One of Warburton’s classic walks, this 12 km circuit (Grade 4 — hard, allow about four hours) starts right on Main Street and heads west along the Lilydale–Warburton Rail Trail before climbing into the forest above town.
From Scotchmans Creek — named for a Scottish prospector who chased the 1859 gold rush here — the route ascends the Backstairs Track, a former packhorse route to Old Warburton, through lush fern gullies and towering mountain ash. It then tackles Mount Little Joe (469 m), named after “Portuguese Joe”, a local packer, before a scenic return through Old Warburton on a gently benched old tramway formation.
A shorter 9 km variation skips the summit. The track passes Dolly Grey Park and is walkable year-round, though expect mud through winter. Wear sturdy boots and carry water — there are no facilities once you leave town.