21st May 2025

Walking Through Dales Gorge – Our Day on the Loop

If you had just one day to experience Karijini National Park, we’d tell you to head straight to Dales Gorge Karijini.

Why? Because it’s got everything. Dramatic red cliffs, flowing waterfalls, ancient swimming holes, and a loop Karijini hiking trail that’s equal parts fun and soul-soothing. It’s Karijini in a nutshell—and if you’re new to Karijini gorge hiking, it’s one of the best introductions you can get.

We recently spent the day walking the Dales Gorge loop, soaking it all in, one red-dirt step at a time. Here’s what we saw, what we felt, and why we think this trail should be high on your Karijini hikes to-do list.

First Things First – Where is Dales Gorge?

Dales Gorge Karijini sits on the eastern side of Karijini National Park, near the Dales Campground and just a short drive from the Karijini Visitor Centre.

It’s one of the most accessible areas in the park:

Sealed roads all the way to the carpark
Facilities on-site (toilets, info signs, shaded areas)
And—bonus—there’s water, which not all Karijini hiking trails can claim year-round

If you’re staying at Karijini Eco Retreat, it’s about a 40-minute drive across the park. If you’re coming from Tom Price or Paraburdoo, it’s on the more convenient side for a half-day or full-day Karijini hike.

The Dales Gorge Loop at a Glance

Distance: ~2.5–3 km return (depending on your path)
Time: 2 to 3 hours at a relaxed pace (add extra for swimming)
Grade: Moderate (some steep sections, loose rock, and steps)
Trail Type: Loop (option to go clockwise or anti-clockwise)

Key Stops: Fortescue Falls Karijini, Fern Pool Karijini, Circular Pool (when open)

This is a Class 4 Karijini hiking trail: accessible for most people with moderate fitness and sturdy shoes. There’s a bit of scrambling, some steep staircases, and uneven ground—but no major exposure or water crossings.

Our Route: Clockwise or Anti-Clockwise?

We went anti-clockwise, starting from Fortescue Falls Karijini, and we’d absolutely recommend it for first-timers. It gives you a gentle descent into the gorge, a beautiful swimming stop early on, and the shady forested walk through the gorge base before climbing back out near Circular Pool Karijini.

Stop One: Fortescue Falls – The Red Rock Staircase

From the upper lookout, the view of Fortescue Falls Karijini is a show-stopper: water spilling over jagged, terraced red rock into a wide, cool pool surrounded by gum trees and sheer cliffs.

The descent is steep but stable, via a constructed staircase. It’s well worth pausing halfway down to take it all in—the colours, the layers of ancient rock, the sudden sense of scale.

At the base, we sat on a sun-warmed boulder and just listened. The falls aren’t thunderous, but they’re persistent—gentle and grounding.

Fun Fact: The rocks in Dales Gorge Karijini are part of the Hamersley Group, and are among the oldest exposed formations on Earth—some over 2.5 billion years old.

Stop Two: Fern Pool – A Sacred Swim

A short trail leads upstream from Fortescue Falls Karijini to Fern Pool Karijini, one of the most iconic and culturally significant spots in the park.

You’ll know you’re close when the light shifts and the sound of falling water deepens. Fern Pool Karijini is shaded by ghost gums and fig trees, with ferns draping the edges like green lace. It feels quiet—even if there are others around.

This is a sacred site for the Banjima people, and it’s important to enter the space with respect. That means no jumping, no loud voices, and no messing with the rocks or plant life. Just slip into the water slowly, soak it all in, and appreciate the privilege of being there.

Pro Tip: Bring a microfibre towel and change into swimmers before the descent—you’ll want to linger in this spot.

Stop Three: Walking the Gorge Floor

After Fern Pool Karijini, the trail winds down through the gorge itself—a shady corridor filled with river stones, layered cliffs, and pockets of green where you least expect them.

We loved this section. The temperature drops noticeably. There are wildflowers in spring, dragonflies hovering above still pools, and twisted trunks of gum trees rooted improbably into cracks in the rock.

It’s a slower, quieter part of the walk—and the perfect place to take a breath, refill your bottle, or just sit and look up.

Watch your step here—the trail crosses loose shale, small water runoffs, and uneven stone. But nothing too technical—just classic Karijini hiking terrain.

Stop Four: Circular Pool (Check Before You Go)

At the far end of the gorge sits Circular Pool Karijini—a deep, bowl-like oasis with vertical red walls and a cold, still pool fed by a trickling waterfall.

When open, it’s an unforgettable spot to end the loop, cool off, and pause before the final climb. But keep in mind:

Circular Pool Karijini has been periodically closed due to rockfall risk or to protect cultural values.
It’s best to check in advance with the rangers or the Parks and Wildlife WA website.

Even if it’s closed, you’ll still follow the trail upward along the cliff face, with views looking back through the gorge—a brilliant way to finish the loop.

What to Bring for the Dales Loop

While it’s one of the more accessible Karijini hiking trails, it still requires good prep. Here’s our go-to kit for the loop:

Grippy trail shoes (wet trail shoes recommended—the rocks are slick in places)
2L+ water (more if it’s warm)
Sunscreen and hat
Swimmers and towel
Dry bag for your gear
Snacks or a light lunch
Camera or phone (in a waterproof case—trust us)

Tip: Start early. Mornings are cooler, less crowded, and the light is beautiful inside the gorge.

Facilities & Access

Toilets at the Fortescue Falls Karijini carpark
Lookouts for non-hikers to enjoy views from above
Picnic tables and shaded shelters
Rangers often on site during peak Karijini hiking season (May–September)
Sealed road access from the main highway

Cultural Respect and Safety

Like all of Karijini National Park, Dales Gorge Karijini lies within the ancestral lands of the Banjima people. Hiking here is a privilege—and a chance to walk in quiet connection with Country.

Please:

Stay on the marked Karijini hiking trail
Enter Fern Pool Karijini with silence and respect
Don’t climb cliffs or off-trail rock faces
Pack out all your rubbish—leave it better than you found it
And always check trail conditions at the Visitor Centre or with park staff before setting out.

Why We Love It

Dales Gorge Karijini is Karijini’s gentle giant. It’s the Karijini hike that welcomes first-timers, rewards return visitors, and delivers beauty in every season.

It’s the sound of water where you didn’t expect it. The shift in temperature as you descend into the Earth. The red walls glowing at golden hour. And that moment when your body cools and your heart slows, floating in a gorge that’s older than memory.

Ready to walk it yourself?

Join The Hike Collective for a guided Karijini hiking tour that takes you through Dales Gorge Karijini and beyond, with stories, safety, and a crew that hikes with heart.
Explore our upcoming tours →