Walsh's Pyramid

GPS Tracks

30 Walshs Pyramid (GPX)

A very steep walk up the highest free standing pyramid in the world. You start at 20 metres, to the top at 884 metres.

Lookouts

No Toilets

Scrambling or Climbing

No Dogs Permitted

No Camping Permitted

Eucalypt Forest

884m

Maximum Elevation

864m

Total Climb

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Getting there:

Drive south of Cairns to Gordonvale along the Bruce Highway. Just south of Gordonvale you will cross the Desmond Trannore Bridge (Mulgrave River). Turn right a few hundred metres after the bridge into Moss Access Road and follow to the carpark on your left.

Maps:

Walshs Pyramid

Route/Trail notes:

From the car park, follow the trail. Cross the service road at the start and just keep following the North ridge. This a well worn track with orange markers to help you at regular intervals. However, when crossing the open bolder area, look well ahead for your next marker. There are signposts marking each kilometre. Coming down, the track is much easier to identify.

The walk is incredibly steep and relentless until you reach the peak 3.1km from the start. At about 3km there is a large boulder on the left with grand views to the north and a great place for a picnic. Slightly after the 3km mark you will come to the peak with 360 degree views.

Watch out for runners in the winter months. In August there is an annual race from Gordonvale to the peack and back, with the winners generally taking about an hour and a half. They can be seen training a lot before the race.

Permits/Costs:

None.

Other References/Comments:

https://hikingtheworld.blog/2022/03/16/walshs-pyramid-cairns/

GPS Tracks

30 Walshs Pyramid (GPX)

Comments

Excellent walk - great challenge. Took about 2 hours up and 1 hour down. I got lost on the way down following some other track and had to back track a considerable way. Amazing views, can't wait to do it again!
Ian on 29 Jul, 2018

A great hike - always stunning views on the way up and from the top. No water available so be sure to take some especially in summer. Keep your eyes open at the top for a glorious sea eagle and about 800m in there’s often heaps of butterflies. Oh and goannas too.
We’re usually just under 3 hours return. Enjoy!
Maree B on 1 Jun, 2018

Leaving at 5.30am - still a challenging walk in summer, we have moderate fitness and it look us 2hrs up and 1.hrs down. Rough track, with quite a bit of rock scrambling, follow the orange arrows - we got off course once on the way up. The decent is hard on your joints, so not suited to those with knee/ankle issues. A tough but rewarding climb!
Tilli on 31 Jan, 2017

Two of us, departed base at 5.45 am with overcast skies; 1.75 hrs to go up and just < 1.5 to come down. Have done lots of hills but found this one quite difficult; definitely need to be prepared with 4 l water; good idea to leave say 2 l about half way to have on your return rather than carrying it all to top. Pleased to have done it but would recommend it as winter walk if not very fit.
Geobill on 26 Dec, 2016

Loved this walk! The track is pretty loose which makes it fun. The climb up is fairly hard, but its the trek back down which is the most hard. We left at 9 am and got back around 2 pm. Overcast day which made it so nice temperature wise! Once we got to the top the clouds cleared a bit and gave us a stunning view! Definitely worth it. Good place to do some conditioning. Would maybe just suggest good ankle supporting boots - some of the track is rocky and you could pretty easily roll an ankle. Would recommend!
Hailey Hebes on Oct, 2016

This was a testing climb and took us to the limits of our ability. Despite starting at 7am, by the time we got back to the car park at 2pm, the temperature was over 30 degrees. This was September, so god knows what it is like in summer, as there is limited shade on parts of the climb as you scramble up the boulders ridden upper reaches. Take plenty of water (4lt minimum) and a picnic, as area at the top is well suited and provides panoramic views.
F.A.B. on 3 Sep, 2015

The ascent took us 63 minutes to the 1/2 way mark ant two hours 20 minutes bottom to top . We left at 0750 from the car and returned to the car at 12.30
We found the walk strenuous and extending but very enjoyable , leaving at that time means you get morning shade , valuable on the ascent.
It's sinposted but not as well as some articles suggest . I found the descent more difficult and next time I'll wear a knee brace.
Alex17 on 12 Oct, 2014

Very hard.
Irina on 25 Aug, 2010

So many runners making us look weak. But totally worth it for the amazing views
Allan Allport on 5 Aug, 2010

I can't believe we did this walk in the middle of Summer. Probably not advisable. It was really hot, and every time we thought we were nearing the summit it just kept going further up. I also can't believe that people run up it in a race. Never the less, it is conquered!
Ian and Sue on 7 Jan, 2009