Mt Stapylton/ Hollow Mountain

At the top end of the Grampians are some great rocky mountains that are easily accessible for most people. Mt Zero is the most northern mountain of the Grampians and offers extensive views over the plains of the Wimmera. Just south of this mountain is Hollow Mountain and Mt Stapylton. The area is typified by expansive rock faces and high cliffs like this shot of Mt Stapylton and the Taipan Walls. A line of cliffs from Flat Rock to below Mt Stapylton froms a large amphitheatre aptly called the Amphitheatre. This is also a popular climbing spot, with the Taipan Walls leaning beyond vertical into the Amphitheatre.

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The text that used to be in this section has been revised.

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There are many descriptions of a circuit walk taking in Hollow Mountain and Mt Stapylton. My guess is they're either all written by experienced climbers or the trauma has blocked one section of the route from the authors' minds as none of them (including my previous description of the route) warn you of what the route is really like.

There is a warning sign at the bottom of the Well's Cave walking track in the Cathedral Ranges that warns of "potential difficulties". That track is a stroll in the park compared to this one. For a complete, illustrated description of the walk read on.

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The three main walks (all short) in this area are Mt Zero, Mt Stapylton and Hollow Mountain. Of these the first two contain sections of track that are not entirely clear and some navigational skills may be required to make it back to the carpark. Hollow Mountain and Mt Stapylton contain many rocky crags and broad rock faces making it sometimes difficult to find the way back if you stray from the marked tracks. Even though the walks are only relatively short at least one family group a year spends a cold night lost on top of the mountain, practically within site of their car.