Hollow Mountain is a superb short hiking trail located in the Northern Grampians. It offers fantastic views and rock formations, a suitable amount of rock scrambling up to the top offering fantastic views of the cliffs of Mount Stapylton.
Hollow Mountain hiking trail starts from Hollow Mountain Car Park at the northern most part of the Northern Grampians. It is a short, but somewhat arduous 3.2km hike mostly over rocky formations.
 Trail Head Options:
- The only way to get to Hollow Mountain Car Park is by car. It is located off Mount Zero Road in the Northern Grampians.
Hollow Mountain is a 3.2km return hike that will take about 1.5 hours to complete.
Trail Features:
- Rock scrambling
- Iron-stained sandstone cliffs
- Natural caves
- Natural amphitheatre
- Mt Stapylton cliffs
Out of all the hiking trails in the Grampians, this is certainly one of my favourites, with the least amount of effort spent for the best views and features.
Trail End Options:
- Hike the short Gulgurn Manja Shelter 1km circuit.
- Hike the nearby Mount Zero track.
- Hike the nearby Mount Stapylton track.
Trail Statistics:
- Starting Point: Hollow Mountain Car Park off Mount Zero Road.
- Hiking Trail Difficulty: Grade 4
- Distance: 3.2km
- Trail Type: Return Hike
- Elevation Gain: 190m
- Elevation Loss: 190m
- Minimum Elevation: 225m
- Maximum Elevation: 400m
- Time to Complete: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Ending Point: Hollow Mountain Car Park off Mount Zero Road.
Detailed Hiking Trail Guide:
Starting from the Hollow Mountain Car Park off Mount Zero Road look for the main entry point to the two hikes located here.
Take the path on the right to Hollow Mountain
A warning is displayed since there are exposed cliff edges, and slippery rocks, both making this path unsuitable for children unless under strict supervision. This is a Grade 4 walk, meaning that you should have some good hiking experience despite it only being just over 3km long.
Continue along the main path and go STRAIGHT whenever a opportunity arises. The side tracks are for rock climber access to various cliffs in the area.
Again, continue STRAIGHT.
After a short distance the sandy path turns to a rocky outcrop.
From here you’ll start to see yellow arrows drawn on the rocks. Follow these arrows. You should always be able to see one up ahead at any given time. If not, then follow the most worn path on the rocks.
Continue STRAIGHT here. This is another rock climbing turn-off.
Veer to the LEFT here as indicated by the yellow arrow.
Follow the light.
It looks like a dead end, but the hiking trail continues around and up to the right.
This is where it starts getting a bit more technical. Start climbing some rocks.
Great views from here. A teaser for what is to come.
Continue straight ahead over the rocks.
Please be mindful of the cliff edges.
More rock climbing/scrambling. Make your way up and through this gap.
The only way is up!
Great views out to the right. Meanwhile continue climbing the mountain around to the left.
When you see this orange cliff face, the trail veers around to the right. There are some interesting caves on the left here if you want to go exploring a bit.
Continue following the mountain around to the left.
A pleasant little overhang as you head around the corner here.
As you near the top the natural amphitheatre comes into view.
These are the cliff faces of Mount Stapylton, very popular for rock climbers.
We are not quite at the top yet though. Climb the rock that is located behind you to get to the top.
Continue to follow the yellow arrows to the top.
The views from the top are spectacular. Well worth the effort. Looking south.
North.
And West. When you have absorbed the views, head back down the way you came.
Follow the arrows back down the mountain.
While continuing to enjoy the fantastic views.
Careful getting back down this rock, and then head down towards the RIGHT.
Opposite to before, head down the mountain following the trail down around towards the RIGHT.
Back at the orange cliff face, veer LEFT slightly.
Take care when heading back down the steep rocks, they can be a little slippery.
All of Hollow Mountain is very scenic. Enjoy it all while it lasts.
Down and around to the LEFT.
Continue STRAIGHT at any intersections.
And back to the starting point again. We hope you enjoyed this beautiful hike.
Last modified: October 4, 2017
