The Monolith & Lake Catani Loop Walk

Starting near the Gorge Car park on Chalet Road, this walk leads first to The Monolith, then loops around Lake Catani via the Gorge - Lake Catani Track. You'll be welcomed by the colossal balancing rock as you make your way to the top. Take your time to enjoy the spectacular 360-degree views of the plateau. Continue along a well-marked trail to Lake Catani, an idyllic spot surrounded by alpine ash and snow gum forests where there are plenty of pretty picnic nooks and wildlife to be spotted. In summer, you can hire a kayak and glide atop the pristine waters of Lake Catani or enjoy a swim to escape the heat. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

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Safer Bushwalks Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.

Getting There Transport options and directions

Start	(-36.7223746,146.8217115)
Mode	Car
Directions	From Hume Freeway, M31 Turn on to Great Alpine Road Offramp then drive for 620 m Keep right onto Great Alpine Road Offramp and drive for another 120 m Turn right onto Great Alpine Road, B500 and drive for another 41.4 km At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Myrtle Street, B500 and drive for another 390 m At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Myrtle Street, B500 and drive for another 23.9 km At roundabout, take exit 3 onto Mount Buffalo Road, C535 and drive for another 25.2 km Turn sharp left onto Chalet Road and drive for another 1.8 km Keep left and drive for another 95 m Turn slight left onto Lookouts Road and drive for another 85 m

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. Find the The Gorge car park at the start. After another 15 m pass the shelter (25 m on your right).
	After another 10 m veer left. After another 25 m pass the toilet (15 m on your left). This toilet is male and female. After another 10 m head through/around the gate.
	After another 180 m (at the intersection of The Gorge - Lake Catani walking track & Monolith Walk) continue straight, to head along Monolith Walk (a walking track).
	After another 2.7 km (at the intersection of The Gorge - Lake Catani walking track & Monolith Walk) turn sharp right, to head along The Gorge - Lake Catani walking track (a vehicle track). After another 1.3 km cross the bridge (about 8 m long)
	After another 40 m (at the intersection of The Gorge - Lake Catani walking track & Underground River Track) veer right, to head along The Gorge - Lake Catani walking track.
	After another 15 m (at the intersection of The Gorge - Lake Catani walking track & Lakeside Walk) continue straight, to head along The Gorge - Lake Catani walking track.
	After another 390 m (at the intersection of Lakeside Walk & The Gorge - Lake Catani walking track) veer right, to head along Lakeside Walk (a walking track).
	After another 280 m (at the intersection of Campground Track & Lakeside Walk) continue straight, to head along Lakeside Walk.
	After another 55 m (at the intersection of Campground Track & Lakeside Walk) veer left, to head along Campground Track. After another 85 m (at the intersection of Lakeside Walk & Campground Track) continue straight.
	After another 100 m (at the intersection of Lakeside Walk & Campground Track) continue straight, to head along Lakeside Walk. After another 30 m (at the intersection of Lakeside Walk & Campground Track) continue straight, to head along Lakeside Walk.
	After another 750 m (at the intersection of Mount Buffalo Road & Lakeside Walk) turn right, to head along Mount Buffalo Road (a road). After another 245 m pass the car park (15 m on your left).
	At the intersection of Mount Buffalo Road & The Long Plain Walking Track continue straight, to head along Mount Buffalo Road. After another 310 m pass the picnic table (30 m on your right).
	After another 95 m (at the intersection of Lakeside Walk & Mount Buffalo Road) turn right, to head along Lakeside Walk (a walking track).
	After another 950 m (at the intersection of The Gorge - Lake Catani walking track & Lakeside Walk) turn left, to head along The Gorge - Lake Catani walking track (a vehicle track).
	After another 15 m (at the intersection of The Gorge - Lake Catani walking track & Underground River Track) veer left, to head along The Gorge - Lake Catani walking track.
	After another 1.3 km (at the intersection of The Gorge - Lake Catani walking track & Monolith Walk) veer right, to head along The Gorge - Lake Catani walking track.
	After another 215 m veer right.
	After another 40 m come to the end.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

The Monolith & Lake Catani Loop Walk

Grading

	Class 3/6 Moderate track
Length	9 km
Time	2 h 45 min to 4 h 30 min

Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage	Clearly signposted (1/6)
Infrastructure	Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather	Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)

Some facilities on route

Shelter: There is one 30 m from the start.

Toilet: There is one 65 m from the start.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Shelter	30 m	[shelter]
Toilet	65 m	[toilet]

Articles Discover more details to thrive on track
Get more information
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Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Falls Creek Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed
  
  Thursday 19 September
  
  1°C
  Snow showers. Becoming windy.
  90% chance of rain
  
  Mostly clear. Slight chance of a shower in the south later this evening. Near zero chance of rain elsewhere. Snow possible above 1700 metres. Winds northwesterly 25 to 35 km/h decreasing to 15 to 25 km/h in the late evening.
  
  Friday 20 September
  
  -2°C → 0°C
  Snow showers. Becoming windy.
  95% chance of rain
  3 → 15mm
  
  Partly cloudy. High chance of showers, most likely in the morning and afternoon. Snow falling above 1300 metres. Winds northwesterly 15 to 25 km/h turning westerly 25 to 35 km/h in the late morning and early afternoon. Overnight temperatures falling to between 2 and 5 with daytime temperatures reaching between 9 and 17.
  
  Fire Danger Rating: Moderate
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 9:20am to 2:50pm, UV Index predicted to reach 5 [Moderate]
  
  Saturday 21 September
  
  -2°C → 1°C
  Snow showers. Wind easing.
  95% chance of rain
  3 → 15mm
  
  Cloudy. Very high chance of showers, most likely from the late morning. Snow falling above 1200 metres. Winds northwesterly 20 to 30 km/h. Overnight temperatures falling to between 1 and 4 with daytime temperatures reaching between 7 and 15.
  
  Sunday 22 September
  
  -1°C → 2°C
  Snow showers easing.
  90% chance of rain
  1 → 7mm
  
  Cloudy. Very high chance of showers. Snow falling above 1200 metres. Winds west to northwesterly 25 to 35 km/h. Overnight temperatures falling to between 3 and 6 with daytime temperatures reaching between 8 and 16.
  
  Monday 23 September
  
  0°C → 5°C
  Partly cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Cloudy. High chance of showers, most likely in the morning. Snow falling above 1400 metres. Winds west to northwesterly 20 to 30 km/h tending north to northwesterly 15 to 20 km/h during the evening. Overnight temperatures falling to between 3 and 7 with daytime temperatures reaching between 9 and 17.
  
  Tuesday 24 September
  
  2°C → 9°C
  Shower or two. Becoming windy.
  50% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Shower or two. Becoming windy.
  
  Wednesday 25 September
  
  3°C → 6°C
  Showers or snow. Wind easing.
  80% chance of rain
  1 → 20mm
  
  Showers or snow. Wind easing.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- Parks Victoria Alerts
  When planning and before starting your trip please check Parks Victoria closure website for anything that may impact on your plans.

Weather Forecast

Alerts