Dales Gorge Loop

The first stretch is the gentler part. Follow the marked path from Dales Picnic Area above the gorge; it has gradual slopes and some steps, with wide views opening across the red walls. Snappy gums cluster near the start, and native cypress gives patches of shade closer to the cliff. At Three Ways, take the signed descent into the gorge. From the rim, the view is all layers and distance; a photo from Three Ways works best with a little of the trail edge in the foreground so the depth reads.

The creek-side trail is short on the map and slow underfoot. It is rough and uneven, with rock-hopping, steps, loose stones and stretches where you work around pools. Some crossings can be shallow and wet, and directional signs are limited. Give this section time instead of trying to keep a steady pace. The reward is walking among the tall iron-red walls rather than looking down at them, with shaded pools and green pockets at the base of the gorge.

The gorge path brings you to Fortescue Falls, where spring-fed water drops more than 20 metres over natural rock steps into a fern-lined pool. From there, climb the long stairway back to the day-use access. Fern Pool is a separate 600 m return detour from the bottom of the Fortescue Falls steps; it is not included in the 2.8 km loop, so add that distance if you want to visit it.

Dales Gorge is also known by its Banjima name, Ngirribungunha. The surrounding country is cared for by Banyjima, Kurrama and Innawonga peoples. Traditional fire-stick land management helped shape the park's varied vegetation, and the contrast is easy to see here: dry, open country above, then damp, ferny pockets around permanent water below.

Start from Dales Picnic Area, not the separate campground. Toilets are listed at the recreation area, but no food service or drinking-water refill is identified on the trail, so bring what you need. Park entry fees apply and pets are not allowed anywhere in Karijini National Park. The Pilbara heat is severe from November through April; choose a cooler part of the year or start early. Flash floods can turn a gorge dangerous quickly: leave if rain starts and never enter while rain is falling in the area.