Step into the cool mountain air of Kalorama, where tall eucalypts stand like quiet sentinels and lyrebirds call from the shadowed gullies. This forest circuit carries us through fern‑lined paths, rocky climbs, and pockets of old‑world garden charm — a walk shaped by shifting light, gentle sounds, and the calm beauty of the Dandenong Ranges. ## ⭐ **Hike Overview** * **Distance:** 12 km * **Elevation Gain:** \~500 m * **Grade:** 3 * **Difficulty:** Moderate – includes some steep ascents/descents and a short rocky climb * **Terrain:** Wide forest trails, narrow single tracks beneath high canopy, fern gullies, rocky steps, old garden paths, and open viewpoints * **Toilets:** Available at Doongalla Picnic Ground (lunch stop) ## 🌄 **Walk Description** We begin at **Kalorama Lookout**, where the land opens wide toward Silvan Reservoir and the distant folds of the Yarra Ranges. Morning light often settles softly across the valley, and the chatter of rosellas or the swoop of a kookaburra may greet us as we gather. Crossing Mount Dandenong Road, we follow gentle descending trails through cool eucalypt forest. The ground is soft underfoot, the air fresh with the scent of bark and moss. As we approach the lower Glasgow Fire Trail, the forest deepens — a place where lyrebirds sometimes mimic the world around them, and wallabies may slip quietly between the trees. Our first challenge is a **short, steep, rocky ascent** up the initial section of the Scar Track. It’s brief but asks for mindful steps — a moment to breathe, steady yourself, and move with intention. The trail then softens as we turn east, wandering through peaceful forest where filtered light falls across mossy logs and tall trunks. This leads us toward the **Doongalla Homestead and Picnic Ground**, where the landscape shifts unexpectedly: towering eucalypts give way to old English woodland trees, their branches arching overhead like a quiet, forgotten garden. The path becomes narrow and winding, climbing gently through this pocket of old‑world charm. We’ll pause for **lunch at the Upper Doongalla Picnic Ground**, a grassy clearing with picnic tables, birdsong, and a nearby toilet block. It’s a lovely place to rest beneath the trees. After lunch, the trail steepens as we ascend toward the **Mount Dandenong summit**. Here the forest grows tall and open, and the air feels cooler as we climb. We pass **Bourkes Lookout**, where the land stretches out in a vast sweep across Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, and the **Kyeema plane crash memorial**, a quiet place of reflection. The final kilometres ease into mostly flat walking as we return toward Kalorama, either along **Ridge Road**, lined with beautiful gardens, or via the forested **Trig Track**. ## 🎒 **What to Bring** * 1–2 L of water * Lunch + snacks * Sturdy walking shoes * Weather‑appropriate layers * Walking poles (optional but helpful on steeper sections) * Personal medication (e.g., asthma, allergies) ## ✔️ **Requirements** * A reasonable fitness level * Ability to walk 12 km with sustained uphill sections * Confidence on uneven and occasionally rocky terrain ## 🌱 **Walking With Grace** Our walks are unhurried and grounded in presence — moving with awareness, kindness, and connection to the landscape and each other. We walk at a conversational pace, pausing to notice the small details: the call of a bird, the texture of bark, the play of light through the canopy. No one is left behind. ## ❤️ **About Walking With Grace** Walking With Grace is a faith‑inspired, non‑profit community that welcomes people from all backgrounds and beliefs. Our walks are community‑led, volunteer‑run, and centered on connection, kindness, and enjoying nature together. Because **Adventures Are Meant to Be Shared.** ## 🕒 **Timing** * **Meet:** Kalorama Lookout (exact meeting point will be confirmed in the event details) * **Start:** Please arrive 10 minutes early for introductions * **Duration:** Approximately 4–4.5 hours including breaks ## 🌐 **GPX & Community** This event is part of **club.hiking.org.au**, a free online community where you can download GPX files, explore route maps, share your outdoor adventures, and connect with other hikers. The **GPX file for this walk will be uploaded there**. ## 🌟 **We Look Forward to Walking With You** Every walk is a chance to reconnect — with nature, with others, and with yourself. Whether this is your first event or your fiftieth, we’re grateful to have you with us.