Mount Frankland Summit and Caldyanup Trails

1 h to 2 h

2.2 km
circuit

↑ 112 m
↓ -112 m

Moderate track
Starting from the car park at the end of Mount Frankland Road, this walk takes you on a circuit past the Wilderness View Lookout, then up to the summit of Mount Frankland and down around the mountain via the Summit and Caldyanup Trails. Combining three short trails in Mount Frankland National Park, this walk follows an elevated metal walkway to the Wilderness View Lookout, then leads to the top of Mount Frankland via the bitumen Summit Trail before circling around the mountain via the Caldyanup Trail. Featuring exceptional views of the Walpole Wilderness as well as Mount Frankland itself, this short scenic walk immerses you in one of the best granite and karri areas in Australia's South West. The walk to the Wilderness View Lookout is only a few hundred meters from the car park, featuring a stainless steel walkway that follows the contour of a granite hill dominated by karri forest and a mossy rock face. ​It's a relatively short trip to the edge of the hill, where a viewing platform extends out above the trees, providing magnificent views of the forest below and the peaks far on the horizon. The Summit Trail starts with a gentle incline, following a bitumen path with plenty of little benches along its route. On either side of the path, the karri-dominated forest is lush and beautiful, with the track rising fairly quickly. The bitumen path eventually ends, leading to a series of concrete steps and metal ladders. The final ascent has some of the best views of the whole trail, and once you reach the summit you will encounter the Towerman's Lookout and be rewarded with spectacular 360° views of the surrounding landscape. Branching off from close to where the Summit Trail first reaches the granite dome on the way up, the Caldyanup Trail starts by skirting along the granite slope of Mount Frankland, following a stainless steel walkway that soon gives way to a natural surface with mostly rocky terrain. The trail continues to follow the dome as it descends, giving walkers a sense of this monolith's sheer size from multiple vantage points. It eventually loops back to join the Summit Trail at the picnic area, from where walkers can return via the same route to the car park. Mount Frankland has good facilities for a fairly remote park, including a large arrival shelter with maps and information about the geology and the walks in the area, as well as a picnic area that's equipped with gas barbecues and has picnic tables. The walk is largely well signed, with maps and interpretive panels mainly along the Summit Trail. Wheelchair access is available to the picnic area, toilet and Wilderness View Lookout. The ascent to the summit includes many steep concrete steps and a short ladder climb, requiring a reasonable level of fitness. The trail around the granite dome is challenging, with uneven surfaces and occasional natural obstacles. Walkers should consider the weather conditions before proceeding on this walk, as the granite surfaces can be slippery when wet. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
Map Notes Terrain Reviews Conditions More
Downloads GPX PDF

Some of the information and maps on this page was generated using data from the awesome © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Please see how you can embed some widgets, access data and other stuff to that might be helpful.