Old Razorback Track
Victoria's High Country ridgeline at its sharpest.
The Old Razorback Track in Victoria’s Alpine National Park runs along one of the more exposed ridgelines in the High Country, connecting the Mount Hotham area toward the Cobungra River valley. The track earns its name — narrow, rocky, and perched on a ridge spine with steep fall-offs on either side. The approach climbs through snow gum woodland before the trees thin out and the views open up across the Dargo High Plains and beyond. Rocky step-ups and loose shale sections keep you honest the whole way, and the track is tight enough that passing another vehicle requires real patience and solid reversing skills.
This is solid intermediate-to-difficult terrain that rewards a well-set-up vehicle — a lifted 4WD with all-terrain tyres and a locker or two will handle it cleanly, but stock SUVs will struggle on the rocky sections in wet conditions. Snow closes this track reliably from late autumn through to October, so the summer window from November to April is your window. No permit is required but Parks Victoria manages the park and closures happen — check current track status before you go. Carry recovery gear and a UHF radio; phone signal is essentially nonexistent up here. It’s a shorter run than most Alpine tracks but it delivers everything you want in concentrated form.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Mixed, Rock |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 14 mi / 22.5 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 5840 ft |
| Best season | November-April |
| Minimum vehicle | Lifted 4WD with lockers recommended |
| Nearest town | Hotham Heights, Victoria |
| Land manager | Parks Victoria — Alpine National Park |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | Parks Victoria — Alpine National Park |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4WD handle Old Razorback Track, or do I need lockers?
A stock 4WD will struggle on this one. The rocky, exposed sections and steep off-camber climbs genuinely benefit from lockers — a lifted 4WD with front and rear lockers is the recommended minimum. Don't bring a soft-roader and expect to scrape through.
When is Old Razorback Track open, and does snow close it?
Best window is November through April. The track sits above 5,000 ft and the Alpine National Park high country gets heavy snow from May through October, which closes or makes this route impassable. Even in the shoulder months check current conditions with Parks Victoria before you leave.
Do I need a permit to drive Old Razorback Track?
No specific permit is required to drive the track itself, but you're inside Alpine National Park so standard park rules apply — no permit fees for vehicle access, but a Parks Victoria camping fee may apply if you're staying overnight at designated sites. Check with Parks Victoria directly for current camping registration requirements.
What's the hardest section on Old Razorback Track and what should I expect?
The exposed ridgeline climbs with loose rock and tight shelf road sections are where it bites. You'll deal with steep off-camber angles, eroded rocky surfaces, and very little room for error with big drop-offs on the flanks. One bad line and you're in serious recovery territory — this is not a trail to run solo.
Is there any cell service on Old Razorback Track, and how far is the nearest fuel?
There is zero cell service on this track — bring a PLB or satellite communicator, full stop. Hotham Heights is the nearest service point, but fuel availability there is limited and seasonal; top up properly in Bright or Omeo before heading into the high country.
Trail track
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