Craigieburn Forest Park is filled with braided rivers, beech valleys, tussock grasslands, alpine screes and rugged mountain peaks over 2000 meters high. With two ski fields and plenty of hiking and mountain biking tracks within the forest park, it’s easily the locals’ favorite weekend spot for both chill and adrenaline rushed activities. On my trip to Craigieburn Forest Park, I hiked the Helicopter Hill Track to the scenic Helicopter Hill peak.
Helicopter Hill Track Starting Points
There are multiple entrances to different tracks’ trailheads that connect with Helicopter Hill Track that starts at Lyndon Saddle. You can reach Lyndon Saddle by starting from Mistletoe Flat Campsite and enter the trailhead to Mistletoe Track, or via Luge Track Trailhead near the Environmental Education Center.
For longer and more challenging tracks to Lyndon Saddle and Helicopter Hill, you could also start from Broken River Ski Area’s Tractor Shed Car Park into Camp Saddle Track trailhead (which leads to yet another scenic Camp Saddle), or from Craigieburn Valley Ski Area into Craigieburn Edge Track northern-end trailhead. However, the vehicle access roads to the ski areas would be locked (no vehicle access but can be entered on-foot or by mountain bikes) during off-season.
12.28pm: On my trip, I drove until the gated and locked vehicle access road to Craigieburn Valley Ski Area, parked my car at the parking space and started my hike from there.
(+8)12.36pm: Walk over the boom gate and continue along Craigieburn Valley Road until you find the Southern-end trailhead of Craigieburn Edge Track to your left. Enter the trailhead.
(+18)12.54pm: Walk the gentle uphill track through mountain beech forest until you see the signboard at a junction. Take a sharp left turn into Lyndon Saddle Track.
(+6)1pm: Crossing a section of open hill and tussocks with some views.
(+6)1.06pm: Arrived at Lyndon Saddle. Follow the signboard to enter Helicopter Hill Track trailhead.
Lyndon Saddle to Helicopter Hill
(+1)1.07pm: Uphill all the way through a steep ridge with open scree slopes.
(+6)1.13pm: Views on the way up.
(+1)1.14pm: Almost there.
(+6)1.20pm: Arrive at the summit of Helicopter Hill with spectacular views of the Craigieburn and Torlesse ranges. You could also see the limestone landscape of Castle Hill Basin.
Have this guide helped you? Tag @meowtainpeople in your hiking stories & posts!
*Captain Planet passing by* Remember, please take care of our environment, and please don’t destroy the Nature. Leave no trash behind and take back only photos and memories (and also some trash if you can). Walk on the designated path and stay in the middle as much as you can, so that the exposed soil doesn’t spread/corrode further. BE ONE WITH NATURE *flies away*
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