12th May 2025

Karijini National Park: The Ultimate Hiking Guide to Western Australia’s Ancient Heart

Deep in the red-soil country of the Pilbara lies one of Australia’s most awe-inspiring landscapes. Karijini National Park hiking trails offer a place of towering gorges, sparkling waterfalls, and ancient stories carved into stone. This is not just a hiking destination—it’s a journey through billions of years of Earth’s history.

Whether you’re planning a solo hike into the gorges or joining a Karijini guided hiking experience with The Hike Collective, this comprehensive guide will help you explore Karijini hiking trails with confidence, care, and curiosity.

Why Hike Karijini?

Karijini is Western Australia’s second-largest national park, but it remains one of the most underexplored by everyday adventurers. It’s remote, rugged, and astonishingly beautiful. Karijini hiking trails slice deep into the land, waterfalls tumble into jade-green pools, and trails lead you through timeworn rock over 2.5 billion years old.

From the adrenaline of scrambling through Hancock Gorge’s famous Spider Walk to the serenity of floating in Fern Pool beneath a cascade of freshwater, Karijini hiking tours offer something for every kind of explorer.

Learn more in our post: Why Karijini Should Be On Your Hiking Bucket List.

Best Hikes in Karijini National Park

Karijini is a playground for hikers, with trails ranging from family-friendly walks to technical Class 5 and 6 gorge scrambles. Here are the top Karijini hikes worth exploring.

Hancock Gorge & Kermits Pool

Distance: ~1.5 km return
Difficulty: Advanced (Class 5–6)
Time: 2 hours+

This Karijini hike is a rite of passage for Karijini visitors. Beginning with a steep descent into the gorge, you’ll scramble, wade, and navigate through narrow passages known as the Spider Walk Karijini before reaching the breathtaking Kermits Pool Karijini.

Local Insight: This gorge system is a natural water filter. The pool water passes through iron-rich rocks, giving it an almost surreal clarity and coolness even on hot days.

More details: Hiking Hancock Gorge – A First-Timer’s Guide.

Dales Gorge Loop: Fortescue Falls, Fern Pool & Circular Pool

Distance: ~2–3 km loop
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 2–3 hours

This loop offers one of the most scenic and accessible Karijini hikes. Begin at Fortescue Falls, descend into the gorge, and follow the trail to Fern Pool—a tranquil, culturally significant swimming spot. Continue on to Circular Pool, nestled at the base of sheer red cliffs.

Did You Know? Fern Pool is considered a sacred site by the Banjima people. Quiet, respectful swimming is encouraged, with no diving or loud noise.

Weano Gorge to Handrail Pool

Distance: ~1.5 km return
Difficulty: Moderate to advanced
Time: 1–1.5 hours

Short but spectacular, this Karijini hiking trail includes rock scrambling, creek crossings, and a final descent with a handrail into a cool, shaded pool surrounded by towering walls.

Trail Tip: Water levels vary seasonally—some sections may be submerged or slippery in shoulder seasons. Water shoes with grip are essential.

Mount Bruce (Punurrunha)

Distance: 9 km return
Difficulty: Moderate to hard
Time: 4–6 hours

For big views and a big challenge, the Mount Bruce Summit Trail is a must. As WA’s second-highest peak, it offers expansive views of the Hamersley Range and Marandoo Mine.

Cultural Note: Punurrunha is a deeply spiritual place for Traditional Owners. Hiking it with awareness and respect is an opportunity to connect with something greater than the summit.

Want to climb it? Read: Mount Bruce Summit Trail: Our Sunrise Hike Experience.

Hamersley Gorge & Spa Pool

• Distance: ~400 m descent
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate
• Time: 30–60 minutes

Not a traditional hike, but a Karijini hiking highlight. A short but steep path leads you to a sweeping gorge and the famous Spa Pool—an impossibly photogenic, bowl-shaped pool fed by a gentle waterfall.

Pro Tip: Arrive early for light filtering into the pool and fewer crowds.

When to Visit Karijini

Karijini’s climate is semi-arid, which means hot days and cool nights. The best time to visit is during the dry season (April to September), when temperatures are cooler, rain is minimal, and Karijini hiking trails are safest.

Seasonal Tips:

• April–August: Ideal Karijini hiking season; cool mornings and mild days.
  
• September–October: Still manageable, but gorges may begin drying up.
  
• November–March: Hot, often over 40°C. Risk of flash floods in gorges due to summer storms.

Rare Insight: Karijini is also an incredible place for stargazing. With almost no light pollution, the Milky Way stretches vividly overhead. Bring binoculars and a warm jacket.

Planning ahead? Read: Karijini in Winter – What to Expect.

What to Pack for Hiking in Karijini

Karijini’s terrain is unforgiving if you’re unprepared. The key? Pack light, smart, and sustainably for Karijini hiking tours.

Hiking Essentials:

• 3L hydration pack or multiple reusable water bottles
  
• Grippy, non-slip hiking shoes (wet trail shoes are recommended for Karijini)
  
• Water shoes or sandals for gorge hikes
  
• Sun protection: wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, reef-safe sunscreen
  
• Quick-dry towel and swimwear
  
• Lightweight first-aid kit
  
• Dry bag for electronics

Bonus Gear: Headlamp for early starts, trekking poles for Mount Bruce, and a spare battery bank.

Check out our full list: What to Pack for a Gorge Hike.

Guided Tours & Cultural Experiences

Joining a Karijini guided hike gives you more than just convenience—it gives you context.

At The Hike Collective, we offer small-group Karijini guided hiking tours that blend education, Indigenous storytelling, and expert navigation through this ancient land. Whether it’s a multi-day experience or a single-day gorge tour, our guides help you connect deeper with place, people, and purpose.

Cultural Connection: The Banjima people are the Traditional Custodians of Karijini. Some Karijini guided tours include Traditional Owner-led storytelling and cultural insight, giving hikers a rare and respectful glimpse into sacred knowledge.

Getting There & Where to Stay

Karijini’s remoteness is part of its magic—but it does require planning.

Getting There:

• Fly: Paraburdoo Airport is the closest hub (1.5 hrs drive from the park)
  
• Drive: From Perth, expect 15–17 hours drive. 4WD is recommended but not essential for most of the park’s highlights.

Accommodation:

• Karijini Eco Retreat: Glamping tents, cabins, and campsites. Solar-powered and eco-certified.
  
• Dales Gorge Campground: Located near Dales Gorge. Simple amenities, close to key Karijini hiking trails.

Respecting Country & Leaving No Trace

Karijini is more than a natural wonder—it’s a living cultural landscape. We acknowledge the Banjima people as the Traditional Custodians of this land, and we walk here with gratitude and responsibility.

Leave No Trace Guidelines:

• Stay on marked trails
  
• Pack out everything you bring in
  
• Swim respectfully in cultural waterholes
  
• Never climb over barriers or enter closed trails
  
• Avoid loud noise in gorges and at sacred sites like Fern Pool

Karijini Hiking Itineraries

Need help planning your time in the park? Here are two sample itineraries:

3-Day Karijini Adventure

• Day 1: Arrive via Paraburdoo, hike Kalamina Gorge + Joffre Gorge
  
• Day 2: Full-day: Weano Gorge + Handrail Pool + Mount Bruce (sunset)
  
• Day 3: Dales Gorge circuit, swim at Fern Pool before departure

5-Day Karijini Journey

• Includes all of the above, plus:
  
• Hamersley Gorge morning visit
  
• Time to rest and stargaze

Karijini Hiking FAQs

Is Karijini safe for beginner hikers?
Yes, with proper planning. Many Karijini hiking trails are accessible, but gorge hikes can be slippery and require confidence in wet, uneven terrain.

Can I hike Karijini without a 4WD?
Yes, but road conditions can vary. Stick to main roads and avoid wet-season travel.

Is swimming allowed in all gorges?
Most swimming spots are open year-round, but always check for signage. Some pools, like Fern Pool, have cultural significance—enter quietly and respectfully.

What’s the best time of day to hike?
Start early—sunrise light is spectacular, and temperatures are cooler.

Ready to Hike Karijini With Us?

There’s no place in the world like Karijini. Here, the silence is sacred, the earth is ancient, and every Karijini hiking tour is a chance to reconnect—with nature, with country, and with yourself.

Join us on a Karijini guided hiking experience and discover Karijini the way it was meant to be explored: with heart, humility, and adventure.

Book your Karijini Hike with The Hike Collective →