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Planning a multi-day hike can involve an annoying amount of map-juggling. AllTrails is hoping to fix that with new backpacking functionality that lets hikers combine multiple trail sections into a single route.
The new tool is designed for overnight and multi-day hikes, making it easier to map out longer adventures without having to stitch together separate trails yourself.
To mark the launch, AllTrails has revealed its top backpacking routes in Australia, based on navigation data from its users. From alpine adventures and volcanic landscapes to coastal hiking, here are the top ten to bookmark for your next big walk.
1. Snowies Alpine Walk: Main Range Walk, NSW
Go deep into Kosciuszko’s high country with this 23-kilometre loop walk. Starting at Charlotte Pass, the trail crosses treeless alpine country, passing glacial lakes and enormous granite boulders before climbing towards Mount Kosciuszko, Australia’s highest point. Conditions can change quickly at this altitude, even in summer, so come prepared for the weather.
2. Mount Feathertop via The Razorback, VIC
This is one of the shorter ways to get yourself onto Victoria’s second-highest mountain. The 9.2km trail follows the Razorback towards Mount Feathertop’s 1,922m summit, passing snow grass, snow gums, and low shrubs before hitting exposed rocky country. There’s a 608m elevation gain, so it’s not exactly a gentle stroll, and winter can bring snow. If you want to take your time, Federation Hut near Little Feathertop gives you the option of making it an overnight adventure.
3. Arm River Track to New Pelion Hut, TAS
You’ll earn the right to put your feet up at the end of this one. The 24.1km trail heads from Arm Road through forest, lakes, creeks and open moorland to New Pelion Hut and its campground, with roughly 738m of climbing along the way. Signage can be patchy, so an offline map is a good idea. Pack warm layers, plenty of food and water, and decent shoes and gaiters.
4. Mount Kosciuszko Summit Walk, NSW
There’s a fair bit to look at before you even get to the top of Australia. The track follows the old road from Charlotte Pass past weathered snow gums, rock formations and Seaman’s Hut, built in 1929, with the Snowy River making a good picnic stop around 4.5km in. In early summer, the alpine meadows are covered in wildflowers before the final 1.4km climb from Rawson Pass to Mount Kosciuszko’s 2,228m summit.
5. Northbrook Mountain, QLD
You can turn this 9.5km loop into an easy two-day adventure by spending the night at Northbrook Mountain bush camp, plopped on a high ridge overlooking Kipper Creek. The campsite is a short walk from the summit, where you can look out across England Creek’s tributaries, wet sclerophyll forest and mountain heath. There are limited spots at the campground, so book ahead before you head out.
6. Breadknife and Grand High Tops Walk, NSW
Volcanic spires, steep ridges and a sky full of stars make this one of the more memorable overnight walks on the list. The 13.5km loop starts at Pincham and climbs towards the Breadknife and Grand High Tops, continuing past Lugh’s Wall and a string of lookouts before descending through West Spirey Creek. There’s 609m of elevation gain, with campsites along the route, if you want to stretch it into two days.
7. Mount Bogong Loop via Staircase Spur and Eskdale Spur Trail, VIC
There’s a long tradition of camping on Mount Bogong. Indigenous groups from around Victoria would gather here in summer, feasting on Bogong moths and camping below the treeline before making the climb to the summit. The 20.1km loop follows Staircase Spur up to the 1,986m peak before returning via Eskdale Spur, with Bivouac Hut and Mitchell Hut offering places to stay if you want to stretch the walk over two days.
8. Cape to Cape Track: Cape Naturaliste, Smiths Beach, WA
If you’re planning to walk the iconic Cape to Cape, this is where you get an idea of what’s ahead. The 16.9km opening section runs from Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse to Smiths Beach, with four to four-and-a-half hours of coastal walking through heathland, limestone outcrops and stretches of soft sand. Sugarloaf Rock is the standout, and Yallingup gives you options for breaking up the journey with a campsite, holiday park or proper bed. Tip: the track is exposed with little shade, so water, a hat and sunscreen are a must for survival.
9. Mount Jerusalem Trail – The Temple and Solomon's Throne, TAS
This 20.6km out-and-back takes you deep into Tasmania’s high country, starting through rainforest before climbing onto a plateau of shallow lakes, rocky paths and boardwalks over the bogs. Along the way you’ll pass historic huts and camping areas before reaching the Temple and Solomon’s Throne, with views across to Cradle Mountain. With 987m of climbing, it’s a solid walk, but there are campsites along the route if you want to make a couple of days of it.
10. Two Bays Trail, VIC
Why rush across the Mornington Peninsula in one day? This point-to-point trail runs from Dromana to Bushrangers Bay, crossing bushland and beaches in Arthurs Seat State Park and Mornington Peninsula National Park. Lightwood Creek Camping Area sits about halfway, giving you a straightforward option to stop for the night and finish at Cape Schanck the following day. The trail isn’t especially technical, but 25.6km is still a decent effort, and there’s no water along the route, so bring enough for the whole walk.