Magnificent Mountain Walks
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The Stirling Range offers some of the best bush walking in Western Australia. All peaks offer excellent views and walkers discover flowering plants at any time of year
- Wild flowers are profuse in September and October.
- Well camouflaged orchids bloom from mid August to early November.
- From November to January high country walkers find the higher the altitude the more flowers they will discover.
- From April, enjoy autumn (fall) bush walking which can be magic. In winter, (mid May to mid August) when strong southerly wind and widespread frost occurs, there is an increased likelyhood of snow on top of the highest peaks. When snow is forecast, weather conditions on the mountain tops are extreme.
Available from the Retreat Office:
- Two guide books, Mountain Walks in the Stirling Range by Tony Morphet. Part One - $15.40 and Part Two $16.40, are highly recomended.
- Free maps of flat walks in the Stirling Range National Park - Abbey - Mt James - Kanga - Paper Collar - Ongerup Creek Walks.
- Sunrise and sunset times. Also moonrise and set times.
- Weather Forecasts. Mountains are full of surprises. Weather can change rapidly with little notice, during any day and month of the year. Be prepared for wind chill and low cloud.
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BLUFF KNOLL
6km return 3-4 hours
Altitude 1094.97 metres or 656 metres from car park.
Bluff Knoll, listed as one of Australia's 25 best hikes, dominates the view from Stirling Range Retreat. It is the highest peak in the Stirling Range and indeed the whole southwest of Western Australia. With 360° views at the summit it offers ocean glimpses on a clear day. The 8km Bluff Knoll access road is just outside the Retreat's gate.
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TOOLBRUNUP PEAK
4km return 4 hours
Altitude 1052 metres
Looking west from Bluff Knoll, Mt Toolbrunup towers above other mountains. With a summit half the size of a tennis court and magnificent 360° views, this mountain appeals to hikers wanting a "top of the world experience". The trail up the mountain is a wilderness track with loose scree encountered for the last 1/5 of the hike. Toolbrunup was burnt in January 1996, caused by lightning strike.
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ELLEN PEAK
22km return 10-12 hours
Altitude 1012 metres
Ellen Peak is the eastern end of the Stirling Ridge Walk. Apart from the first 5kms of firebreak the track is informal and unmarked and easy to lose. A compass traverse may be necessary. Very strong gusty winds and/or whiteout conditions sometimes occur at short notice. Please contact the Retreat office for information regarding access to Ellen Peak.
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STIRLING RIDGE WALK
The only alpine walking in Western Australia. The Stirling Ridge Walk involves narrow ledges and very steep ascents and descents and much scrambling over jagged rocks and through sharp bush. Violent weather changes including very strong gusty winds, whiteout, sleet or snow can occur with little notice. It usually involves a two night bivouac which may be in these conditions, so walkers must be appropriately equipped. The trail is unmarked and easy to lose, and a compass course may be necessary. A.T. Morphet's book Mountain Walks in the Stirling Range, Part 2 describes the ridge walk in great detail. Hikers must register with the CALM Ranger - phone 9827 9230. Stirling Range Retreat offers a shuttle service for guests. Forward bookings are essential - phone 9827 9229...(more)
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MT TRIO
2km return 3 hours
Altitude 856 metres
Mt Trio, with three separate peaks linked together by a plateau was originally known as Warrungup. It was burnt by wildfire in 1996 - caused by lightning. The steep walking trail with some scree beings at the carpark with a tourist boardwalk and continues up the plateau at the summit. Here during spring - on the summits - walkers will be rewarded with beautiful mountain bells and southern cross flowers. The mountain slopes are endowed with wildflowers from mid August to October.
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MT MAGOG
7km return 6 hours
Altitude 856 metres
Burnt by wildfire (started by lightning) in January 1999, this trail commences from a lovely white gum/heath picnic area up through the valley towards the summit. The track is overgrown in some places. To experience the best of this mountain Tony Morphet's book is a highly recommended guide.
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MT HASSEL
2km return 2.5 hours
Altitude 847 metres
Last burnt (by lightning strike) in January 1996. This popular hike finishes with a short steep scramble over a dome of rock, forming the summit. This is an "easier" hike, with many wildflowers during spring.
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TALYUBERLUP PEAK
2km return 2.5 hours
Altitude 783 metres
A rock hopper's paradise, with interesting chasms, rocky spires and narrow gullies at the summit. Some scrambling over ledges is required. Vegetation has recovered well since being burnt by a wildfire started by lightning in January 1997. Again, to experience the best of Talyuberlup Peak, Tony Morphet's book is highly recommended.
Recommended attire for hiking in the Stirlings includes long
trousers, a long sleeved shirt, weather proof jacket, boots or sturdy
shoes with non slip soles, sunscreen and a hat.
- Be sure to carry enough water. Walkers should carry two to three litres of water per person for half to full day walks depending on the weather.
- All refuse including food scraps must be carried out of the National Park.
- Toilet practises: Please make sure it is all buried, including paper products.
- All flora and fauna are protected - the picking of wildflowers is prohibited.
- Dogs and cats are not permitted in the National Park - not even in parked vehicles. To kill foxes 1080 poison baits are scattered in the National Park. These baits kill cats and dogs.
Long distance walkers should register in the log books at the Bluff
Knoll Picnic Area at the corner of Chester Pass Road and Bluff Knoll
Road. Remember to sign in upon your return.
Photo Credits Ph: (08) 9827 9229 Fax: (08) 9827 9224
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