Walyunga National Park - Echidna Trail

The stats

• Distance - 10.5km circuit (although we probably did closer to 12km)
• Grade - classed as 'medium' to 'hard'
• Estimated time to complete - 4 hours
• Actual time - close to 4hrs but we did get lost to begin with and stopped for a lunch break
• Resources - Paul Amyes' book: Perth's Best Bush, Coast & City Walks
• Cost - $11 national park entry fee

The verdict

Public holiday Monday and fresh off our successful first training walk three days earlier, my walking companions and I decided to up the ante and go on a slightly longer and more challenging walk.  Our target today was the Echidna Trail - the longest circuit walk within Walyunga National Park in the Swan Valley.

First problem was the extraordinarily poor signage at the start of the walk.  We parked the car and looked in vain for a sign detailing the starting point and/or the correct trail marker.  After following the incorrect trail for a while and backtracking (and passing the same family three times at which point they thought we were totally bonkers), we finally got onto the correct trail.  It did add an extra ~1.4km to our walk and we lost time but once on the trail the markers were reasonably easy to follow.  I'm so glad we had our guide book!

The track was rougher (loose gravel and quite deeply corrugated in places) and the inclines decidedly ahem, steeper!  There were sweeping views over the Swan Coastal Plain from the top of the first hill however so the effort was rewarded.  

View of Perth CBD in the distance

Sweeping views of Swan Coastal Plain

The guidebook mentions a 'short, steep climb...to the summit of Woodsome Hill, which at 260 metres elevation is the highest point in the park'.  Steep - definitely!  After pulling ourselves up to the crowning fire tower, we found a shady spot among the grass trees to have our sandwiches, catch our breath, and enjoy the sunshine.

The best part of walking uphill all morning was the glorious descent all the way back down to the river and then a slow amble along the riverside path to the car park.  

Steep descent back to the river

We all felt decidedly footsore and weary after the walk today.  Euphemisms aside - aching actually and totally exhausted.  

Paten's Brook Track

The first official 'training' walk!  I should introduce the Fellowship - we three who will be tackling the Coast to Coast together: my husband Ross (tennis supremo and fit); my Dad (an incredibly fit 75-year old courtesy of years of running marathons); and me (er, not fit with the muscle mass of a marshmallow).  

My walking companions beneath an iconic tree along the Paten's Brook Trail

I must also acknowledge the wonderful book by Paul Amyes: Perth's Best Bush, Coast & City Walks which was the guide we used to choose and undertake some of our training walks.  

The first step on the trail began today - the Friday before a long-weekend and a very hard-won day off from work.  So, on a gloomy and overcast morning, we made our way to Beelu National Park in the Hills.

The stats

• Distance - 9km circuit
• Grade - classed as 'medium'
• Estimated time to complete - 3 hrs
• Actual time taken - 2 hrs 15 mins

The verdict

A really enjoyable walk and a good starter walk with an easy grade.  The majority of the track was of a high quality.

High quality track - Paten's Brook Trail

The path markers were brilliant and although we had the guide book handy, it would have been possible to follow the trail without it.  The commentary in the guide book did add to the experience however.  The bush was quiet and there were nice views over Lake CY O'Connor, which sadly looked quite low on water....

View over Lake C.Y. O'Connor

We felt decidedly pleased with our first effort and rewarded ourselves with a hearty lunch in Mundaring where we planned our next walk...