Margaret River Walk Trails

What these Margaret River Walk Trails have in common is that they are not too long. Many of the other trails on this site are a little long for walks, so these should fit the bill nicely. You can, of course, run them.

Park Run

This is a very pretty run, and very easy (unless you race, of course). If you want to try it outside of Park Run day, leave from Rotary Park and head east along the trail (bitumen to start) north of the river. Run 2.5km until you cross a footbridge, then find the turnaround point and run back to about 4km. Here you will turn left, down towards the river, across the weir, turn right and back to the Hairy Marron Coffee Shop

If you want longer, go longer; then the trail goes for about another 4km past the turn-around point. I have used most of this run on the Town Run.

The Chimney Trail (with smoke)

The Chimney Trail starts from the Carters Rd trailhead. I altered it to include a particularly nice part of the Wadandi track, so we miss just a little of the official Chimney Trail. I have also added 2km to make it 5km – but seriously – who gets out of bed for less than 5km. There are 5 bridges (but there should be an even number, right?)

I will not describe it in detail, but I will map it. I strongly advise you to walk the Chimney Trail section (the loop off the cigar) before you run it, to help with navigation (it is signed) and to appreciate the stunning scenery.

A short description of the run: Run north along the track that is west of the Wadandi until the gravel road, come halfway back along the Wadandi until the Chimney Trail almost meets it, do the Chimney loop clockwise, and then the rest of the way back along the Wadandi. The Chimney loop is quite technical.

In the first section, you will also be aware that bike riders might cross the track – and at speed- but you will see them. In the rest, you will see bike riders, but it is a shared track; on the Chimney, there should be no bike riders at all.

Ellenbrook to Lefthanders Loop

This run or walk is so obvious, and so pretty I am surprised it is not in the trail run hall of fame. It’s not easy, though. Drive down to the end of Ellenbrook Rd, but dont park at the homestead; instead, go right at the bottom and drive to where the surfers park.

The run is simplicity itself. On the Cape to Cape run, head north for 3 km until you get to Lefthanders car park – bitumen on 2 levels. Run down the stairs to the beach and back along the beach. Usually the sand is soft. You will be pushed off the edge (if the surf does not) by some rocks for a few hundred meters about 1km in, and I have seen the sand completely washed away at this point. But it is still OK.

Karri Lodge Loop

This is a pretty and scenic run – not too tough because we start at elevation. It has some technical stuff at the start, a bit of Karri, and a nice view of the ocean coming home. As with most trails along the ridge, they are at their best after rain, which firms them up.

Drive to Gracetown, and then to the top of town, along Langley Crescent, near the end of Walton Way. From here you can see two trails – the northern one is the one we will take out, and the southern one we will return on.

Run out and east for 1.9km and then turn right and up a hill. You will be pushed a little off the track to your left, but try to stay as far right as possible. If you dont you are on private land (Karri Lodge), and you will also miss the next bit. Run behind the sheds, and along past the driving range. At the end, you turn right and into a grove. Keep going 100m and then the track forks. Take the left (the right is a single track that will work, but might be overgrown a little), and after 100 m, take a right again and onto a 4WD track.

Run west, up and then down until the tee. Turn right and back to the start. You might be tempted to turn right along this part as it is the wider track, but just keep going straight.

Blackboy Hollow Loop

This one is a lollipop with a short stick and a square loop. For the run, we will do 2 loops (reversing), making it effectively an out-and-back. It is best done in winter or autumn to catch the firm trails.

Park at the end of Rainbow Cave Rd, which is off Caves Rd, and south of Wallcliffe Rd. Walk onto the Cape to Cape heading south, and through soft sand. Ignore the track on your right (to Gnarabup) and walk up a small steep hillock. You are now at the start of the run.

Run down the hillock, and past the C2C turnoff. You will quickly come to an intersection – the start of the loop. Take the left, and follow a rarely used 4WD track. Turn right and rejoin the C2C. You will come to another intersection, and now we will turn right, up a steep bit and through a gate.

Run down until you see a right – take it and back to the first intersection. Turn around and do the loop the other way, remembering to take the stick out – otherwise you will be caught in an infinite loop.

Walkers

Walkers will probably only want to do one loop (just over 3km all told) and might prefer to try the single track C2C we miss.

You might be tempted to do the longer square to the west of the western side of our loop. This is possible, but it is very chopped up, and getting a little overgrown.

Augusta Karri

This 5.5km rough walk or run features stunning Karri forest, along with a mix of other species. The forest is hidden behind the airstrip and old dump, and is quite hard to get to – unless you know the way in.

See the map to see where to park – perhaps on the Storm Bay lookout opposite the Sea Search and Rescue. Walk back along the road north to see the rough track in.

Walk in 100m – dont turn right – that’s the way back. Follow to 2km turn right then right at 2.9kmkm and basically run back turning left at about 3.9km (there is no other option I think).

So navigation is easy, for sure. However, I would not want to do this in winter or spring (unless I was wearing knee-high gumboots). Some of this floods. I am sure the wildflowers are amazing.

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