The hiking trails in the Dandenong Ranges are some of the most accessible and beautiful in Victoria, sitting just 40 minutes east of Melbourne yet feeling a world away from the city. Whether you're looking for a gentle hour among tree ferns or a half-day challenge through ridgeline forest, the Ranges have a walk to match your pace. The region is threaded with well-maintained tracks run by Parks Victoria, and the trail network connects everything from fern gully lookouts to historic townships and heritage gardens.
Easy walks: suitable for families and beginners
If you're new to the area or walking with young children, the Ranges offer several flat to gently graded trails that still deliver stunning scenery. The Kokoda Track Memorial Walk in Ferny Creek is one of the most popular easy routes, covering around 1.1 kilometres through dense tree fern gully and past a series of memorial plaques commemorating the Kokoda campaign. It's pram-friendly in dry conditions and takes about 30 minutes at a relaxed pace.
The Alfred Nicholas Memorial Garden walk in Sherbrooke is another gentle favourite. The circuit around this heritage garden takes under an hour and rewards visitors with a spectacular lake, tiered terraces, and seasonal colour. It connects to surrounding bush tracks for those who want to extend the day.
For a longer but still manageable option, the Grants Picnic Ground loop near Kallista winds through towering mountain ash and is one of the best spots in the Ranges to encounter crimson rosellas and king parrots at close range. The track is broad and well-signed, making it easy to navigate for first-timers.
Moderate walks: a step up in distance and terrain
Walkers comfortable with an hour or two on uneven ground will find plenty to explore in the middle ground. The Sherbrooke Falls Track is a favourite circuit of around 4.5 kilometres, descending through old-growth forest to a seasonal waterfall before looping back through the Sherbrooke Forest. The track has some steeper sections but is well-maintained and clearly marked throughout.
The One Tree Hill Picnic Area circuit near Kallista offers sweeping views across the valley and a mix of open ridgeline and shaded bush corridor. On clear days you can see across to the Melbourne CBD, which makes for a satisfying pay-off after the climb. The full loop is around 4 kilometres and suits most walkers without requiring specific fitness preparation.
These trails also connect naturally to the broader experience of nature walks in the Dandenong Ranges that the region is known for, where the journey itself carries as much value as the destination.
Challenging walks: for those who want a real workout
Experienced walkers looking for something more demanding will find it on the longer ridgeline and cross-country routes. The Lyrebird Walk in Sherbrooke Forest forms part of a broader trail network and stretches up to 10 kilometres depending on the route you choose. It traverses some of the densest and oldest forest in the Ranges and is one of the best places to hear (and occasionally spot) superb lyrebirds calling in the undergrowth, particularly in the cooler months.
The Kokoda to Doongalla loop combines multiple tracks through Ferny Creek and Sherbrooke for a challenging half-day walk of around 12 kilometres with significant elevation change. This route rewards walkers with genuine solitude once you move beyond the popular trailheads, passing through quiet gullies and open forest that feel remarkably untouched given how close they are to suburban Melbourne.
For those who want to extend the adventure, the wildlife spotting opportunities in the Dandenong Ranges are often at their best along these quieter, longer routes where echidnas, wombats, and sugar gliders are more regularly encountered away from the busier picnic areas.
Practical tips before you head out
A few things will make your day in the Ranges smoother. Trails can be wet and slippery after rain, particularly in shaded gully sections, so grip-soled footwear is worth the investment even on shorter walks. The Ranges can also be several degrees cooler than Melbourne on any given day, so pack a layer regardless of the season.
- Download offline maps before you go. Mobile coverage is patchy in many gully sections.
- Start early on weekends. Car parks at Grants Picnic Ground and Sherbrooke fill by mid-morning during school holidays.
- Carry water. Creeks in the Ranges are not safe to drink from without treatment.
- Check Parks Victoria fire danger ratings before visiting during summer and autumn. Some trails close on high fire danger days.
- Stick to marked tracks. Much of the Ranges is a designated wildlife corridor and off-track travel causes real damage to fragile understorey.
Getting there from Belgrave
Belgrave is the natural base for most of these walks, sitting at the end of the Belgrave train line and adjacent to Sherbrooke Forest. The township itself has excellent cafes, artisan shops, and a handful of spots to refuel after a long trail day. It's also the departure point for Puffing Billy, which makes for a wonderfully relaxed way to round out an active day in the Ranges if your legs have had enough by mid-afternoon.
Whether you're after a gentle morning stroll or a proper half-day challenge, the Dandenong Ranges hiking trails offer a quality of nature and solitude that's genuinely rare this close to a major city. The forest takes care of the rest.