Bungal Forest Circuit - 11 Kms

 U3A Hike No. 171


Hike Report by Annette

Today our enthusiastic hikers met at Kirks just after 7.30am, were divided up between three cars, then set of towards Mt Egerton and onto the edge of the Bungal State Forest. It is not a big forest but looked very green and inviting.  The weather was on our side, and we even saw some sunshine, which after yesterday's rain was 'warmly' welcomed!!

Our leaders led the way along a 'gently' rising track (and not up the very steep tracks that we were eyeing off with trepidation).  At one stage we left the track and went ‘cross country'.  The walking was easy as there was not heavy foliage to go through. It was almost like walking on a carpet, as parts of it was blanketed in moss.

We came upon an old Iron Quarry (not GOLD, as one hiker wanted us to believe!) which overlooked Green Hill Gully and its creek.  Onward we went, scrambling over, under and around some trees that had fallen over the tracks (due to the heavy winds of recent days) and around some muddy puddles until we came to 'Snake Track'  - and no, we didn't see any.....

About halfway along this track we stopped for a morning break, then continued for about another 1km until we turned onto yet another track, slowly winding our way down to a ford crossing of the East Moorabool River.  At that point we followed the track along the river, then headed uphill again, then downhill - this one was very steep and rocky, so we all had to watch our feet (except for one clever hiker who took the path down on the far right - no rocks!) This area was obviously heavily used by motor bikes and 4WD's for hill climbing. Many rough tracks headed up the face of the hill.  From there it was just over 1km to get back to our cars.   Andrew said it was going to be 11kms, and it was just over. 

A lovely hike with great company, lots of green everywhere and many varieties of wildflowers.

Photos by Andrew









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