Tucked away in South West Western Australia, Joelle is convinced that Nancy Peak circuit is the perfect alternative to the popular Castle Rock Granite Skywalk.

 

We acknowledge that this adventure is located on the traditional Country of the Mineng and Goreng  peoples who have occupied and cared for the lands, waters, and their inhabitants for thousands of years. We pay our respects to them as the Traditional Custodians and recognise that sovereignty was never ceded.

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Quick Overview

Whilst the Stirling Ranges are the superstar of South West WA’s hiking scene, Porongurup National Park definitely deserves its 15 minutes of fame.

Nancy Peak is a 5.5km circuit trail located in Porongurup National Park, only 30 minutes south of Western Australia’s popular Stirling Ranges. The ever-changing terrain of this grade 4 track will take you through the shelter of moss-covered karri forest, shrubs, and wildflowers, to the exposed granite rock lookouts.

 

About Nancy Peak

The Porongurup Range forms part of the ‘Southwest Biodiversity Hotspot’ – one of only 34 areas in the world noticed for its rich diversity of flora and fauna.

Nine of the flora species found in the Porongurups are found only in this park, and it’s home to over 71 species of birds alone! The Porongurup National Park is National Heritage-listed, alongside the nearby Stirling Ranges.

This abundant and diverse park area has also had a slow and steady recovery from devastating fire. Over three days in February 2007, approximately 95% of the park was burnt in a blaze that sparked on private land nearby.

Read more: Remember to leave no trace

Nancy Peak History

Nancy Peak lies on the traditional lands of the Minang and Koreng groups of the Noongar people. It’s an area of cultural significance and is regarded as both a sacred and dangerous site for First Nations peoples.

Porongurup means ‘totem’ in Noongar, a plant or animal inherited at birth, and Dreamtime stories tell us that the Porongurups are home to totem spirits. Many First Nations people won’t summit peaks in both the Porongurups and nearby Stirling Ranges for this reason.

 

 

The institutional knowledge of the Parks & Wildlife Service Rangers has come through with the goods to prove that Australians will name landmarks after literally anything.

It so happens that Nancy was the name of a neighbouring property’s house cow, that wandered up the peak’s slope to calve. In much less interesting news, Morgans Peak was named after local landholder and former premier of WA, Alf Morgans, the second shortest serving WA Premier in history with a stint of just 32 days.

For a relatively unheard-of area, the Porongurup Range is pretty significant – it’s actually the relic core of an ancient mountain range formed over 1200 million years ago, and the granite domes are the remains of a massive bubble of molten rock that has weathered away over millions of years.

 

How to Get to Nancy Peak

The trail starts from the Tree-in-the-Rock picnic area, located approximately 4.5 hours’ drive south of Perth or 45 minutes north of Albany. Driving is the only option at the moment, as there’s no public transport in the area.

Skill Level

Intermediate

While the hike is well marked, it’s a heart-pumper that’s steep and exposed to the wind in areas and can be quite slippery.

 

Distance/Duration/Elevation

Nancy Peak Circuit only

5.5km / 3 hours / 652m above sea-level

Nancy Peak with Devils Slide side trip

7km / Allow 4 hours / 670m above sea-level

KML File

Essential Gear for Nancy Peak

  • Water (there’s no opportunity to re-fill)
  • Snacks
  • Hat
  • Sunscreen
  • Gaiters (for the bushy / overgrown sections)
  • Wind/Waterproof jacket (weather dependent)
  • Sturdy hiking shoes

Read more: How to purify water in the bush

What It’s Like to Hike Nancy Peak

Only a stone’s throw from the popular Castle Rock Granite Skywalk, this incredibly underrated hike starts at the obviously named ‘Tree-in-the-Rock’ picnic area car park. Approximately 100 metres into the hike you’ll find – you guessed it – a karri tree growing atop a large granite rock.

Nancy Peak trail feels like a hike through a life-sized terrarium – and you’re a human-sized mole. Starting this track in a clockwise direction, the mossy karri tree forest and springy earth underfoot will lead you to (unexpectedly) pop out at your first vantage point, Haywards Peak.

 

 

The further you walk, the clearer and more impressive the views become out to Devils Slide, over farmland, over the Porongurups and to the Stirling Ranges in the north, with the trail pulling you back into the ever-changing forest and heathlands between each peak.

The trail has been around for years and is managed by WA Parks, but it can be a little narrow and overgrown in places. Navigation isn’t tough, just keep an eye out for the markers.

Next up you’ll reach the hike’s namesake, Nancy Peak, followed by Morgans View, with each of these outcrops offering increasingly wonderful landscape.

After a breather at Morgans View, you’ll start to descend towards the side-trail for Devils Slide, marked by an information board.

 

 

The scramble up Devils Slide is well-worth the views in good weather; the top can be WINDY and both the ascent and descent slippery if wet. If the Slide doesn’t tickle your fancy, stay right and follow the trail back to the car park.

Though short, this hike is challenging and offers plenty of terrain variety through its harsh switchbacks, stairs, narrow paths, rocky scrambles, mossy karri forest and bald granite boulders.

Tips for Hiking Nancy Peak

Starting and ending in the car park, I recommend walking the track clockwise. While this might make for a more difficult hike, it means the side-trip to Devils Slide will be towards the end of your travels and you can decide whether you’ve got enough gas left in the tank to take it on.

 

 

There’s a $15 car entry fee for Porongurup National Park. There doesn’t appear to be anywhere to purchase a ticket at the Tree-in-the-Rock picnic area, so you’re best to drive eight minutes to the Granite Skywalk car park and purchase one there (unless of course you have a WA Parks Pass).

The Tree-in-the-Rock picnic area has picnic benches and BBQs, but the peaks would all also make great food stops.

Be prepared for all conditions as you’re exposed on the peaks and the weather can change rapidly. Oh, and keep an eye out for snakes.

Nancy Peak FAQs

Where is Nancy Peak?

Nancy Peak is located in the Porongurup National Park, just 30 minutes’ drive from the Stirling Ranges or 45 minutes from Albany.

Is Nancy Peak good for beginners?

Nancy Peak is a grade 4 hike and is recommended for people with a good level of hiking experience. This hike is not recommended for beginners.

How long does it take to complete Nancy Peak circuit?

Depending on whether you tackle the side-hike to Devils Slide, the hike can take anywhere from 2-4 hours, plus breaks.

How long is Nancy Peak circuit?

Nancy Peak circuit is approximately 5.5km, or 7km if you add Devils Slide.

Can you swim at Nancy Peak?

Unfortunately there are no swimming holes nearby, however Albany is a 45 minute drive away and offers some of the best beaches in the area.

Do you need a 4WD to get to Nancy Peak?

Nope, my little 2WD was absolutely fine!

Is Nancy Peak free?

There’s a $15 entry fee per vehicle, which gives you access to all the hiking trails in Porongurup National Park!