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Circular Pool Trail is closed until further notice due to rockfalls in the area.

To check the most current diversion, closure and realignment information please visit the Park Alerts website.”

The Circular Pool lookout is still open and you can descend into the gorge from the trail adjacent to the Three Ways Lookout and turn right at the bottom to walk through Dales Gorge and exit via the Fortescue Falls stairway.

Gorge Rim Walk and Dales Gorge Trail, Karijini NP Gorge Rim Walk and Dales Gorge Trail, Karijini NP

  • Half day
  • 5.1 km
    • Bush Walk Class 4

      Difficult trail with rough surface that may have very steep hills or extensive rock hopping. Directional signage may be limited. Bushwalking experience, navigation and emergency first aid skills, and good fitness required.

The Gorge Rim Walk and Dales Gorge Walk Trails create a 5.1km loop trail in the Karijini National Park.
The Gorge Rim Walk follows the rim of Dales Gorge all the way to Three Ways and Circular Pool Lookouts, before descending into the gorge.  From here follow the Dales Gorge Trail to Fortescue Falls and Fern Pool before climbing back up to the Fortescue Falls car park.

 

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Follow the rim of Dales Gorge from the Fortescue Falls car park all the way to the Circular Pool Lookout. White-barked snappy gums grow along the edge of the gorge and shady groves of native cypress shelter on the cliff face beneath the track. Enjoy the wonderful views deep into Dales Gorge.

Descend into the gorge near the Three Ways Lookout, turn left and follow the trail markers to Circular Pool where the water is icy cold all year round.

Retrace your steps and follow the creek-side trail, between towering, 100m high red rock cliffs and past shallow reedy pools, all the way to Fortescue Falls.

Allow time to swim in the pool and sit on the ampitheatre style, rock ledges where Fortescue Falls tumble into the pool below. 

Continue along the trail to the tranquility of Fern Pool and sit in the small cave behind the falls with the water cascading in front of you.

After another refreshing swim, follow the trail back to Fortescue Falls and up to the car park.

Tom Price Visitor Centre

(08) 9188 5488

Other Links

Be trail ready for Gorge Rim Walk and Dales Gorge Trail, Karijini NP

Here is everything you need to know before visiting this trail.

Time / Duration

Time varies depending on how many places you stop to swim

Length

5.1 km loop

What To Pack

Group B (Bushwalks and/or longer trails) required.

Trail Start

Fortescue Falls car park, Dales Gorge, Karijini National Park. 105km from Tom Price, which is 1500km (16 hours) north of Perth

Get directions

Trail End

Bush Walk

Class 4

Difficult trail with rough surface that may have very steep hills or extensive rock hopping. Directional signage may be limited. Bushwalking experience, navigation and emergency first aid skills, and good fitness required.

Visit Trail Tips for further information.

Difficulty Notes

The Gorge Rim Walk and Lookouts is a much easier walk for those not wanting or able, to descend into the gorge via the many steps

Hazards & Warnings

Stand back from edge of cliffs - Roads to Gorge may be closed after heavy rain. - Check conditions before travelling.

Facilities

Assisted wheelchair access to Circular Pool lookout.
  • BBQ Facilities
  • Camping
  • Car Park
  • Lookouts
  • Picnic Area
  • Public Toilet
  • Shop
  • Visitor Information Centre

Best time of year

May to September

Fees

National Park entrance fees apply

Trail Access

Self drive or local tour operator from Tom Price

Prohibited Items

No pets; No fires in National Parks
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2 trail goers have rated Gorge Rim Walk and Dales Gorge Trail, Karijini NP as 5 out of 5!

We love to hear from people who've been on our Western Australian trails, so it would be most appreciated it if you wanted to leave a review.

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Martin Hadley

Reviewed 10 Sep 2023, 10:35am

This is another walk I first did in the early 80's when it was tough going. It is so much easier now which I really appreciated on my last visit in 2022. Take this one slowly and stop to look around a lot. Don't get too focused on the high points of the walk and thereby miss the many almost as good points along the way. Wear good footwear, be careful and take water as you are in a remote hot area and you really don't want to force others to carry you out. Most importantly, don't leave rubbish and keep beautiful for all. In late 2022 the Circular pool section was closed due to a rockfall and risk of more. Nature is like that, things will break when they break but the rest of the walk is still fabulous.
Kim Fawcett

Reviewed 18 May 2019, 6:46pm

This is an amazing walk. Not particularly difficult. Except maybe the steps back up to the carpark. If you stop to swim in all three waterholes you can easily spend a day there. But make sure you take the time to take in your surroundings. The towering layered gorge walls that took millions of years to develop, the immense forces of nature that have pushed and curved the rocks into amazing shapes and patterns and the thunderous river that carved out the gorge itself. Sit at Fortesque Falls and just take it all in. Amazing! Oh and the water at Circular Pool is icy, but if you climb onto the ledge on the far side of the pool the water coming out of the fern covered rocks is wonderfully warm. Enjoy!

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