Child friendly rating: 2 stars

Distance: 9km

Signposted time: 4 hours 30 minutes

Bookings Required? Yes

Suitable in Winter? Probably not

Camping Available? No

4wd required? No

Parking: Park at the start of the Possum Hut Route off Mountain Track Road / Semple Road. It isn't a big carpark just a parking bay on the side of the road.

The track: While the elevation on this track is not very high, anything over about 600m asl is like being in the alpine zone and it feels more like 1000m asl. This means the track is very exposed and weather conditions change quickly. This is one of the highest risks on this track.

The first approximately 4 km to the site of the old Green Hut (hut no longer exists) are a gentle incline through forest.

The old Green Hut site is a good spot for a break and a picnic.

After Green Hut the track becomes more exposed, heading up to Pulpit Rock. From here to Silver Peak the track is undulating and exposed, but not difficult. In fact older kids will love this track because of detours such as the climb up to Pulpit Rock and Silver Peak itself.

After silver peak you descend down what’s called the devils staircase. The track gradually gets steeper and steeper downhill till you get to the river. Some sections are not really a track, but just rock you climb down. This technical section of track can actually be much more exciting for kids than flat.

After the devil staircase there are several creek crossings. These are not technical but you will get wet boots, again, making for a more exciting track for kids.

The last section before the jubilee hut turn off can get quite boggy. Because your boots will already be soaked from the creek crossings, you may as well just walk straight through any mud. The last section up to the hut from the turn off can feel quite exhausting, but you can see the hut.

It isn't however very toddler friendly at all, and even preschoolers shouldn't be on this track unless with highly experienced adults.

With a three-year-old being carried most of the way and our 8-year-old walking the whole way we walked the track in 4hr15, because the weather conditions turned and we had to power through.

Recommendations: This is a great challenge for older, fit kids (10yo+) even as a first time hike. Kids 7+ will likely enjoy it if they have done a few other trips already.

Make sure you pick a day with a clear weather forecast so that you can take your time and enjoy the track rather than needing to race off the ridgelines.