Without a doubt, the jewel in the crown of hiking in the Marysville area would have to be the Keppel Lookout trail via Steavenson Falls.
A near-on 15km hike, it takes in some amazing views of the surrounding Marysville area via Keppel Lookout, as well as the main attraction in town – Steavenson Falls.
Now, you can start this hike virtually anywhere along the way, but I always like to start this hike from the car park of the Information Centre located on Murchison Street.
This is where the Tree Fern Gully Trail begins; a gravel track surrounded by – you guessed it – ferns that gently rise to Steavenson Falls.
It’s not an overly tough section of the overall hike and is ideal for those looking for a shorter hike to do in the area.
The falls are a great place to stop for a break and to take a million photos both at the bottom and top viewing platforms. While the path from the bottom to the top of the waterfall isn’t overly taxing, it is quite rocky in some places and therefore some care does need to be taken.
On a clear day, the view at the top is absolutely spectacular and showcases much of the regrowth after the fires in 2009. So it’ll be worth the effort to get there.
From the top lookout point, backtrack momentarily and follow the trail up to Keppel Lookout. You won’t miss the trailhead, as this point, much like the entire walk, is well-signed.
Given you are heading to a lookout point, this section of the hike is a gradual uphill climb with some nice views along the way.
Much of the trail is clay, so please be mindful of where you step as it can get slippery after a dewy morning. But it all that work will be worth it as the view from Keppel Lookout is ridiculously good.
I was fortunate enough to be up there on a relatively clear day and was able to clearly see the Cathedral Ranges off in the distance.
From here, it is a gradual descent back into town. Mind your step in the first section after the lookout as it is a sharp descent with a few decent corners to boot.
Once you are past this section, it’s a relatively straightforward hike as you make your way back to the trailhead and rejoin the Tree Fern Gully Trail along the way.
Overall, the Keppel Lookout trail is a fantastic day hike and one I would recommend for most hikers who have a good level of fitness.
If you have never done 15kms before, don’t let it put you off! Take your time, take in the views, and the seemingly daunting task of hiking that far won’t seem as bad.
As always, if you want to follow my recorded trail, you can do so here via my WikiLoc account.
The Stats – Keppel Lookout Trail via Steavenson Falls
Length (km): 14.9km (according to WikiLoc)
Time: 4hr 27 mins
Moving Time: 3hr 55 mins
Average Speed: 3.34km/h
Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
Maximum Elevation: 846m
Accum. elev. uphill: 451m
Accum. elev. downhill: 451m
Return/Circuit/One Way: Circuit
