The Fire Trail Hike, Mt Dandenong
The Fire Trail (also known as Glasgow Track) is one of the toughest hikes in the Dandenong Ranges National Park. It is ideal for bushwalkers training for the famous Kokoda Track in PNG. The trail is a steep uphill climb over rocks and tree roots but offers everyone who reaches the top at Burkes Lookout the reward of spectacular views. It is a better fitness challenge than the well known One Thousand Steps. Another really good hike on this side of Mt Dandenong, with plenty of hills, is the Western Slopes 12 km hike.
Pan around the image above to see the Fire Trail in 360.
Getting to the Fire Trail (Glasgow Track)
One of the best ways to hike the fire trail is to go to Doongala Homestead to start the walk. There are picnic tables, and toilets, making it an ideal starting point and a good spot for a picnic.
You can start the hike at the end of Glasgow Road which is off Sheffield Road but the parking is very limited and you must, please, be mindful of local residents.
Get Directions to Doongalla Homestead.
- From the Homestead, follow Camelia Track for just under 2 km. You will go past Rankins Track and shortly after see the Fire Trail going up the hill to the right.
- From here it is less than 600 meters to the top… but don’t be deceived, it is straight-up and involves a lot of rocks to negotiate along the way.
- At the top, you will reach Kyeema Track. Turn right and you will come to Burkes Lookout with great views across Melbourne and out to Port Philip Bay.
- Continue on Kyeema Track to Zig Zag Track and wind your way down the slopes of Mount Dandenong.
- Turn left onto Channel 10 Track and follow down to where it joins Doongala Forest Road (which is still a track). This brings you back down to the Homestead grounds.
