Mt William (Duwul) Summit Walk

An out-and-back walk from Mount William Carpark to the summit of Mount William (Duwul), the highest point in the Grampians. Count on about 4 km return (2.5 miles) and 1.5 to 2 hours, following the sealed Mount William Road/Track up and returning the same way. Navigation is simple: one continuous paved corridor, no junctions to puzzle over.

Rated moderate, and the short distance is deceptive. The surface is bitumen the whole way, with no scrambling, but also a sustained gradient with nowhere to break the rhythm.

• The first 500 to 1,000 m is the hardest, with the steepest pitch of the climb.
• The grade eases over the final few hundred metres to the top.
• The walk climbs substantially from carpark to summit, so treat it as a hill workout rather than a stroll.
• Sturdy shoes suit the steep, hard surface, both climbing and on the steady descent.

Stunted eucalypts thin out as you gain height and open into 360-degree views over jagged ranges, surrounding peaks, plains and distant towns. Be aware that the summit is a working site as well as a lookout: transmission towers, an aviation communications facility and a Major Thomas Mitchell commemorative monument share the top. Some walkers find this makes the summit feel less natural than the panorama deserves, so it is worth knowing before you set out. The reward here is the height and the sweep of the view, not a wild summit.

This is a service road, and durable hazards on it are worth respecting: a steep track, unstable cliff edges away from the road, rock that can be slippery when wet, and falling limbs or trees in the wooded lower section. Management vehicles may use the road. The upper slopes and summit are open and exposed to wind, so a windproof layer is worth carrying.

Start at the named Mount William Carpark, which sits right at the beginning of the route. There are no facilities at the carpark or the summit, including no drinking water and no toilets, so bring all the water you need for the climb and the descent. Dogs are not allowed; assistance dogs are subject to separate entry requirements. Camping, fires, generators, firearms and horses are not permitted.

The Pinnacle walks cover a similar 4.2 km return in a similar 1.5 to 2 hours, but with water crossings, rock-hopping and dramatic rock formations. Choose The Pinnacle for varied natural footing and close-up rock scenery. Choose Mt William (Duwul) for the highest summit in the Grampians and the broadest panorama, reached by a straightforward if demanding road climb.