Hiking through Karijini National Park is an experience like no other. Located in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, this remote park is one for adventure seekers. The adventure begins as you descend into the millennia-old gorges and look up at the towering red rock that engulfs you with mesmerising bands of geology on show, smoothed from the passage of time. Within Karijini there are a variety of hikes – the more challenging usually offer a reward in the form of a natural pool or stunning viewpoint for those up for traversing the tricky terrain of the Karijini gorges.
Think you are up for the challenge? Pack your hiking boots, grab your camera and let’s get into some of the best hikes that Karijini has to offer.
Need to know
The hikes in Karijini follow the Australian Hike Grading System. The trails below range from Class 2 to Class 5 in difficulty. Flash flooding is a real risk in the Karijini gorges, so do not enter when it’s raining. Sadly lives have been lost at Karijini, even in good weather. Always check the trail classification, hike to your own ability and weather conditions and stay away from cliff edges.
Read up on everything else you need to know about visiting Karijini National Park.
Hancock Gorge
One of Karijini’s most adventurous and challenging hikes begins with a steep ladder descent into the gorge. Whilst not a long hike, the trail along the gorge includes navigating sections of water up to waist deep and climbing up sections of the gorge wall. The last section includes the infamous “Spider Walk,” where hikers straddle a foot on either side of the rock wall for a short section before reaching the emerald green waters of Kermit’s Pool.
Need to know
Length: 1.5 km
Time: 2 – 3 hrs
Grade: Difficult / Grade 5 (according to the Australian Walking Track Grading System)
Style: Return
Access: Park at the Weano Day Use area.
Knox Gorge
Knox Gorge is one of the most underrated of the Karijini gorges, but this is one of my personal favourite hikes in the park. It begins with a rocky scramble deep down into the gorge. When you finally make it to the bottom, the gorge stretches on into the distance ahead, surrounded by greenery and rich red rock all around. Hiking through the gorge you will come across a deep turquoise-green pool, before reaching the end of the return trail. Here, the rocky gorge continues, inaccessible to hikers but offering a mesmerising view into the seemingly endless red gorge beyond.
Need to know
Length: 2 km
Time: 3 hrs
Grade: Difficult / Grade 5 (according to the Australian Walking Track Grading System)
Style: Return
Access: Knox Gorge Parking Area.
Mount Bruce
Mount Bruce, known as Punurrunha to the Aboriginal people, stands tall at over 1,200 metres high – making it Western Australia’s second tallest peak. Mount Bruce offers scenic views with options for three different length tracks. The hike to the summit is the most challenging of them all at 6 hours return. You will be rewarded with an incredible view of the surrounding landscapes from the high vantage point.
Need to know
Length: 500 m – 9 km
Time: 30 min – 6 hrs
Grade: Moderate – Difficult / Grade 2 – Grade 5 (according to the Australian Walking Track Grading System)
Style: Return
Access: Parking area located 3 kilometres south of West Entrance Station (outside the Park).
Joffre Gorge
The park’s most impressive waterfall awaits at the bottom of Joffre Gorge. This hike begins with a walk around the top of the gorge before navigating a series of ladders that lead to the bottom of the gorge. A short walk through a stream of water leads you to a natural amphitheater where Joffre Falls collects into a refreshing (but ice-cold) pool… Swim if you dare. Before leaving, don’t forget to head to the Joffre Lookout on the other side of the gorge for scenic views down into the gorge.
Need to know
Length: 3 km
Time: 2 hrs
Grade: Moderate – Difficult / Grade 4 – Grade 5 (according to the Australian Walking Track Grading System)
Style: Return
Access: Joffre Gorge Parking area.
Dales Gorge
Dales Gorge is home to a trail that takes you through the gorge and to the incredible Fortescue Falls. An optional gentle 300-metre trail then leads you to a pool surrounded by lush green ferns, the aptly named Fern Pool. Starting from the top of the gorge, follow the gorge rim to the Circular Pool Lookout. From here, take the trail down into the gorge to discover the wonders that await. Visitors wanting a shorter, easier track can head directly to Fortescue Falls via a long set of steps to the refreshing pool below.
Need to know
Length: 2 km
Time: 3 hrs
Grade: Moderate / Grade 4 (according to the Australian Walking Track Grading System)
Style: Circuit
Access: Dales Day Use Parking area.
Hamersley Gorge
Located on the furthest western edge of the park, Hamersley Gorge is worth the drive. The gorge itself is one of the most stunning in the park, with layered bands of mineral rock juxtaposed against the leafy white gum trees leaning over the sage green waters. Admire this scenic lower pool or continue up the gorge onto the more challenging Class 4 trail in search of the iconic “Spa Pool.” A lot of rock clambering is required to reach the perfectly natural formed plunge pool that awaits at the end of the trail.
Need to know
Length: 500 m
Time: 1 hr
Grade: Moderate / Grade 4 (according to the Australian Walking Track Grading System)
Style: Return
Access: Hamersley Gorge Parking Area
Have you been to the Karajini National Park? Got it on your bucket list? Got any questions, comments, updates or corrections? Let us know by commenting below.
