Starting from the Mount Bruce Carpark at the end of Mount Bruce Road off Karijini Drive, Karijini National Park, this walk takes you to the summit of Mount Bruce and back via the Mount Bruce Summit Trail. A lone and topographically prominent mountain, Mount Bruce is a major sight driving along Karijini Drive. Standing 1,234 metres above sea level, it is Western Australia's second tallest peak. This walk is not for the faint-hearted, alternating between relatively easy, gentle gradients and sections of difficult terrain requiring scrambling. There's a good mix of steps, walking over rolling hills, scrambling up rocky sections and rugged ridge walking. 500 metres into the walk is the Marandoo View, a viewpoint overlooking the nearby Marandoo Mine. From the Marandoo View lookout, the trail traverses over a series of small rolling hills, with Mount Bruce looming ahead in the distance. Even from these lower hills, the views are quite spectacular, with the mountains of the Hamersley Range stretching out in all directions. Before reaching any truly steep sections, the trail passes through a section of rectangular boulders that require some mild scrambling to get through. This rocky section doesn't last long before returning to fairly straightforward walking along the clearly defined walk track. The trail crosses one more rolling hill before beginning the first truly steep incline up Chinaman's Hat, with the trail running as a series of switchbacks up the mountain. As the track approaches a rock face, a chain bolted to the rock helps walkers along a narrow, exposed ledge. You'll need to scramble up a near-vertical climb after going up a narrow chute. Although it is close to vertical, the climb is actually a fairly straightforward scramble, as there are an abundance of hand and footholds all the way up the climb. Beyond the chute, there are a number of smaller scrambles before returning to a well-defined trail along the ridge connecting Chinaman's Hat to Mount Bruce itself. There are excellent views of Mount Bruce from the ridge, and although there are a few scrambles along the way, the walking is relatively easy. The final climb to the top of Mount Bruce follows a series of switchbacks through dense bush. The summit is marked by an impressively large cairn. Near the summit cairn, there is an informative plate identifying the many mountains surrounding Mount Bruce. Explore the summit and take in the beautiful panoramic views before making your way back down the mountain. Almost entirely downhill, the return journey is faster and easier than the walk-up. While the scrambling means this walk won't be for everybody, fans of adventurous mountain walks will find a lot to love about the Mount Bruce Summit Trail. The trail is generally clear and well defined, with sections on uneven, rocky and unmodified terrain. Some parts of the trail require a high level of fitness and experience, but this challenging walk will reward you with spectacular views of the landscape. Try not to climb in the middle of the day in summer as it can get pretty hot. Sturdy hiking boots are recommended. Be sure to take plenty of drinking water and sun protection. 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.
Warning This journey requires significant bushwalking experience, specialised equipment and navigation skills. Please ensure you and your group well prepared and equiped for this journey.
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.
Turn left onto Mt Bruce Access and drive for another 3.2 km
Keep left onto Mt Bruce Access and drive for another 125 m
Turn right onto Mt Bruce Access and drive for another 0 m
Getting started From the Mount Bruce Carpark at the end of Mount Bruce Road off Karijini Drive, Karijini National Park, head along the dirt trail near the toilet facilities. After a short distance, you'll come across two signs on either side of the trail - 'Walking at Mount Bruce - Punurrunha' and 'Mt Bruce... Fire and it's aftermath'. Follow the dirt trail ahead to continue the Mount Bruce Summit Trail.....
Turn map
Directions & comments
From the Mt Bruce Access Start (a vehicle track).
After another 4.7 km come to "Mount Bruce".
About 70 m past the end is "Mount Bruce".
Turn around here and retrace the main route for 4.7 km to get back to the start.
Mount Bruce Summit Trail
Grading
Class 5/6
Very challenging
Length
9.5 km
Time
4 h to 6 h
Quality of track
Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
Gradient
Very steep and difficult rock scrambles (5/6)
Signage
Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure
Limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) (4/6)
Experience Required
High level of bushwalking experience recommended (5/6)
Weather
Forecasted & unexpected severe weather likely to have an impact on your navigation and safety (5/6)
Mostly sunny morning. Slight chance of a shower during this afternoon and evening. The chance of a thunderstorm during this afternoon and evening, possibly severe. Winds southeast to southwesterly 20 to 30 km/h tending northeast to southeasterly 25 to 35 km/h in the morning then tending southeast to southwesterly 20 to 30 km/h in the late evening. Daytime maximum temperatures 41 to 46.
UV Alert: Sun protection 8:10am to 4:20pm, UV Index predicted to reach 14 [Extreme]
Tuesday 11 February
27°C → 41°C
Partly cloudy. 20% chance of rain
Partly cloudy. High chance of showers in the northeast, slight chance elsewhere. The chance of a thunderstorm. Winds southeast to southwesterly 25 to 35 km/h tending northeast to southeasterly 25 to 40 km/h in the middle of the day. Overnight temperatures falling to the mid to high 20s with daytime temperatures reaching 37 to 45.
Partly cloudy. High chance of showers in the east, slight chance elsewhere. The chance of a thunderstorm. Winds northeast to southeasterly 25 to 40 km/h. Damaging wind gusts exceeding 90 km/h possible depending on movement and development of Tropical Low. Overnight temperatures falling to 24 to 29 with daytime temperatures reaching 33 to 43.
Thursday 13 February
24°C → 35°C
Shower or two. 50% chance of rain 0 → 6mm
Partly cloudy. High chance of showers in the east, medium chance elsewhere. The chance of a thunderstorm. Winds east to southeasterly 35 to 50 km/h. Damaging wind gusts exceeding 90 km/h possible depending on movement and development of Tropical Low. Overnight temperatures falling to 23 to 29 with daytime temperatures reaching 31 to 42.
Friday 14 February
22°C → 34°C
Shower or two. 50% chance of rain 0 → 5mm