Wells Cave & Sugarloaf Peak

🥾 Hike #7 – Wells Cave & Sugarloaf Peak

Ready to take on one of Victoria’s most challenging hikes?

For this BHC adventure, we’re heading back to the Cathedral Range to tackle Wells Cave and Sugarloaf Peak.

This one is very different from our usual hikes. Wells Cave involves squeezing through a narrow cave before climbing up steep, exposed rock towards the summit of Sugarloaf Peak (920m). Expect significant use of your hands, steep rock faces, scrambling and some sections that feel more like climbing than walking. 🧗‍♂️⛰️

⚠️ This hike is specifically for people who are comfortable with advanced rock scrambling and exposed terrain. You should be confident using your hands and feet to climb steep rock and be comfortable with heights and exposure. This is not an introductory scrambling hike.

Parks Victoria rates Wells Cave Grade 5 and recommends it only for very experienced bushwalkers. They also advise against attempting it in wet or windy conditions and recommend allowing plenty of daylight to complete the route. 

We’ll take Wells Cave up to Sugarloaf Peak, then continue along the range before descending via the Canyon Track, rather than returning through Wells Cave. Parks Victoria specifically recommends Wells Cave as an ascent route only. 

📍 Hike details

🥾 Difficulty: Grade 5 - Very challenging

🧗 Terrain: Advanced scrambling, steep rock & exposed sections

⛰️ Highest point: Sugarloaf Peak - 920m

🕳️ Highlight: Climbing through Wells Cave

⏱️ Time: Allow approximately 4-5 hours, depending on group pace and time spent negotiating the technical sections

🎒 Pack: Keep it light - backpacks are specifically discouraged on the Wells Cave section because of the narrow squeeze. If anyone has suitable rope/cord or straps, please bring them along in case we need to temporarily secure or assist with packs through the more challenging sections.

Important: This will be a weather-dependent hike. We won’t proceed if conditions are wet, windy or otherwise unsuitable for the exposed rock sections.

If you’ve been wanting to try Wells Cave but haven’t had anyone to do it with, this is your opportunity to join the BHC crew and give it a crack!

BHC Members who have done 1+ hikes will get priority.

~~~

By attending this event, you acknowledge that hiking involves inherent risks including injury, illness, property damage, and adverse weather conditions. You participate voluntarily and are responsible for your own safety, fitness, equipment, and decisions during the event. The organiser is not acting as a professional guide and accepts no responsibility for any loss, damage, injury, or expense incurred as a result of participation.