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Mount Roland stands at 1234 metres above sea level and provides a stunning backdrop to the Kentish Municipality. 7461 hectares surrounding the range is within Mt Roland Regional Reserve and Mt Roland Conservation Area. The walk takes in the plains and plateau leading to the summit of the peak. There are two tracks to the summit.
Mt Roland via Kings Road ('Face Track')
Walking Time: 3-5 hours return.
The track is for experienced walkers as it is very steep in places with sections that involve clambering up and over boulders. The start of the track is located 1km up Kings Rd, the turn off to which is 200 m east of the Claude Rd Village Hall.
Mt Roland via O'Neills Road
Walking Time: 4-6 hours return.
The second walking track starts at Gowrie Park Village on O'Neill's Road off the C136. This is the easiest track to walk to the summit as it has a moderate incline. From Gowrie Park Village, travel towards Sheffield. Make a right turn into O'Neill's Road and drive for approximately one kilometre to the carpark. The walk follows a vehicle track for a few kilometres. You will pass a couple of waterfalls and creeks. After 45-60 minutes you will come to a log bridge that crosses O'Neill's Creek. The trail becomes a narrow track and starts to steepen. The track continues for a further 30 minutes in order to reach the saddle at 900m elevation. A left turn is then necessary to head towards the summit of Mt Roland. The track rises gently across the plateau and the summit is approximately an hour away. A scramble up some boulders is required for the last 60m but you will be rewarded with spectacular views. The trig point at the top of the summit provides spectacular 360 degree views to Bass Strait, Cradle Mountain and Barn Bluff.
Mt Van Dyke via O'Neills Road
Walking Time: 3-5 hours return.
The track is best suited for fit walkers. Follow the same track as that for Mt Roland for the first 700m. After 700m, take a right turn as the track climbs steeply through the forest. After another 45min-1hr, take left at an intersection. The track to mt Van Dyke climbs steeply with a few awkward sections for another 30 minutes before entering the alpine region above the forests. A small rise covered with boulders can be seen to the right and this is the main summit of Mt Van Dyke. A 10 minute walk off the main track is needed to reach this high point.
Mt Claude via Olivers Road
Walking Time: 2-3 hours return.
Drive up Olivers Rd from Claude Rd for approximately 4km. Park at the disused quarry here and start the walk up the gravel track past the locked gate. The initial 40 minutes walking leads along a steep gravel road to the transmitter towers near the summit of Mt Claude. There are great views of the surrounding country along this track. From the towers, a marked track is followed which climbs gently and then goes down a steep gully. Near the base of this gully is the right turn to reach the summit. There is no marked track along the detour to the summit but the route is obvious and another 10 minutes of scrambling is need to attain the true summit.
