This grade 5 hike is extremely difficult and is suitable for very experienced bushwalkers only. It climbs 550 metres north from Sugarloaf Saddle Day Visitor Area to Sugarloaf Peak, the highest point on the range and is a challenging approach. The route involves short sections of free climbing, up near-vertical rock faces, which is not recommended for small children.
Avoid this track if you are uncomfortable in high open and exposed places and do not attempt in wet or windy conditions. Carrying backpacks is not recommended, as the track involves squeezing through the very narrow passage of Wells Cave and is recommended as an ascent route only. Descend via the steep rock face of the 650m Canyon Track.
This is a great walk that is really fun.
DO NOT ATTEMPT if you don’t have any climbing experience/are not physically fit.
My partner and I really enjoy scrambles and go to the climbing gym often, but there are parts of this scramble that nearly had us turning around (going back downhill would have been really difficult!). Particularly the section at the very end (picture included). There is a lot of potential to injure yourself. That being said, we had a lot of fun, and we laughed about the scary parts afterwards.
Samuel Wang
Google review
Fantastic scrambling route out here! Had a blast via the wells cave track. Was dry when we went.
Gear we had: trail running shoes, small sling bags with 500mL water bottles, long sleeve shirt and hiking pants. Anything more is gonna be a pain to squeeze through the cave sections.
Could get quite technical in certain sections, but I feel less experienced walkers can still manage to tackle this scramble!
Mary Mathews
Google review
There is a steady walk all the way up to Wells Cave and then.. it gets a lot harder, so cool, lots of climbing, i didn't bring my climbing shoes but it definitely needs good shoes! Lots of scramble hiking, one section was a bit tricky and i was thinking could i get over this cave, maybe if i had climbing shoes. But the cave is doable to get through... even though it doesn't look like it from afar. Really loved this hike! ❤ The view is very very good!
David Jorm
Google review
Easily the best hike or rock scramble within 2 hours of Melbourne. Going up wells cave and down the canyon track is the best route. None of the scrambling moves are that hard and there are no super exposed areas where a fall would have serious consequences. Definitely try this if you are ok with heights.
Matthew Coleman (Matt's Adventures)
Google review
One of my favourite hike/Rock scrambling in Victoria, the sense of achievement at the end is indescribable and part of the reason I do it, DON'T ATTEMPT UNLESS YOU ARE EXTREMELY CONFIDENT THAT YOU CAN FREE CLIMB NEAR VERTICAL ROCK FACES AND SHIMMY THROUGH, UP AND BETWEEN EXTREMELY TIGHT AND DARK SPACES. But give it a go if you are strong and capable,