Hiking up Walsh's Pyramid, North Queensland, Australia

Hiking up Walsh's Pyramid, North Queensland

At a point in one's life, each person in Cairns, North Queensland thinks of scaling "Walsh's Pyramid" at some stage of their lives.

Walsh's Pyramid stands at 922m above sea level and is a must for the hiking enthusiast. A target that this intrepid adventurer seeks is that it is a dream to undertake this journey once every two years. I try to organise a group of friends for the assault usually between May and October as these are the cooler months of the year.

The hike itself is a very hot walk and there are no rivers or creeks to fill up your water bottles. Hence you have to take everything on your back. So it is wise to plan to go to the top with someone, and it is very wise if you organise to take at least 5 litres of water with you.

At first, the gradient is very steep, and joviality of the group is soon lost in the never ending plodding ever upwards. However, people soon get into their stride and it is here that teamwork does in fact come into play. This is particularly so for those of us who are on the unfit side of healthiness. It is worthy to note that your team members do aid you to keep going forward, and of course to keep your spirits and humour up.

The track is not much more than a goat track in places. However, there are always markers along the trail, such as paint on rocks, marking tape on trees etc. These will aid you if the trail seems to have vanished

At the half way point, it is noted that various people do have their own currency on time taken to hike. The Halfway point is well marked with paint on rock, and does give you excellent views of the town of Gordonvale at the base of the mountain.

Rich farming land and agriculture stretch to the limit of your vision and enrich your soul for you to say to yourself to keep going to achieve the summit.

It is worthy to note that you must take enough snacks and energy food (good old scroggin) to ensure you keep your energy up. At the halfway point, it would be wise to place a water drop of a litre or two. In fact, it is wise to place water all along the trail so as to reduce the weight of your pack on the way up and you can refresh on the way down. These water drops can be marked with a GPS if you carry an instrument.

Climbing the pyramid is definately a strenuous climb and there are numerous resting stops to be made. These are delightful, in that you then think of the runners for Gordonvale's Mountain Festival, of whom only take just over an hour to run from town, up the full 922 metres, back down, and back into town. You then understand the fitness that they must have (or the insanity).



Along the way, there are a couple of scrambling points of which the Traveller must climb. It is always worthy to have the proper hiking boots to enable your ankles to keep functioning properly. As I am from the State Emergency Service in Cairns, it is with the respect of the mountain that if emergency services were in need, that the SES wishes that the QES Rescue Chopper is available. However, the SES Teams are more than capable,always ready if needed and have brought down injured parties successfully previously.

On reaching the top of the mountain, the Pyramid offers 360 degree views. Mainly over the Township, the Mulgrave River Valley, The Behana Creek Valley, and the eastern canefields of Aloomba are highlighted.

At the pinnacle, there is enough room for the intrepid adventurer, to rest have an early lunch, and relax amongst the sound of the wind and air currents whistling through the trees.

For the more extreme adventurer, camping on the mountain is achievable as the one and only camp spot offers room enough for the tent the size of a three man abode. However, please remember that you need to carry the gear upwards.

The return journey is a little less expendable in time, however, the downhill journey does play havoc with the quads and ankles, so it is imperative that you pick and choose your footsteps. On reaching the bottom, it is also a favorable pastime to have a small dip in the Mulgrave River that runs at the base of the mountain. This refreshes the soul, and with the glances towards the mountain, you then have the feeling of achievement. If you do go to swim at Greenpatch, please watch out for lurking lizards...at least from October to May.

Remember, when hiking the fabulous natural trails of this great country, please do not leave anything, except footprints in the sand, and take nothing but photos and memories.