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Length: 19.5km
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Duration: 3 Days
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Grade: 5
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Style: One Way
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Start: Ellen Peak or Bluff Knoll
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End: Ellen Peak or Bluff Knoll
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Location: Stirling Range National Park
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Closest Town: Mount Barker
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Distance from CBD: 337km
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State: WA
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Latitude: -34.367767
Longitude: 118.24217
Keep the Trail Access info current...

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...

Stirling Range 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
Hike Summary
The Stirling Ridge walk follows an ill defined trail over the spectacular mountain peaks between Bluff Knoll and Ellen's Peak. Most walkers take three days to complete the walk, allowing themselves time to appreciate the natural beauty of this unique environment. Hikers should have good navigation skills and be prepared for steep rock and severe weather.
The Stirling Range Ridge Walk (SRRW) is the only sub-alpine walk in WA. It is more of a climb than a walk. The SRRW is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular and rewarding walks in WA but it is also the most dangerous and the most difficult one. It is rated the hardest walk in the State, and rated in the top 6 most difficult walks in Australia.
The walk along the ridge crosses the 1012 metre high Ellen Peak, passes below the southern cliff on Pyungoorup Peak, over Baker's Knob, over Third Arrow, over Second Arrow, over First Arrow, across Isongerup, and on to Moongoongoonderup, then down and up again on to St James Peak and over the top of the 1073 metre high Bluff Knoll. It starts (or finishes, depending on which way you go) at the northern boundary of the Stirling Range National Park at about the 250 metre mark, or the Bluff Knoll car park at about 550 metres.
The passes between some of these mountains drop to somewhere about 600 to 800 metres. And the route does not run straight up or straight down or straight anywhere - it varies significantly from the straight line in all dimensions - up and down left and right .It is not quite a corkscrew, but sometimes feels like it as you scramble up one steep slope to be confronted by a 90 degree course change and step descent.
When to Hike
The best time of year to hike the Stirling Range Ridge Walk is late Spring and early Autumn. But if you have your pick, Spring offers the opportunity to enjoy the wildflowers.
Direction
You have the option of starting the walk at either Ellen Peak or Bluff Knoll. I recommend Bluff Knoll as your starting point. You have a steep climb to get on the ridge, and it's easiest at the Bluff Knoll end where there is a set trail.
Exit Points
Apart from the starting points at Bluff Knoll and Ellen's peak, the two other points at which the ridge walk can be exited are from First Arrow down to the North Mirlpunda track, and from the Moongoongoonderup ridge down to the North Isongerup track. Neither of these are easy escape routes, but they are the only ones that should be considered.
Getting there
Stirling Range National Park is located in the Great Southern region of Western Australia, approximately 337 km south-east of Perth. Stirling Range Retreat provide a shuttle service. They can also provide info about the walk.
Tips
- There is no managed route, camping ground or toilet facilities so you need to take responsibility for your own safety and show respect for the environment you are visiting.
- Competency with navigation and navigation equipment is essential and knowledge of basic first aid is highly advisable.
- Try to minimise your impact on the landscape and take all your rubbish home with you (including food scraps).
- There is no reliable water source on the ridge, so you will need to take enough water for three days.
- Campsites are limited and weather is unpredictable.
- The trail can be hard to follow and emergency exits difficult to locate
Contributed by Daniel Etherington
GPX File
Max elevation: 1054 m
Min elevation: 262 m
Total climbing: 1774 m
Total descent: -1963 m
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Angad Singh