The Giants Trails provide opportunities for the whole family to immerse themselves in the beauty of nature (see ‘Gateway to an ancient world’ LANDSCOPE summer 2024-25). A combination of mountain biking, hiking and shared-use trails span the forest between Walpole and the Valley of the Giants.
Visitors can choose an adventure to suit their experience, available time and ability. From short walks to full day rides, there is something here to suit everyone. Ride or walk among giant karri and tingle trees, gaze out over the ocean at Hilltop Lookout, meet the Pleated Lady or ride through a living tree (Ride Through Tree).
With a variety of new trails now open, rides and hikes can be combined with the long-distance Munda Biddi Trail and Bibbulmun Track to create loops ranging from seven to 82km! The family friendly, green-rated mountain bike trails are typically flowing open trails on firm terrain with gentle gradients with some small, rollable obstacles. At Class 3, the hiking trails are of moderate difficulty with a few steep sections and rough surfaces.
The Giants Trails immerse riders deep within the forest. Photo – Flow MTB
THINKING LOCALLY
Denmark local, David Gibson, has been watching the construction of the Giants Trails with great anticipation.
“The trail builders have done an amazing job weaving wonderous riding trails through the iconic, ancient landscape,” Mr Gibson said. “As a result, the Giants Trails are one of the best back-country riding experiences in WA for those who love big saddle days in nature.”
The Giants Trails link the towns of Walpole and Nornalup with the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk through the heart of the Walpole Wilderness. There are two main trailheads – the Walpole Trailhead in the centre of town and the Giants Trailhead, which is located near the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk. Both trailheads have sealed road access, toilets, bike racks and repair stations, and picnic tables.
The Giants Trails were designed and built with accessibility, experience and sustainability front of mind. Each trail was carefully planned, taking into consideration and respecting important environmental and cultural values, and care was taken during construction to minimise impact and ensure the long-term sustainability of the trails.
Giants Trail signage at the start of the trails. Photo – DBCA
ADVENTURE AWAITS
Once Upon a Time is the start of the adventure and takes visitors out of Walpole along a shared-use trail. From there, the possibilities are endless! A long ride with a spectacular section along Kwakoorillup Beela (Frankland River) that reaches dizzying heights can be had by following Kingia’s Landing and Riverrun. Another option is to climb Rapunzel’s Tower (on foot or by bike) to the expansive views of the Southern Ocean at Hilltop Lookout. Riders can then flow back to Walpole along Robin’s Hood and hikers can join the Bibbulmun Track.
From the Giants Trailhead, Gatekeepers will get the blood pumping and adrenaline flowing for riders, while Tinglebell takes hikers into an enchanted forest of ancient tingle trees.
Gatekeepers trail, Giants Trails. Photo – Nic Quinn, Ride On
Cross country mountain biking enthusiasts can challenge themselves on the 82km Epic Tale route. Ridden as a loop out of either the Walpole or Giants trailheads, this full-day ride is jam packed with adventures and takes in nearly every trail in the Giants Trails network and shows off some of the many beautiful areas of the Walpole Wilderness.
“We are very excited to have the new Giants Trails within the Frankland District,” Nikki Rouse, Frankland District Manager said. “The Giants Trails allow visitors and locals alike to experience the unique karri and tingle forests in an entirely new way than they have been able to before.
“The family friendly trails have been designed and built to maximise the experience for the rider whilst minimising the impact to the forest. There really is something for everyone – easy flat scenic sections, some fast-flowing descents and some challenging (but achievable!) climbs.”
DEEP ROOTS
Cultural stories are woven through the interpretive signage at trailheads and trail junctions. Tales of the little hairy men or mummaries are warnings to trail users to tread lightly and the importance and significance of totems is explained.
Barniny bidi – you are travelling on the traditional tracks of the Noongar people. Be respectful of the land and environment you are in.
Local hiker, Helen Spencer recently walked Tinglebell and immediately felt enveloped by peace and the sounds of the forest.
“This enchanting walk reveals something new and interesting around every corner – whether it’s an enormous fallen log, the Pleated Lady (a big Red Tingle (Eucalyptus jacksonii) with an unusual buttress) or a hidden nook beneath a tree,” Ms Spencer said. “It’s a fabulous walk for families.”
Hiker walking through Tinglebell trail. Photo – DBCA
Trail names were chosen to reflect the fairytale nature and unique values of these forests. Once Upon a Time is, of course, the best way to begin any adventure and Wonderland takes riders, not down a rabbit hole, but into an environment so magical that they may start believing in impossible things.
The red tingle trees have large, buttressed bases and surprisingly delicate roots, which leads to the obvious comparison with Cinderella and her glass slippers. The Glass Slipper trail links the Tree Top Walk and the Giants Trailhead with the elegant Pleated Lady, one of the most iconic trees in this forest. Tinglebell refers to the tiny, bell-shaped fruit of the tingle trees.
There are also trail names for fans of more contemporary fantasy tales: Riverrun and Kingia’s Landing were inspired by Game of Thrones and there’s even a trail named after the classic 80’s movie, Labyrinth.
The Riverrun trail name was inspired by Game of Thrones. Photo – DBCA
The best place to find out more information about the Giants Trails is TrailsWA at trailswa.com.au.
Detailed descriptions and downloadable maps make it easy to decide which trail to ride.
Route suggestions give ideas on how trails can be combined to tailor a ride or hike to suit everyone, from the 7.2km Ancient Myth hiking route to the 82km Epic Tale mountain biking route.
“Begin at the beginning,” the King said, very gravely, “and go on till you come to the end: then stop.” – Alice in Wonderland.
