ll be walking on rock rather than a formed track for much of the way.

You alternate between rock hopping and walking up slopes through the shady canyon - there’s always a handrail by the slopes that might otherwise feel slightly dodgy.

The deep grey walls of the canyon combined with the fun nature of the trail itself makes this the perfect way to begin the walk, and the reason we would not recommend using the Sundial carpark as a start point which misses this canyon entirely.

After a couple of staircases you will find yourself out in the open walking on knobbly rock which is fairly level, before hitting some metal grille boardwalk which is shaded by lots of plants and feels like you’ve strayed on to a different track entirely.

The Grand Canyon section of the Pinnacles

Enjoy this short flat section because it isn’t long before you hit the stairs. The stairs are not relentless, there are flat bits in between, but you do need to climb a number of sets of steps.

There are shady canyon overhangs and benches along the way if you need a break. This section feels more like a typical bushwalk and there was lots of birdlife along the way.

*The final flat section before the climb begins*

Once you’ve completed the stairs you’ll reach rock again and it’s another section of walking uphill on uneven surface before you reach Silent Street.

Watch out for wallabies on this part of the track, we saw one hanging around the bush which fringes the rock. It was a lot more shy than any of the kangaroos you’ll see down in Halls Gap though.

Bush on the Pinnacle Walk, The Grampians

Silent Street

It won’t be long before you reach Silent Street, another of the best sections of the entire trail. It’s a long, narrow, and high walled slot canyon which has a series of rocks which act as stepping stones allowing you to walk through the middle of it.

We loved this bit as it feels really wild and different inside the canyon walls! The final exit from Silent Street is up a steep staircase, at which point you are just a few minutes away from the final lookout.

It’s back to rock hopping and the same terrain you’ve had on much of the trail until you reach the railed lookout. The views from the top are amazing and look out at the vast mountain range as well as the sparkling blue reservoir.

It’s not just a lookout though, you can actually spend a long time up here exploring the vast rocky area. It is full of unfenced cliff edges though, just something to be aware of if you’re hiking with young children.

We got to the top around an hour before sunset which was nice light, although the sun sets in the opposite direction to the lookout. If you’re a photographer you’d want to be up here for sunrise.

Heading back down

You return the way you came and I found it slightly harder than the way up on certain sections just because of the terrain and feeling less steady descending than ascending. It’s not difficult as such but I took it slow to avoid twisting an ankle or slipping.

In terms of fitness though it’s obviously much easier because you’ve done almost all the hard work on the way up and it’s mainly downhill on the way back.

Normally I prefer loop trails but the Pinnacle walk is such an interesting track that I didn’t mind following the same route back at all! At the end of our second hike on this trail it is definitely still one of our all time favourites.

Packing suggestions for the walk

Having the right gear can make a huge difference. Here’s what we pack and have relied upon for years:

Sunscreen: Cancer Council Active. With a high SPF, but not the greasy feel of other sunscreens. Makes a big difference when you’re working up a sweat on a sunny day! Check it out on Amazon
Good Rain Jacket: North Face This is an essential item we always pack in our bag! This jacket from North Face is designed to keep you dry but also comfortably warm (many rain jackets will make you feel like you’re in a sauna). Check it out on Amazon
Bushman Spray: Good for keeping off the mozzies and any other bugs. Check it out on Amazon.
Day Pack: Osprey Talon 22 (we’ve owned this for years). Check on Amazon or direct with Osprey
Hiking Boots: Merrell Moab (for men and women). We’ve both used these for over three years and they just keep going. Check them out on Amazon
Trekking poles: We’ve used Black Diamond for years as they are light, solid and durable. Check them out on Amazon.
Reusable water bottle: To avoid single-use plastic. Check them out on Amazon

Essential info about the Pinnacle Walk

The Pinnacle walk difficulty

The Pinnacle walk from the Wonderland carpark is not a difficult walk as such but it’s also not ordinary terrain. You do have to walk on uneven surface and up rocky slopes, but there are always rails in places which might otherwise feel precarious. It’s the sort of track where you do have to watch your feet a bit to make sure you don’t trip. There are no sections which we would describe as being a scramble like on Chatauqua Peak or Hollow Mountain.

You do have to be able to climb quite a few staircases, although the total elevation gain is just 300m so it is not a huge climb.

We’ve always hiked this trail in the early evening and therefore not had to contend with too much heat. In the middle of the day in summer it is going to be much harder as quite a bit of the trail is exposed. Similarly in wet conditions the rock could be quite slippery, I’d personally only hike it on a dry day.

If you walk the trail from the Sundial carpark it is easier, and from Halls Gap it will be harder due to increased distance and elevation.

How to beat the crowds

The Pinnacle walk is deservedly popular and if hiking in summer or on a weekend can get very busy. For this reason we’d recommend starting early or late. We hiked it twice starting at just after 7pm and were easily back before sunset with plenty of time for photos. If you aren’t used to much walking you could factor in a little more time to be completely clear of walking in the dark.

The Pinnacle walk from Sundial carpark

Whilst being almost the same length as walking from the Wonderland carpark, the trail from Sundial is easier. If you are most keen on just making it to the lookout the easiest way possible you should use this option. However, in our opinion it misses the best bits of the trail, including the Grand Canyon and Silent Street. Whilst you will have a few rocks to hop the terrain is generally easier throughout and it’s the recommended route for those walking with young children.

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