Bruthen - Walking Trails
The Bruthen walking trails meander through Bruthen State Forest on the hillside above the town. The walks range from short, easy trails suitable for most visitors to longer walks through steep forested gullies. The forest consists mainly of Box and Ironbark woodland with a grassy understory, with wildflowers and orchids adding colour during spring. Wildlife can include kookaburras, possums, gliders and the endangered Powerful Owl.
Most of the walks start from the dedicated trailhead car park on McLeans Road, approximately 2km north of Bruthen off the Great Alpine Road. The Town Boundary Circuit and Figure 8 Circuit start from Main Street in Bruthen.
Bruthen Walking Trails Map
Easy Magic Walk - Return 600m, 10-25 minutes, Grade 1.
This all abilities walk follows a well-formed track with no steps. There are rest stops and a series of interpretive signs along the way. It is a good short walk for appreciating the forest setting and wildflowers, particularly in spring.
McLeans Loop - Return 1.6km, 30 minutes, Grade 1.
A formed track with some short steep sections. The scanned Bruthen Walking Trails brochure suggests looking out for the Powerful Owl and Bushy Hedge-grass along this walk.
Berry Farm Loop - Return 3.2km, 1 hour, Grade 1-2.
This longer loop extends through the forest towards agricultural land and the berry farm shown on the walking-trail map. The Berry Farm is identified as the feature to look for on Walk 2.
Explosive Magazine Loop - Return 2.5km, 45 minutes, Grade 2.
Around the halfway point is the small cement hut which gives the walk its name. The hut was used to store explosives in the early 1900s for blasting rock during road construction. The magazine was positioned amongst surrounding hills so that an accidental explosion would be directed upwards rather than outwards.
Plane Crash Loop - Return 5.3km, 1 hour 45 minutes, Grade 3.
The trail extends from the Explosive Magazine Loop and passes the site of a former plane crash. There are some steep sections through forested gullies, a creek crossing and a ferny gully.
Town Boundary Circuit - Return 7km, 1 hour 30 minutes, Grade 2.
This circuit starts and finishes in Main Street, Bruthen. Features identified in the Bruthen Walking Trails brochure include the walking bridge, Police Station, cemetery and school.
Figure 8 Circuit - Return 7km, 1 hour 30 minutes, Grade 2.
This circuit also starts and finishes in Main Street, Bruthen. The route incorporates parts of the town and surrounding walking network, with the brochure highlighting the tunnel, Tambo River, gardens and skate park along the way.
Access for Dogs:
Dogs are permitted but must be kept on a lead.
Location
Great Alpine Road, Bruthen 3885 View Map
Web Links
→ www.visitgippsland.com.au/products/bruthen-walking-trails
