How long does Bluff Knoll Summit Trail take?

DBCA lists around 4.5 hours return for the 6.8km climb to the 1098m summit — our terrain data confirms this is a genuinely demanding effort, not an inflated estimate.

How hard is the Bluff Knoll Summit Trail?

Genuinely expert-grade. Our terrain data shows 84% of the track is steep or very steep, with the hardest single stretch a brutal 102m climb in under 300m. This is one of the most demanding day walks in WA's southwest.

Bluff Knoll Summit Trail: Complete Guide (Stirling Range)

Q: What is the highest peak in WA's southwest?

Bluff Knoll, at 1098m, is the highest peak in the Stirling Range and in WA's southwest — this well-signed but step-heavy Grade 4 track is the standard route to its summit.

Bluff Knoll Summit Trail is the real deal — a genuinely tough Grade 4 climb to the highest peak in WA’s southwest, and the terrain data backs up every bit of its expert rating.

Quick stats

Distance: 6.24 km return
Elevation gain: 767 m
Time: ~4.5 hours return (DBCA estimate)
Grade: Expert
Route type: Out and back
Location: Stirling Range National Park (Amelup), Great Southern, WA

How hard is it, really?

There’s no grade inflation here — our terrain data shows 84% of this track is steep or very steep, and the hardest single stretch is a genuinely brutal 102m climb packed into under 300m. Combined with 767m of total elevation gain over just 6.24km, this is one of the most demanding day walks in WA’s southwest. The official 4.5-hour DBCA estimate reflects real difficulty, not conservative padding — budget for it.

What the track is actually like

Climbing from the Bluff Knoll car park to the 1098m summit — the highest point in the Stirling Range and in WA’s southwest — this well-signed but step-heavy track earns its Grade 4 rating the whole way up. The reward is a summit view over the surrounding Stirling Range peaks and the wider Great Southern landscape, a genuine payoff for a genuinely hard climb.

Wildlife to watch for

The Stirling Range protects species found almost nowhere else, including a genuine range endemic and two of Australia’s most threatened black-cockatoos:

Fringed Mountain Bell — a Stirling Range endemic, found only in this range and nowhere else on Earth.
Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo — endangered (IUCN and EPBC-listed), one of WA’s most recognisable and threatened bird species.
Baudin’s Black-Cockatoo — critically endangered (IUCN, 2021 listing), among the most at-risk cockatoo species in the country.
Western Grey Kangaroo — not threatened, but a common and genuine sighting around the base of the range.

Practical tips

Take the 4.5-hour DBCA estimate seriously. This is not a padded number — the terrain genuinely demands it.
Start early. A climb this steep and exposed is best tackled before the heat of the day, especially in warmer months.
Watch for the black-cockatoos. Carnaby’s and Baudin’s are both genuinely rare sightings worth pausing for if you hear their distinctive calls overhead.
Proper footwear and fitness are non-negotiable. With 84% steep terrain, this isn’t a trail to underestimate.
Check conditions before you go. Wind and weather on an exposed summit like Bluff Knoll can change quickly.

Nearby

See the full Great Southern WA hikes list for more Stirling Range and Porongurup walks, or view Bluff Knoll Summit Trail on the map for the live route and elevation profile.