Are you considering hiking the Pyramid in Girraween National Park? This steep climb is a unique walk that will surprise most hikers. If you’re wondering how difficult it is and how long the Pyramid walk takes, here are some tips to help you prepare.
Summary (Pyramid walk loop)
Distance: 4-5 km
Time: 1.5-2 hours
Difficulty: moderate/hard
Disclaimer: The hiking time and difficulty are based on our experience. We are experienced hikers with a good level of fitness, used to hiking long distances and scrambling. We possess good navigation skills and use a Garmin watch* with a GPS navigation map. Always check the park alerts and notes, as trail conditions change over time, which may affect the hike’s level of difficulty.
How hard is the Pyramid walk?
I found the Pyramid in Girraween National Park easier than I had anticipated, but it certainly provides a good leg workout! The most challenging part is at the start of the granite climb. Some may pause at this point and wonder whether to continue, concerned that it may become more difficult. As you ascend, you may also question how dangerous it will be to go down the steep and exposed granite rock. However, if you take your time, follow the path, and wear appropriate shoes with a good grip, it should not be a problem. Plus, if you become tired or want to protect your joints, you can always descend on your bum where the incline is uncomfortable.
For fit hikers with experience on steep granite rocks, the Pyramid walk is not difficult. It is a lot easier than climbing Mount Amos in Freycinet National Park, for example, as it is shorter and involves less scrambling. Moreover, the white markings on the granite rock are easy to find.
The walk leading to the base of the Pyramid has many steps on a well-formed track, which provides a good warm-up before the climb. Although the beginning of the granite rock is the steepest part, you are quickly rewarded with beautiful views. These views become even more stunning at the summit, where you can enjoy a 360-degree panorama of the surrounding national parks and other beautiful granite mounts, such as Castle Rock, the Sphinx, and the Turtle.
Choose a rain-free day for the Pyramid walk. When wet, granite becomes extremely slippery, making it unsafe to climb the Pyramid during or after rainfall.
How long is the Pyramid walk?
The national park signs indicate it takes 1.5 to 2 hours to complete the Pyramid walk. It would have taken us around 2 hours at a very leisurely pace, with many breaks for photos and to spot wildlife. But we decided to take a detour and do a loop to check out The Arch on the way back. We walked for a total of 5 km for about 2.5 hours.
Extra tips to visit Girraween National Park
Keep your eyes open to spot wildlife
Girraween National Park is an excellent location for bird watching; we spotted three black cockatoos just minutes after leaving the car. Keep a keen eye on the boulders during your climb on the Pyramid walk; you’re likely to spot beautiful skinks. The national park’s rocks are also home to bearded dragons and jacky lizards. Spend time around the day-use area for a chance to spot wallabies.
If you’ve read that you may be lucky enough to see a wombat in Girraween National Park, don’t get your hopes up too high. They reside in the park’s less-accessible regions and are rarely seen, even by rangers. We did not observe any signs of wombats (scat or burrows) during our multiple visits to Girraween National Park.
Visit in spring for the wildflowers
Girraween means “place of flowers” (named in the 60s from a naming competition), and it’s easy to understand why when you visit the national park in spring.
Explore the other trails in Girraween National Park
The Pyramid walk is the most iconic hike in Girraween National Park, but other trails are worth exploring too.
Relax at a winery after your hike
You don’t need to pack a picnic when hiking Girraween National Park. You will find wineries only 10 minutes away for lunch, such as Balancing Heart Vineyards.
Accommodations
There are plenty of accommodation options near Girraween National Park. It’s a great destination for camping. But you can also indulge in more luxurious options. We enjoyed staying at a winery (the Ridgemill Estate*) only half an hour away from the national park allowing the entire group, including our designated driver, to fully enjoy the wine tasting. If it’s not available, check out Whiskey Gully Wines* nearby, they also offer accommodation and have a cellar door.
There are also some lovely places closer to the national park:
- You can stay in a barrel at Barrel View Luxury Cabins*
- Just Red Wines Cabins* offer vineyard views
- Sancerre Estate* offers accommodation nestled amongst a vineyard
Where is the Pyramid walk?
The Pyramid walk in Giraween National Park starts at the main car park near the visitor information centre. It takes just over three hours to drive there from Brisbane or the Gold Coast. Girraween National Park and the Granite Belt region make an excellent three-day weekend away from Brisbane.
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