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, then you leave from Rotary Park, head east along the trail (bitumen to start) north of the river. Run 2.5km where you will cross a footbridge, and then find the turn around 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 trail head. I have altered it to take in a particulary 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 half way 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.

The first section you will also be aware the bike riders might cross the track – and at speed, but you will see them. The rest you will see bike riders but it is a shared track, or 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. Its 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 north for 3km, until you get to Lefthanders carpark – 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 I nice view of the ocean coming home. As with most trails along the ridge they are at their best with rain to firm 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 off the track a little to your left, but try to stay as right as possible. If you dont you are on private land (Karri Lodge), and also you will miss the next bit. Run behind the sheds, and along past the driving range. At the end you are turned 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 100m 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 along a rarely used 4WD track. You will 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 the some stunning Karri forest as well as 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 – thats 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 its easy navigation for sure. However I would not want to do this in winter or spring (unless I was wearing knee high gum boots). Some of this floods. I am sure the wild flowers are amazing.

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