A hikers dream made of granite

betterthanhome (70)in GEMS • 5 years ago

I´m not done yet with praising the australian state of Western Australia. I´ve got another highlight from our past journeys through the rough, but beautiful region of south-west western australia. Some of my photos were "lost" for some time but just recently I was able to recover some of them and since that I´m dreaming of Western Australia

This time I show you a dream made of granit for every hiker, the Porongurup Nationalpark. This Nationalpark is ideal for bushwalks with breathtaking views of the surrounding plain and the Karri Trees a local eucalyptus tree which only grows here and in similar regions.

The Nationalpark is nort-east of Denmark, where we stopped before to have a swim in the Greenspools and the nearest town is Mount Barker. Coming from Mount Barker you will have the breathtaking Stirling Ranges on you left hand side and can already get an first impressions what awaits you there.

The south-west of WA is pretty rough, like most of the parts of WA. The vegetation is so different to states like Queensland for example. No green lush fields or palm trees, but many eucalyptus trees, red sand and dirt roads instead of sealed roads. It´s definitely a totally different experience. Although this is still considered a populated area you will hardly see any other cars passing you on your way.

But one thing is for sure, it´s very picturesque.

It´s best to start the walk from the Castle Rock picnic area from where it is a 4.4km return walk to the Granite Skywalk. Yes you heard right, at the top of this 670m high Nationalpark there is a man made skywalk from where you have the best 360 degree view.

The first kilometer leads in serpentines through a forest of Yate, Jarrah, Marri and Karri trees. Like on any other walks in western australia you should try to start early as it can get pretty hot. The complete walk will take you about 2 hours, so make sure to bring enough hwater as well.

If you like to climb on rocks and crawl through tight crevice this walk is definitely for you. We could not get far in the first 30 mins as I had to climb on every single boulder. Now I knew why this place is so popular among rock climbers. You literally can´t resist, believe me.

The Balancing Rocks is a must see on the way up. At first I was a bit sceptical to get closer to the rock. I mean this thing weighs a few tones and if it rolls over me it was the last hike of my life. But as a photo motif it is just too good to skip it.

The balancing rocks of Porongurup Range are giant sculptures shaped by natural forces. The Range started as a huge bubble of molten granite that hardened deep below the earth´s surface.

As overlying rock wore away, the release of pressure and changes temperature caused the granite mass to crack, usually in straight lines that are called joints.

In a process that is ongoing, rain seeps into the joints, dissolving and washing away molecules of granite, causing the cracks to widen slowly.

The surface slowly weathers and flakes, gradually sculpting the blocks of granite into smaller and smaller rounded shapes.

As you get closer to the top the views get better. The view is really fantastic and the always green areas of karri trees that lie between the rocks make for great landscape shots.

Unfortunately I still haven´t recovered the photos from the skywalk, but even without going up there you will have unforgettable memories.