Length: 2km
Duration: 0.75hrs
Grade: 3
Style: Circuit
Start: Fortescue Falls Car Park
End: Fortescue Falls Car Park

Location: Karijini National Park
Closest Town:
Distance from CBD: 1500km
State: WA
Latitude: -22.475583
Longitude: 118.551517

Keep the Trail Access info current...

Click Edit to Modify

Edit Access Conditions

Select items to indicate conditions for access to the trail.

2WD Access

4WD Access

Public Transport

Bitumen Road

Gravel Road

Steep Road

Winding Road

Speed Bumps

Vehicle Ford

Entry Fee

Large Car Park

Small Car Park

Accessible Parking

Accessible Toilet

Public Toilets

Drinking Water

Untreated Water

Picnic Shelter

Picnic Table

BBQ Facilities

Campfire Pit

Camping Area

Keep the Trail Features current...

Click Edit to Modify

Edit Trail Features

Karijini National Park...

Select items to indicate features found along the trail.

Concrete Path

Timber Boardwalk

Gravel Path

Sandy Trail

Rough Trail

Undefined Trail

Prams & Strollers

Manual Wheelchair

Motorised Wheelchair

Bicycle Trail

Mountain Bike Trail

Historic Rail Trail

Dog Friendly

Urban Walk

Coast & Beach

Historic Lighthouse

Waterfalls & Lakes

Rainforest Walk

Goldfields & Mining

Heritage Walk

Aboriginal Art

Alpine Region

Alpine Huts

Exposed Ledges

Rock Scrambling

Steep Terrain

Bush Bashing

River Crossings

Scenic Viewpoints

Well Marked

Drinking Water

Untreated Water

Fishing Spots

Swimming Spots

Overnight Campsites

Trail Running

Horse Riding

Gorge Rim Walk is a 2km, grade 3 circuit hike, located in Karijini National Park, Western Australia. The hike should take approximately 0.75hrs to complete.

Hike Summary

The Gorge Rim Walk follows the rim of Dales Gorge, in Karijini National Park which is a bushwalker’s delight. The track goes between the vertigo inducing views of Circular Pool Lookout to the beginning of the Fortescue Falls track.

This walk offers spectacular views and is ideal for those who do not want to venture into the depths of Dales Gorge. For the more adventurous, the steep trail down to the gorge floor to the sublimely beautiful Circular Pool, with its fern lined crystal clear pool, trickling waterfall and sheer rock face backdrop, is well worth the effort. Walk from here to Fortescue Falls for a swim, traversing flat pavement like rocks, through glades of reeds, paperbarks and across shallow streams and pools. Negotiate the rocks above the falls and follow a shady trail to Fern Pool, another tranquil swimming waterhole of spiritual significance to the local indigenous people. Back at Fortescue Falls climb the steps back up the gorge to the Car Park. Other tail features include ochre grinding holes, the Pilbara savannah, the lush green riverside ecosystem and the stunning wildlife, including Birds, fish, bats, kangaroos and dingoes. The Gorge Rim walk is a two kilometre 1.5 hour return walk. The loop walk however contains three walks in one (follow the yellow, red and green markers) taking approximately four hours to walk the five kilometres. Beware as parts of the trail are located near cliff risk areas so stand well back as cliffs are about 100 metres high, often with loose rocks near the edge. Take care in the gorges as rocks are smooth and slippery when wet. Do not enter the gorges if there is rain in the area as flash floods occur. Karijini is a bushwalker's delight, so whilst in the area try the many other walks including Knox lookout, Knox Gorge, Joffre Lookout, Joffre Falls and Handrail Pool. Camping is available at Dales Campground. Access is via a sealed road. Caravan, Tent, Bus and Generator sites available. All sites are unpowered and bookings are not available. In peak season, June to Aug, it is receommended you arrive early to avoid disappointment. Camp hosts are on site during peak season. Facilities include toilets and BBQs. Washouts can occur during heavy rain, resulting in road closures. Check travel conditions with the Department of Parks and Wildlife (phone 08 9182 2000) or the Shire of Ashburton (phone 08 9189 1029)

About the region

Karijini National Park offers spectacular rugged scenery, ancient geological formations, a variety of arid-land ecosystems and a range of recreational experiences. Covering 627,422 hectares just north of the Tropic of Capricorn in the Hamersley Range, Karijini National Park is Western Australia’s second largest national park. Massive mountains and escarpments rise out of the flat valleys. The high plateau is dissected by breathtaking gorges, and stony, tree-lined watercourses wind their way over the dusty plain. Erosion has slowly carved this landscape out of rocks that are over 2,500 million years old. There are many beautiful gorges and sites to visit in Karijini National Park, but be sure to include Dales Gorge, Fortescue Falls, Weano Gorge and Oxers Lookout.

Getting there

Much of the southern half of the park is inaccessible. Visitors concentrate on the spectacular gorges in the north, with their rock pools, waterfalls and unique wildlife.

You can enter Karijini National Park from Tom Price, Roebourne, Port Hedland or Newman.

Be aware that distances travelled can add up quickly when touring this park. The nearest fuel is over 80km from Dales Campground at Munjina Roadhouse or Tom Price and around 70km from the Karijini Eco Retreat to Tom Price. A trip from Dales to Weano via the shortest route is about 112km return. Plan your visit carefully.