Short & Steep Hiking Trail to The Horn Summit
At 1,723 metres, The Horn is the highest peak in the Mount Buffalo National Park, although you’ll only need to climb less than 60 metres in elevation to reach the summit!
Once you’ve made it to the summit of The Horn, you’ll be greeted with 360 degree views of the rocky mountain terrain, making the short but tough walk well worth it!
The hike starts at The Horn Picnic Area, which is about a 20 minute drive from the Mount Buffalo Lookout or a bit less than 20 minutes past Lake Catani.
From the picnic area and car park, The Horn Summit & Lookout is one kilometre and although it’s very steep, it usually only takes around 20-25 minutes to reach the top. This a return/in-and-out trail, so you’ll head back the same way that you came from.
Trail details
Difficulty
It is quite a difficult hiking trail as it’s up a steep uphill walk the entire way to the summit, although it’s only one kilometre in length with 58 metres of elevation, making it quite easy in the end.
Length
The entire trail is 2 km, that being 1 km each way.
Elevation
There’s 58 metres of elevation gained to reach the 1,723 metre summit of The Horn.
Closest place to buy food & drinks
You’ll need to head back down the mountain, out of the Mount Buffalo National Park to Porepunkah or Bright to find shops, including food and drinks. For cafes, restaurants and some great bakeries, head to Bright.
Dog Friendly
Dogs aren’t allowed anywhere inside the Mount Buffalo National Park, including The Horn Lookout hiking trail.
Accommodation & Camping
You can camp in the Mount Buffalo National Park at Lake Catani Campground, less than a 20 minute drive from The Horn. This is a great place to set up the tent or bring along the caravan as it has showers, flushing toilets, a laundry and 49 individual campsites that vary quite a lot, whether it be a large site for a big rig or the walk-in section for tents only.
If you’d prefer not the camp in the hills, there are a bunch of caravan parks and other accommodation options in Bright and Porepunkah, at the base of the mountains, with the Mount Buffalo River Caravan Park being a great option for camping, caravans or renting a cabin.
Free camping might be your preference, if so, take a look at Ah Youngs Campsite on the Buckland River, just below Mount Buffalo.
While you’re in the area, also consider the Mount Buffalo Circuit Walk, a great way to see a lot of the sites in the national park on the one trail.