Starting from the Walshs Pyramid Carpark off Bruce Highway, Aloomba, this walk takes you to the summit of Walshs Pyramid and back via a singular track, exploring the eucalypt forests of Wooroonooran National Park. This iconic peak is actually the highest free standing natural pyramid on earth, standing 922 metres tall. You’ll surely be dazzled at the top: either by the astonishing views all over Cairns and the Coral Sea, or the relentless sun getting to you along with the physical toll of the climb. Jokes aside, you really need to prepare well for this journey. Bring lots of water(3lt+ per person) and some snacks. Wear a hat, put on sunscreen and start the walk early to minimize the effect of the sun. Hiking poles and good trekking shoes may reduce the said physical toll. By the way, if you’re crazy enough you can participate in ‘The Great Pyramid Race’ that takes place every August, where contestants try to be the first to run up and down the mountain for a cash prize. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
Warning This journey requires significant bushwalking experience, specialised equipment and navigation skills. Please ensure you and your group well prepared and equiped for this journey.
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.
Getting started From the Walshs Pyramid Carpark(450 metres southeast of Bruce Highway), head towards the “Welcome to Walshs Pyramid” trailhead signpost along the car park. Follow the signage and join the walking track as it leads you uphill and into the woodland, passing under the powerlines above. Stay on the track as you get deeper into the woodland to continue along Walshs Pyramid Track.....
Turn map
Directions & comments
Start.
After 3 km pass the "Walshs Pyramid" (25 m on your left).
Continue another 25 m to find the end. Then turn around here and retrace the main route for 3.1 km to get back to the start.
Walshs Pyramid Track
Grading
Class 5/6
Very challenging
Length
6.1 km
Time
3 h 30 min to 4 h 30 min
Quality of track
Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
Gradient
Very steep and difficult rock scrambles (5/6)
Signage
Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure
Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required
Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6)
Weather
Weather generally has little impact on safety (2/6)
Weather Forecast
Saturday 21 December
Shower or two. Possible storm.
Cloudy. High chance of rain. The chance of a thunderstorm, possibly severe. Light winds.
Sunday 22 December
22°C → 30°C
Showers. Possible storm. 90% chance of rain 6 → 45mm
Partly cloudy. High chance of showers, most likely in the late morning and afternoon. The chance of a thunderstorm, possibly severe. Light winds. Overnight temperatures falling to the low to mid 20s with daytime temperatures reaching 27 to 33.
Fire Danger Rating: No Rating
UV Alert: Sun protection 8:10am to 4:20pm, UV Index predicted to reach 14 [Extreme]
Monday 23 December
22°C → 32°C
Shower or two. 50% chance of rain 0 → 5mm
Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the late morning and afternoon. The chance of a thunderstorm. Light winds. Overnight temperatures falling to between 19 and 24 with daytime temperatures reaching the low to mid 30s.
Tuesday 24 December
20°C → 36°C
Mostly sunny. 10% chance of rain
Mostly sunny. Slight chance of a shower in the north, near zero chance elsewhere. The chance of a thunderstorm in the north. Light winds. Overnight temperatures falling to between 19 and 23 with daytime temperatures reaching the low to high 30s.
Wednesday 25 December
21°C → 34°C
Sunny. 10% chance of rain
Mostly sunny. Slight chance of a shower along the coastal fringe in the evening. Near zero chance of rain elsewhere. Light winds becoming easterly 15 to 25 km/h during the day. Overnight temperatures falling to the low 20s with daytime temperatures reaching the low to mid 30s.
Thursday 26 December
22°C → 31°C
Possible shower. 40% chance of rain 0 → 1mm
Temporary partial closure: Goldfield trail from the Babinda Boulders to Mulgrave River camping area, Wooroonooran National Park (update 20 Dec) Due to a severe landslip caused by ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper, a section of the Goldfield trail is currently closed. Please see below for details: Affected parks: Wooroonooran National Park; Goldsborough Valley, Wooroonooran National Park; Goldfield trail, Wooroonooran National Park Temporary camping areas and walking track closures: Goldsborough Valley and Goldfield Trail, Wooroonooran National Park (update) Goldsborough Valley Bora Ground camping area, Goldsborough Valley camping area and Mulgrave River (Goldfield Trail) camping area and walking track will be closed from Monday 13 January to Thursday 16 January 2025 (dates inclusive). Affected parks: Wooroonooran National Park; Goldsborough Valley, Wooroonooran National Park; Goldfield trail, Wooroonooran National Park Safety advice: heavy rain impacts Josephine Creek and Falls, Wooroonooran National Park Visitors are advised that Josephine Creek at Josephine Falls in Wooroonooran National Park is closed until further notice. Heavy rain has resulted in fast flowing, high water levels in Josephine Creek. Further rain is expected. Water levels can change rapidly in Josephine Creek. For your safety, do not enter the water. The walking track and viewing platforms can still be accessed but the creek is closed. Affected parks: Wooroonooran National Park; Josephine Falls, Wooroonooran National Park Temporary closure: Bartle Frere access road (western trailhead) and Junction camp, Wooroonooran National Park (update 5 Dec) The Bartle Frere access road at the western trailhead, and Junction camp are closed due to wet conditions. During this period, visitors can still access the Bartle Frere western trailhead by parking at Windin Falls car park off Gourka Road and walking in from this location. Affected parks: Wooroonooran National Park; Bartle Frere trail, Wooroonooran National Park Wet season safety information - significant stream rises: Wooroonooran National Park During the North Queensland wet season local heavy rainfall may cause significant stream rises throughout Wooroonooran National Park. During and after heavy rain, creek conditions change and become dangerous. Fast flowing, rapidly rising water, with strong currents, occurs. Affected parks: Wooroonooran National Park; Bartle Frere trail, Wooroonooran National Park; Goldfield trail, Wooroonooran National Park; Goldsborough Valley, Wooroonooran National Park; Josephine Falls, Wooroonooran National Park; Palmerston (Doongan), Wooroonooran National Park Visitor facilities update, Misty Mountains road and track network, Wooroonooran National Park (update 29 Nov) Please see below update on the status of visitor facilities within the Misty Mountains road and track network in Wooroonooran National Park: Affected parks: Palmerston (Doongan), Wooroonooran National Park; Tully Gorge National Park; Wooroonooran National Park; Misty Mountains wilderness tracks Camping area water supply update: Goldsborough Valley section, Wooroonooran National Park (update) Visitors are advised there is currently no water available from the taps in the camping and day-use areas within the Goldsborough Valley section of Wooroonooran National Park. Water is available at both toilet blocks, however it is not suitable for consumption and visitors should bring their own drinking water. Affected parks: Wooroonooran National Park; Goldsborough Valley, Wooroonooran National Park Temporary walking track closure: Wallicher Falls, Wooroonooran National Park (update 8 Jul) Following the impacts of ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper, Wallicher Falls walking track is closed until further notice. Affected parks: Palmerston (Doongan), Wooroonooran National Park; Wooroonooran National Park Access advice: No access to Cochable Creek camping and day-use area and Misty Mountains wilderness tracks from Cochable Creek access road: Tully Gorge National Park (update 21 Jun) The Cochable Creek camping and day-use area access road (H-Road) has been closed. Cassowary Coast Regional Council have closed the H-Road at its entrance point near the Tully River bridge due to safety concerns of a bridge structure along H-Road. Affected parks: Wooroonooran National Park; Tully section, Tully Gorge National Park; Misty Mountains wilderness tracks; Tully Gorge National Park
Bushwalk
3 h 30 min to 4 h 30 min
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After 3 km pass the "Walshs Pyramid" (25 m on your left).
