If you’re looking for a fun and challenging hike with the most rewarding views at the end, you need to add Granite Skywalk at Castle Rock in Porongurup National Park to your bucket list.
Expect a lovely walk through forest, a fun challenge at the end and incredible 360° views over farmland, forests and the Stirling Ranges.
In this guide to hiking Granite Skywalk, we’ll cover everything you need to know before you go, from all the trail details, what to expect along the way, safety tips, and nearby attractions that are worth adding to the list.
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FAQ about Granite Skywalk:
Where is Granite Skywalk, Castle Rock located?
Granite Skywalk, Castle Rock is located within Porongurup National Park in the Great Southern region. It’s about 40 minutes north of Albany and 4.5 hours south of Perth by car.
How long does it take to hike Granite Skywalk, Castle Rock?
The hike is a 4.4 km return trail and we’d recommend setting 1.5-3 hours aside depending on your level of fitness and how much time you spend taking in the views at the top.
When is the best time to hike Granite Skywalk, Castle Rock?
This hike can be done year-round but we’d recommend spring (September-November) or autumn (March-May) for milder temperatures.
If visiting during summer (December-February) we’d recommend starting this hike early in the morning as it will get very hot around midday.
A clear and crisp winter day would make a lovely hiking day too but be mindful about hiking after heavy rain as parts of the trail can get very slippery.
Is it free to visit Granite Skywalk, Castle Rock?
No, there is a fee to get into the national park ($17 per vehicle) that can be purchased from the carpark or you can purchase a park pass online and print before your trip.
Is Granite Skywalk, Castle Rock kids friendly?
Yes! We’d say most kids are able to do this hike if they can walk independently.
We saw lots of families with young kids around the age of 5-6+ years and they were having a blast.
It’s not suitable for prams though as parts of the trail include steps, rock scrambling and climbing up a ladder. We’d only recommend it for families with kids that are able to walk independently or that are prepared to carry their child.
Can I bring my dog to Granite Skywalk, Castle Rock?
No, dogs are not permitted in National Parks in Western Australia to protect native wildlife.
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Everything you need to know:
Trail overview:
Trail length: 4.4 km return
Difficulty: Moderate-challenging
Elevation gain: About 274 m
Time: 1.5–3 hours return
Start point: Castle Rock picnic area car park
Facilities: Toilets and picnic tables available before the trail starts
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What to expect on the trail:
It’s a well marked path along the whole way with gradual inclines and some steps along the way.
For the majority of the walk you’ll walk through a shaded forest until the final stretch that changes into an open rocky area.
The last part of the trail is also where it becomes most challenging and where you’ll need to climb over big rocks using the handles that have been placed there for assistance.
Once you get past the rock scrambling, you’ll then need to climb up an enclosed ladder to get onto the skywalk.
This is where you’ll be rewarded with the most incredible views and it’ll make all the effort worth it.
What to bring:
- Comfortable hiking shoes with good grip, especially if you are visiting in winter or fall as it can get slippery if wet or if there are leaves on the ground.
- Clothes that are comfortable to move around in. Tight jeans, dresses and skirts are not ideal to climb over the rocks in.
- Plenty of water.
- Snacks to enjoy along the way or a lunch to eat after the hike in the picnic area near the carpark.
- Hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
- A light jacket or jumper as it can get quite windy at the top.
- Camera to capture those incredible views.
Safety tips and things to know:
The hike can be quite challenging in itself but it is definitely doable for most people with a basic level of fitness. Make sure to take your time and take plenty of breaks if needed, there’s no need to rush or feel pressured by people behind you/in front of you. There’s plenty of room for everyone to get around at a pace that suits them best.
The climb over the rocks and up the ladder can feel a little intimidating, make sure you take your time here too and be considerate of other people going down or up as you will need to take turns here.
Always ensure you have 3 points of contact when climbing the ladder for best safety practice.
Be extra careful if you are doing the hike after rainfall as the rocks and the ground can get slippery if wet, muddy or covered in leaves.
Mobile reception here is limited in most parts of the hike (we are with Optus so could possibly be different if you are with a different provider), so keep that in mind before you venture out.
There’s a $17 entry fee per vehicle to get into the national park which you can pay from the parking lot or purchase a park pass online before your trip. You will need to print out the park pass beforehand as it needs to be displayed in the window.
There are no bins along the way, so please hold on to your rubbish and use the bins provided at the start of the trail.
We encourage you to follow the Leave No Trace principles and help us look after these incredible places so everyone can continue to enjoy them for a long time to come.
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Nearby attractions:
There are so many incredible spots around the Great Southern region and it’s worth spending a few days exploring this part of Western Australia.
Some of our all time favourite places in the region:
- Albany – a must visit if you love beaches, incredible coastline, an interesting history and great food and wines.
- Stirling Range National Park – if you are after an even bigger challenge, this is where you’ll find the famous Bluff Knoll. This is a big hike though and is not for everyone.
- Mount Barker – some of the best wineries in the region are found here.
- Denmark – incredible beaches, wineries and home to the iconic Greens Pool and Elephant Rocks.
- Walpole – mostly known for the famous Valley of the Giants Treetop Walk.
- Bremer Bay – a coastal gem located between Albany and Esperance and known for its beautiful beaches and whale watching opportunities, especially killer whales.
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Our tips:
Bring a small backpack for your water and snacks, you’ll need both hands free to be able to climb over the rocks and up the ladder.
Avoid wearing skirts and dresses and wear something you are comfortable to move around in and something you don’t mind getting a bit dirty.
Make sure you have a jumper or windbreaker for the top.
Go midweek or early in the day to avoid the crowds and heat.
Stay hydrated and remember sunscreen.
Most importantly, enjoy the hike and the beautiful scenery and don’t forget to reward yourself with a wine tasting at the nearby winery in Mount Barker!
Final words:
Granite Skywalk, Castle Rock is one of our personal favourite hikes we have done so far in Western Australia.
It’s a great combination of a leisurely walk amongst beautiful karri and marri trees, a challenge of climbing over rocks and conquering the ladder climb and then being rewarded with the most epic views of the area.
If you love nature, hiking and amazing views this is your sign to add Granite Skywalk, Castle Rock to your Great Southern itinerary!
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