Trail Fast Facts

The Hume and Hovell Track is a 426km, grade 5 hike in South East, New South Wales and passes through the Woomargama National Park. This hike typically takes 26 days to complete.

Length: 426km

Duration: 26 days

Grade 5 (Difficult)

Style: One Way

Start: Cooma Cottage

End: The Hovell Tree

Location: Woomargama National Park

State: New South Wales

Nearby town: Yass

From state capital: 275km

Latitude: -34.863256999184614

Longitude: 148.94790530204776

Overview

Map and GPX file

Directions

Photos

Similar Trails

Weather

Reviews

Warning

NOTE: Some sections of the track are closed due to damage from the January 2020 fires. The latest closure map is located here.

Hike Overview

Follow the expedition of Hume and Hovell...

The Hume and Hovell Track is an epic trail in the south east of NSW that traverses rugged and beautiful countryside following a mix of public roads, fire trails, purpose built single track and over 100 footbridges.

The track stretches 426km and passes through the towns of Yass, Wee Jasper and Albury and nearby the towns of Tumut, Talbingo and Tumbarumba offering a variety of topographies, vegetation types and land uses, as well as numerous points of historic interest. Along the way, there are 17 campsites, picnic facilities, numerous boardwalks and three major bridges over significant rivers.

The track receives regular maintenance but it is likely that users will find trees and branches over the track in the heavily wooded areas, particularly after the winter season. As well, over time, and with funds being available, sections of the track are being rerouted to take them off public roads and improvements are being carried out, e.g. new boardwalks and bridges installed and shelter sheds being erected at bush campsites. Parklands Albury Wodonga established a section of track around Albury and the final link stretching north through farmland to the established track coming out of the Woomargama National Park at Tunnel road was opened in 1999 in time for the 175th anniversary celebrations.

Where possible existing fire trails, forestry service roads and other four wheel drive tracks were incorporated into the walking track. A few sections of public road had to be used and the balance, about half the track, is on constructed foot tracks. The track crosses the Goobarragandra and Tumut Rivers thanks to two pedestrian bridges over the Goobarragandra River and a suspension bridge over the Tumut River.

Minor streams required over 100 bridges and many sections prone to becoming wet and boggy have been spanned with boardwalks. A track logo, in the form of two, small stylised human figures, (see inset), representing Hume and Hovell, is displayed along the full length of the track to assist with track finding. At all trackheads and other places of access, signboards showing places, directions and distances have been erected. Where the track joins or crosses other tracks or roadways, directional bollards have been installed. If the track passes through areas of historical interest and significance, descriptive plaques have been erected.

For more information on this amazing track, visit the Hume and Hovell Track website

The Hume and Hovell Track traverses a variety of different terrain, grades, track types land tenures. The effective "difficulty" of each section varies frequently, so it's hard to summarise the difficulties over one single section. However, in broad terms, the track can be classified into three major levels of "difficulty", ranging from 2-4, based largely on Australian Standard 2156.1 - Walking Tracks - Classification and Signage.

Source and GPX file: Hume and Hovell Track

Tips

NOTE: Google's depiction of the track alignment is incorrect in many places.

Map and GPX file

Hume & Hovell Track (426km)

Total distance: 427337 m
Max elevation: 1257 m
Min elevation: 153 m
Total climbing: 11411 m
Total descent: -11771 m

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Trailhead

Track Grade

Grade 5 (Difficult) - Walks for the Most Experienced: Grade 5 represents the most challenging walking tracks on the AWTGS. These are only recommended for very experienced and fit walkers with specialised skills, including navigation and emergency first aid. Tracks are likely to be very rough, very steep, and unmarked. Walks may be more than 20 kilometers. These challenging walks demand a high level of fitness and experience to navigate difficult terrain, significant elevation changes, and potentially unformed paths.

Getting there

Hume & Hovell Track (426km)

Get directions

Photo gallery

Upload your photos

If you’ve got some great shots from this hike, I’d love to see them! Please upload your .jpg files here to help inspire other hikers and show off the beauty of the trail.

A quick note: Uploading your photos doesn’t mean you lose ownership. You’ll be credited for any photos you share, and you can request to have them removed at any time.

About the region

Woomargama National Park, a vast expanse of forest and woodland west of the Great Dividing Range, offers a captivating escape into nature. Situated approximately 450 kilometres south-west of Sydney, this park is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts seeking tranquility and adventure.

Explore a diverse range of landscapes, from towering trees to open plains, as you embark on walks, bushwalks, or hikes through the park's many trails. Encounter a rich array of wildlife, including endangered bird species, kangaroos, echidnas, and elusive creatures like the brown toadlet and superb parrot.

Immerse yourself in the park's history by following the footsteps of explorers Hume and Hovell along the walking track that traverses the region. Discover remnants of the past, such as old mining sites, as you journey through this captivating landscape.

Camp under the starry sky at one of the park's tranquil campgrounds, providing a perfect base for exploring the surrounding area. Whether you're seeking solitude, adventure, or a deeper connection with nature, Woomargama National Park offers an unforgettable experience.

Discover the park's hidden gems and plan your perfect adventure with Trail Hiking Australia, your guide to the best walks, hikes, and runs in the region.

Suggest an edit

Spotted a change on this trail? Maybe there are new features, the route has shifted, or the trail is permanently closed. Whatever the update, I’d love your input. Your feedback helps fellow hikers stay informed and ensures that our trail info stays fresh and reliable.

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Looking for things to do in Woomargama National Park or nearby? Try these similar hikes or bushwalks.

Let someone know

Adventure with Confidence: Register Your Trip Plans

Before you hit the trail, take a moment to fill out our trip intentions form. It’s a simple way to share important details about your hike with family or friends. If things don’t go as planned and you’re not back on time, they can easily notify emergency services, helping to ensure a quick response and reducing worry. Enjoy your outdoor adventure knowing that you’ve taken a smart step for your safety.

Reviews

Hume & Hovell Track (426km)

1 Review on “Hume & Hovell Track (426km)”

Overall rating

Darren Edwards Trail Author

For those seeking a truly challenging long-distance experience, this trail offers a rigorous test of endurance. While the full trek is a substantial commitment, hikers also have the flexibility to explore the trail in sections, accommodating individual timeframes and preferences.

05/08/2024, 23:49

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Gear to consider

What you carry in your pack will depend on the weather, terrain, time of year, type of adventure, and personal preferences. Having trouble deciding what gear’s right for you? My free planning, food and packing checklists provide an introduction to things your could consider (as well as the Ten Essentials) on your day, overnight and multi-day adventures. Customise your kit according to your personal needs, always considering safety first.

Explore Safe

While planning your hike, it’s important to check official government sources for updated information, temporary closures and trail access requirements. Before hitting the trail, check local weather and bushfire advice for planned burns and bushfire warnings and let someone know before you go. Plan ahead and hike safely.