Pride of place among Western Australian walking routes goes to the Bibbulmun Track, a 598-mile path from Kalamunda, inland from Perth, to Albany, on the south coast. It follows a series of interconnected bush corridors, passing through many of the varieties of forest that occur in this corner of the state, as well as rural landscapes. Rather than walking the full length of the track, most people tackle the Bibbulmun in sections, a day or weekend at a time. Other extended hikers in the south include the Cape to Cape Walk, a coastal walk running the full length of Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park, and the famous Ridge Walk in Stirling Ranges National Park, a three-day excursion that includes ascents of three peaks over 3300 feet. The Stirlings also offer several great day walks such as the climbs up Bluff Knoll, Mount Hassell and Mount Talyuberlup. Further north, near Exmouth, there are coastal tracks in Cape Range National Park. Inland, the Hamersley Ranges in the Pilbara provide excellent opportunities for experiencing the outback environment. The most impressive walks here run through deep, water-filled gorges which provide welcome shelter from the often-extreme heat. Gorge walks are also a feature of other parts of the north, such as Kalbarri National Park near the west coast and many parts of The Kimberley. However, The Kimberley’s gorges can be as much of a curse as a blessing, for many routes that appear feasible on a map turn out to be blocked by impassable canyons. (Of course, this is just the kind of thing that gives the area unparalleled appeal for hard-core adventurers.) Another of the north’s challenges is the day trip to the summit of Mount Augustus, or Burringurrah as it is known to the traditional inhabitants, in Mount Augustus National Park, where wonderful views and intriguing Aboriginal art provide further interest.