Kings Canyon rim walk, Watarrka

From the Kings Canyon car park, the walk starts with a steep climb up a long stone stairway to the plateau. The track then follows the north rim through the beehive domes of the Lost City, with views down the sheer walls into the canyon. Steps lead down to the Garden of Eden, a permanent waterhole among palms and ferns at the head of the canyon. Cross the bridge, climb to the south rim and follow it back down to the car park.

It is 5.6 km round with 156 m of ascent; allow about 2 hours. The grade is Moderate: the opening climb is steep and the rest is uneven rock, with unfenced drops. It is graded 4, moderate to difficult, with three to four hours suggested.

The track is signed to be walked clockwise. On days forecast to reach 36 °C or more, walkers must start before 9 am, and no one may start after that. From September to April avoid the middle of the day. Swimming is not allowed in the Garden of Eden. Carry plenty of water and keep well back from the cliff edges.

Visitors to the Northern Territory need an NT Parks visitor pass. Watarrka National Park is about four hours' drive from Alice Springs and three and a half from Ayers Rock Airport.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.