Alpine grazing challenged in Vic court

Environmentalists have launched legal action to stop cattle grazing in Victoria's heritage-listed Alpine National Park.

The Victorian National Parks Association says a state government decision allowing cattle into the park ignores the intention of the law established to protect it.

A trial allowing 57 head of cattle to graze at a former livestock station in the Wonnangatta Valley, about 150km northeast of Melbourne, wrapped up earlier this week.

The state government has commonwealth approval for a larger test involving up to 300 cows next summer.

The parks association's executive director Matt Ruchel said on Friday the proposed trials had been widely criticised by scientists and conservationists.

"There is absolutely no reason to hold the trial in the national park but the government seems intent on restoring grazing access for their cattlemen mates," Mr Ruchel said.

When the trial was launched in March, Victoria's Environment Minister Ryan Smith said it would provide new and important data on how bushfire fuel loads can be best managed.

On Friday he branded the Supreme Court action an "attention-seeking stunt".

"The trial was conducted under strict conditions set down by the federal government," Mr Smith said.

"This government is committed to exploring every option available to us to reduce the threat and impacts of bushfires."