Dandenongs, Australia

One Tree Hill/1000 Steps

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Tourists flock to the (almost) 1000 step-climb of the Kokoda Walk, which includes a memorial and plaques depicting events from the 1942 Papua New Guinea World War II campaign. The steps can be narrow, slippery, and busy…so we recommend hiking them or using caution. There’s fantastic trail running on the One Tree Hill trails, located in the hills adjacent to the 1000 steps. Challenging fire trails and tracks crisscross the area. There are many route options, but our mapped route starts at the 1000 step Carpark and features two climbs.

First Climb: Heading up Lyrebird Track and Lord Somers Road (alternative route to the 1000 steps) will get you to the One Tree Hill Picnic Ground (second carpark option). From there the trails are all dirt, heading up Janesdell Track, right at Tyson Track another right at Outlook Track before left onto Hansen Track. Second Climb: Join Nyora Ave, then Chandlers Track. Right onto View Track, then a left onto Macedon Track as you head back down the mountain. Right onto Belview Terrace will take you to the bottom of the hill, then left as you follow the trail adjacent to Mount Dandenong Tourist Road, back up to the carpark.

Toilets and water fountains can be found at both the lower carpark (1000 steps start point) and on One Tree Hill (carpark also available). I personally prefer to start at the 1000 steps carpark to start with uphill and end with downhill. The 1000 steps Cafe may be open (closed Monday and Tuesday) to refuel post run.

 

Essentials
  • 10.90 km (6.8 miles) loop
  • 572m (1876 feet)
  • Car is preferred, however the Upper Fern Tree Gully train station (on the Belgrave line) is just 1.2 km away

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Essentials
  • 10.90 km (6.8 miles) loop
  • 572m (1876 feet)
  • Car is preferred, however the Upper Fern Tree Gully train station (on the Belgrave line) is just 1.2 km away