Located at the spine of Victoria’s Alpine region, Backcountry Festival at Hotham Heights offers a rugged celebration of mountain culture and outdoor pursuit. This multi-day event challenges visitors to engage with fiercely beautiful wilderness, combining hiking, mountain biking, trail running, and backcountry skiing depending on the season. Trails carve through ancient snow gums and jagged ridgelines, elevation gains averaging between 300 and 700 meters per route, demanding focus and respect from every adventurer.

The festival’s heart beats amidst rough heather fields and dense Eucalyptus forests where fauna dart through shadows and rivers dare you to cross their slick stones. Each hike comes with varied terrain from rocky outcrops to soft dirt that compacts under sturdy boots and tires alike. Distances cater to all—from beginner-friendly 5km loops to expert-level 15km routes that reward with sweeping alpine views overlooking the Great Dividing Range.

Planning your visit means preparing for sudden alpine weather: pack layered clothing, reliable waterproofs, and footwear with solid grip for slippery moss and loose scree. Stay hydrated—the mountain air is dry and demanding. Arrive early to capture crisp morning light when the forest breathes new warmth, and trails hum under fresh footsteps.

Whether you’re chasing the pulse of a trail run, the quiet rhythm of a guided hike, or simply soaking in the backcountry’s raw energy beside campfires and storytelling circles, this festival translates nature’s complexity into a shared challenge and camaraderie. Approach the landscape as a living presence, shaped by wind, snow, and history, always inviting—not yielding.

Your festival experience becomes a practical immersion in alpine living, where every path walked and track pedalled is both an adventure and a conversation with this fiercely intriguing environment. It’s the kind of event that sharpens survival instincts while expanding appreciation, making it a must for anyone wanting an honest encounter with Australia’s high country.