Watarrka Rim Walk is a 6km, grade 3 hike located in the Watarrka National Park, Northern Territory. The hike should take around 2.5 hrs to complete.
Hike overview
Watarrka National Park is best known for its famous landmark, Kings Canyon. The Watarrka Rim Walk is the most popular and takes you along the rim of the canyon itself. It's a three to four hour walk, six kilometres long, with a moderate rating. The most difficult part is the climb at the beginning of the walk which us a steep ascent to the top of the rim. The walk offers spectacular views over the canyon, passing through the tropical pools of the Garden of Eden. It is best to do the rim walk in the morning, however take care from September through April when daytime temperatures can be hot.
Route and GPX file
Max elevation: 762 m
Min elevation: 624 m
Total climbing: 250 m
Total descent: -249 m
Tips
Easier alternative Kings Creek walk. It's about two kilometres and an hour return. The Earnst Giles walk to Kathleen Springs also starts from the kings creek car park. This is a two day hike.
Trail location
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About the region
Watarrka National Park is only three hours’ drive from Uluru, and is home to the mighty Kings Canyon - a majestic destination featuring 300 metre high sandstone walls, palm-filled crevices, and views that stretch across the desert. Watarrka National Park includes the western end of the George Gill Range. This scenic landscape of rugged ranges, rockholes and gorges acts as a refuge for many plants and animals.
Kings Canyon is a highlight for visitors to Central Australia. The ancient red canyon walls soar 100m above Kings Creek to a plateau of rocky domes. The sheltered creek environments below protect an abundance of flora including the MacDonnell Ranges Cycad.
Kathleen Springs is located 21km by road from Kings Canyon. Here the relicts of old stockyards can be seen along the pleasant walk to the permanent waterhole. The full length of the path is paved, and accessible by wheelchair and pram. The waterhole holds special significance for the local Aboriginal people and is important for wildlife, so swimming is not permitted.
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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.