Hike at a glance
Hike length
Average duration
Trail Difficulty
Hike Type
Technical details
Max elevation: 314m
Min elevation: 119m
Total Ascent: 807m
Check current conditions
Track conditions, access and closures can change quickly due to weather, fire, maintenance or safety concerns. Always check the relevant land manager’s website before you visit. Trail Hiking Australia does not provide real-time track and closure monitoring, and land managers remain the authoritative source for current alerts, closures and access restrictions.
Trail details
Hike summary
Track difficulty
Steep, rough, and demanding
These are challenging walks suited to experienced hikers. Expect sustained climbs, rough and uneven terrain, and longer distances.
Tracks may be less defined, and signage can be limited, so navigation awareness is important. These walks require good fitness, confidence on difficult terrain, and the ability to manage fatigue over time.
Safety note: Fatigue, poor navigation, or a sudden weather change can turn a hard walk into a serious situation.
Planning essentials
Map and GPX file
Safety and preparation
Planning this hike?
Small oversights can compound quickly in Australian conditions. See how it happens in the Interactive Safety Scenarios. Then refer to the Hiking Safety Systems, planning calculators, and make sure a trusted contact has your trip plan before heading out.
Let someone know
Before you go, complete a trip intentions form and share it with a trusted contact. Agree on a Late-Back Time and ask them to call 000 (Police) if you have not checked in. A clear trip plan is one of the simplest and most effective safety steps you can take, and it only takes two minutes..
Planning something more serious? The comprehensive trip intentions form is designed for remote, overnight, and off-track trips where your emergency contact needs more detail. Register your advanced plans here →
Free checklists
Download the hiking preparation and safety checklists before leaving home to help you think through your plans. They help ensure important considerations are not overlooked and support safer decision-making on the trail.
Getting there
Need a rental car to get you to the hike? Find one here →
Accommodation nearby
Find hotels, cabins, and campgrounds near the trailhead. Click the button below to open an interactive map automatically centred on this hike's location — no searching required.
Or browse accommodation in nearby towns: Adelaide River, Barunga, Beswick, Daly Waters, Edith Falls, Jabiru, Jilkminggan, Katherine, Larrimah, Leliyn, Mataranka, Pine Creek
Discover more
About the region
Explore nearby hikes
Photo gallery
Do you have any photos from this hike?
Your photos can help others plan. Share shots from along the trail so fellow hikers know what to expect.
Share your photos here →
Weather on the trail
The map below shows the rain forecast for the trail area. Tap the toggle in the top right corner to explore other layers including wind, temperature, UV index, thunderstorms, fire danger, and weather warnings — all useful for planning a safe hike.
Trail Reviews
Notice something different about this trail?
Whether it’s a new feature, a route change, or a closure, share your update so we can keep our info accurate and helpful for fellow hikers.
Suggest an edit here →
Acknowledgement of Country
Trail Hiking Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we hike and pay respects to their Elders, past and present, and we acknowledge the First Nations people of other communities who may be here today.
5 Reviews on “The Jatbula Trail (62km)”
Ryan Wielgosz
My family and I had an awesome five days on the Jatbula. A couple of long and hot days but the walking isn’t difficult. It’s amazing to stop each afternoon at camp and swim in the cascades, creeks and waterfalls. Highly recommended.
What a fantastic experience. Absolutely loved swimming in the stunning waterfalls and rock pools at every campsite.
Me too next year fir me! It’s been in my list fir years now I have to next year I’m more than ready now!!?
Hi Alexandra, I have just uploaded mine to the site
Did this hike in June, was just beautiful, and hot. Being able to swim at every camp was fantastic. Only allowing 15 hikers through a day adds to its appeal.
Dani Campbell this is top of my list, I really really really want to do this one
Met a group last week at Leliyn top pools who’d just finished this awesome walk. They all said they’d do it again the next day.
Yes! Can’t wait to do this next year ???
Just completed this with my family. An excellent adventure
This is an excellent walk. You get to camp beside permanent water every day and there is plenty of Aboriginal art along the way. It’s one of our favourite walks in the Northern Territory.
This is for you Jatbula Hiker Opal!!! ?
This is my favourite hike in Australia. I would also hire a kayak and camp overnight in the upper parts of Katherine Gorge before starting the hike proper.
Book in on the 1st November ! Most places go to tour companies – or book with one of them. Would love to do it! Love this NP
what about this one. Peter McNamara Ben Wyatt only 5 days away.
Diane Ferreira like this page and we will find a hike to do
Lyn Harms