Day 24 hiking the Australian Alps Walking Track solo

Australian Alps Walking Trail, Hiking, Trail Journal

Alpine Highway trek with empty huts, steep climbs above treeline, tricky footpaths, then a perfect fire-side camp near Twins Tank.

Hotham Ski Village to camp 1.2km south of Twins Tank (17.5km) | TOTAL – 498.3km

Much of my morning was spent walking on the sealed and windy Alpine Highway, with spectacular views of mountain ranges on either side of the road.

I called in to Diamantina Hut, which was empty of furniture, with the exception of a fireplace in its centre and built-in bench seats running along the walls.

I also followed a wide open doorway into Blowhard Hut, which was entirely empty aside from two crates made into a makeshift table, a bag of potatoes and six beers. Random!

Both huts lacked the warmth and character of the beautiful alpine huts I’d experienced so far.

The track then moved away from the road, following a faint foot trail along the side of a mountain, with the roar of engines becoming more distant as I went on.

Before long, I rejoined the highway, walking in a very narrow section between the yellow line marking the edge of the road and the metal guardrail.

Although in need of a break, I didn’t stop on the highway as I wasn’t keen to look like I was seeking a hitch. I tucked my thumbs away and kept my head down.

The trail then followed a 4WD track high above the valley, before taking an unsigned turn, which I missed initially, onto a rough foot track.

A very steep climb to above the treeline ensued. One lone bird joined me at the top, offering a tired, raspy quark. I thought, “I feel you!”

At just over 1,700m elevation, I was greeted by an Alps sign! The first in what seemed like way too long.

After a lunch break on top of the next peak, The Twins (1,703m), I descended steeply only to ascend once more, with loose rocks and shale requiring careful foot placement.

The foot track had been ambiguous at best, and without any trail markers, I kept my eyes firmly to the ground so as not to loose the ‘trail’.