Singapore has plenty of nature parks and pretty reserves but nothing can really replace the presence of a whole frickin’ mountain range. Hardcore adventurers, you may have conquered the nearby mountains of Korea or even the trails of Indonesia but if you’re looking to take things to the next level, there’s a new 160km hiking trail about a 7-hour flight away, in Victoria, Australia.
Situated a 4-hour drive away from Melbourne, the Grampians Peaks Trail, is an extensive trek for nature lovers to escape into, Bear Grylls style.
On our last Melbourne road trip, we swung by The Grampians, a popular national park known for its hiking trails and stunning views. There’s no doubt about it, it lives up to its reputation as one of the most scenic mountains on the continent.
The massive park features short trails that take as little time as 2 hours, perfect for folks looking for a quick visit. But, for those who are looking to immerse themselves in the great outdoors, the Grampians Peaks Trail is the park’s pièce de résistance to KIV for your next hiking expedition.
Image credit: @grampianspeaktrail
Stretching across 160km and covering Signal and Chautauqua peaks, the trail passes lakes, woodland valleys and streams. To get a sense of scale, imagine traversing the length of Singapore four times over.
Image credit: @bethhowardd
The trail starts at Mount Zero, heads south and ends at Dunkeld, a small town located right at the edge of the national park. Along the way, expect to spot more than 90 wildlife species of Aussie’s adorable animals such as red foxes, emus and deers, as well as over 900 types of plants.
Image credit: @grampainspeaktrail
As ulu as it sounds, the AU$33.2 million (~S$3.07 million) dollar trail is relatively well developed with 11 campsites along the way. Two of these campsites even feature proper huts you can book to reside in for the night.
Image credit: @grampianspeaktrail
The entire journey is no easy feat, rating Grade 4-5 on the Australian Walking Track Grading System, with 5 being the maximum level, that’s recommended only for experienced hikers.
Those not yet ready for the full trek can alternatively pick out a smaller section of the route to explore. There are plenty of entrances and exits dotted along the way, forming shorter bits of trails suitable for the folks of all fitness levels.
If you’ve got time on your hands and ALs to spare, the Grampians Peak Trail is calling, offering an offbeat adventure. To get you started, Parks Victoria has tips on how to prepare for your hike, as well as an itinerary you can follow by checking out the link below.
For hiking trails you can explore in Singapore:
Cover image adapted from: @grampianspeaktrail, @grampianspeaktrail, @grampainspeaktrail
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