Walkers can now enjoy an improved walking experience on the Overland track with the completion of track hardening to address braiding near Pine Forest Moor.
Braiding occurs when walkers try to avoid wet sections of track and create new pathways. This widens the track corridor and damages the buttongrass moorlands.
Overland Track repairs - Before and after Pine Forest Moor
Track workers installed 200 metres of double planking between Pelion Creek and the southern end of Pine Forest Moor. An additional section of track was replaced with stone paving.
Overland Track repairs - Before and after through buttongrass plains
These works, planned prior to the fires in February, were funded from money raised from the Overland track booking fees.
While the track workers were on site they also removed and replaced 860 metres of twin boarding burnt in the Canning Peak fire in February 2025.
Overland Track repairs - Canning peak before and after
These works needed to be done as soon as possible to avoid braiding and environmental damage.
The vegetation found on the Overland track is slow to grow in alpine areas such as this. This is a direct result of extremely shallow soils, despite it being 10,000 years since the most recent ice ages scraped the rocks clean.
By staying on track, you are helping to preserve this precious environment for the generations of walkers to come. For more tips on how to respect our natural and cultural heritage visit our Leave No Trace webpage.