Hike at a Glance

Australia > Western Australia > Purnululu National Park

Quick overview: Experience the breathtaking Northern Escarpment Trail, a moderate 7.5km return hike nestled between Echidna Chasm and Bloodwoods carparks. This trail delights with flat terrain, captivating views of the Escarpment, and striking landmarks like the Mini Palms Gorge. Close to the main town, it's perfect for bushwalkers seeking a unique adventure filled with quintessential Australian landscapes. Don't forget to stop at the Homestead Valley Trail for an added exploration bonus.

Length:

7.5km

Duration:

2.5 hrs

Grade:

Style:

Return

Max elevation: 305m

Min elevation: 273m

Total Ascent: 166m

Start: Bloodwood carpark

End: Bloodwood carpark

Purnululu National Park

Western Australia

Nearby town: Halls Creek

From state capital: 2,890km

Latitude: -17.33479029

Longitude: 128.38439582294382

8 Reviews

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Essential information

Temperatures within the park and on the walk trails can reach 40°C (104°F) and radiant heat can increase the temperature to over 50°C (122°F).¯ As a minimum carry and drink 1 litre of water per hour of walking, per person, even in the winter months.

Hike overview

The Northern Escarpment Trail links the Echidna Chasm and Bloodwoods carkparks, taking a route along the base of the escarpment. The trail between the two carparks is 3.75 kilometres along reasonably flat surfaces. The return hike is 7.5km.

The Northern Escarpment Trail provides you with an opportunity to explore the Escarpment, Echidna Chasm, Mini Palms Trail and Homestead Valley Trail (Homestead Gorge) from one trail head by parking at either Bloodwoods carkpark or Echidna Chasm carpark.

The Mini Palms Trail turnoff to Mini Palms Gorge turnoff is approximately 1km from the Bloodwoods carpark and 2.6kms from the Echidna Chasm carpark

Track grade

Grade 3 (Moderate) - Walks for Most Fitness Levels: Grade 3 on the AWTGS represents moderate walking tracks. These are ideal for walkers with some fitness who are comfortable with some hills and uneven terrain. While suitable for most ages, some bushwalking experience is recommended to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Tracks may have short, steep hill sections, a rough surface, and many steps. The total distance of a Grade 3 walk can be up to 20 kilometers.

Walk map and GPX file
Northern Escarpment Trail Walk (7.5km)

Total distance: 7478 m
Max elevation: 305 m
Min elevation: 273 m
Total climbing: 166 m
Total descent: -166 m

GPX files, maps and content are copyright Trail Hiking Australia. Not to be copied, redistributed or uploaded to other platforms including AllTrails.

Explore safely

Planning this hike? Most incidents develop before you even start. Safe outcomes depend on how navigation, hydration, environment, load and judgement work together. Small oversights can compound quickly in Australian conditions. See how it happens in the Hiking Safety Systems Foundations. Then use the Hiking Safety Systems, planning calculators, and make sure a trusted contact has your trip plan before heading out.

Leave a trip plan

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.

Planning 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

Getting to the trailhead: Purnululu National Park.

The Bloodwoods is one of the starting points for Mini Palms Trail, Homestead Valley Trail, and the southern end of the Escarpment Trail. There are toilets, shaded picnic areas and the Bloodwoods Lookout. Bloodwoods parking area is 19km from the visitor centre. The Bloodwoods car park is located within the Purnululu National Park, approximately 230km (3 hours) south of Kununurra and 2,890km (30 hours) north of Perth.

Access to the park by road is via Spring Creek Track, from the Great Northern Highway approximately 250 km south of Kununurra, to the track’s end at the Purnululu National Park Visitor Centre. The track is 53 km long and is usable only in the dry season (April 1 to December 31), and only by four-wheel-drive (4WD) high clearance vehicles and off-road trailers. Safely navigating it takes approximately three hours. From the Purnululu National Park Visitor Centre, the road T-junctions at Gorge Road from where you can head either into the northern section, anchored by Echidna Chasm, or the southern section, with Piccaninny and Cathedral gorges.

Need a rental car to get you to the hike? Find one here.

Get there with Google Maps

Accommodation nearby

Find Accommodation

Find accommodation close to the trailhead including hotels, cabins, and campgrounds. Use the interactive map to explore available options in nearby towns.

Nearby towns: Balgo, Billiluna, Fitzroy Crossing, Halls Creek, Kununurra, Marble Bar, Turkey Creek, Warmun, Wyndham

About the region

The Bungle Bungle Range in Purnululu National Park is one of the most striking geological landmarks in Western Australia, offering a remote wilderness experience. Purnululu attracts visitors for a whole range of reasons; the sheer grandeur of the sandstone massif, watching it change to a golden colour late in the day, walking through some of the marvellous gorges and for the really well-prepared, a walk along Piccaninny Creek for an overnight camping experience.

Other walks include the Echidna Chasm Trail, Mini Palms Gorge Trail, the walk to Kungkalanayi Lookout, Cathedral Gorge, the Domes Walk, Homestead Valley Trail, Piccaninny Creek Lookout, Whip Snake Gorge and the Northern Escarpment Trail.

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Trail Features (select all that apply)Aboriginal ArtAlpine HutsAlpine RegionBeach & CoastalBicycle TrailConcrete PathDog FriendlyDrinking WaterExposed LedgesFishing SpotsGoldfields & MiningGorgesGravel PathHeritageHorse RidingLakesLighthouseManual WheelchairMotorised WheelchairMountain Bike TrailOff TrailOvernight CampsitesPrams & StrollersRail TrailRainforestRiver CrossingsRiversRock ScramblingRough TrailSandy TrailScenic ViewpointsSteep TerrainSwimming SpotsTimber BoardwalkTrail RunningUndefined TrailUntreated WaterUrbanWaterfallsWell Marked Trail

Access Conditions (select all that apply)2WD Access4WD AccessAccessible ParkingAccessible ToiletBBQ FacilitiesBitumen RoadCampfire PitCamping AreaDrinking WaterEntry FeeGravel RoadLarge Car ParkPicnic ShelterPicnic TablePublic ToiletsPublic TransportSmall Car ParkSpeed BumpsSteep RoadUntreated WaterVehicle FordWinding Road

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Reviews
Northern Escarpment Trail Walk (7.5km)

8 Reviews on “Northern Escarpment Trail Walk (7.5km)”

Overall rating

Mel White

Kara next year !!!!!!

06/07/2024, 09:19

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Acknowledgement of Country

Northern escarpment trail walk (7. 5km) trail hiking australia

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.

Curated by: Darren Edwards | Trail Hiking Australia

Last modified:

February 25, 2025

Hike at a Glance

Essential information

Hike overview

Track grade

Walk map and GPX file
Northern Escarpment Trail Walk (7.5km)

Northern Escarpment Trail Walk (7.5km)

Explore safely

Leave a trip plan

Planning checklists

Getting there

Accommodation nearby

About the region

Similar walks nearby

Kurrajong Trail Walk (1km)

Kungkalanayi Lookout Trail Walk (1km)

Piccaninny Creek Lookout Walk (3km)

The Domes Walk (1.5km)

Gallery

Suggest an edit

Reviews
Northern Escarpment Trail Walk (7.5km)

Northern Escarpment Trail Walk (7.5km)

8 Reviews on “Northern Escarpment Trail Walk (7.5km)”

Leave a Review. Cancel reply

Acknowledgement of Country

Curated by: Darren Edwards | Trail Hiking Australia

Last modified:

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