The Ultimate Guide to the East Mount Barren Trail

east mount barren trail summit

Enjoy the beauty of Hopetoun from a whole new perspective with the East Mount Barren trail. Challenge yourself on a short mountain hike to the summit and enjoy outstanding panoramic views of Hopetoun. You’ll have unmatched views of the bright turquoise blue waters of the ocean, the huge Culham Inlet and the surrounding green bushland.

We’ve put together this guide to let you know everything you need to know about the East Mount Barren trail before you head there. We share details such as; how long the East Mount Barren trail is, how hard the East Mount Barren trail is, the best time to complete the East Mount Barren trail and how much the East Mount Barren trail costs. Keep reading so you’re fully prepared to take on the East Mount Barren trail.

How Long is the East Mount Barren Trail?

The full East Mount Barren trail is approximately 2.6km return.

How Long Does it Take to Complete the East Mount Barren Trail?

The East Mount Barren return trail takes around 2-3 hours on average. The time it takes will vary depending on how long you spend on the summit and how often you stop to rest or take photos.

east mount barren trail information sign

How High is East Mount Barren?

East Mount Barren has a height of 311 metres above sea level.

What Grade is the East Mount Barren Trail?

East Mount Barren is classified as a grade 4 hike. Grade 4 hikes can be long, rough and steep so are only recommended for experienced bushwalkers who have a reasonable level of fitness.

How Hard is it to Hike East Mount Barren?

The East Mount Barren trail is classified as difficult as it’s relatively steep and the trail has some rough sections that are rugged and rocky. You will have to hike up loose rock and there will be some sections that require a bit of a rock scramble.

However, for experienced hikers who have a good level of fitness this hike would be easy. The incline is relatively gradual, the trail is not particularly long and the loose rock is surprisingly rigid (so you won’t have to worry about slipping the entire trail!).

Attached below are some images of the rougher sections of the East Mount Barren trail.

Can Anyone Hike East Mount Barren?

Yes, anyone with a moderate level of fitness and agility can take on the East Mount Barren trail and reach the summit. As always, know your own limits, listen to your body and take your time. Don’t hesitate to stop frequently to catch your breath and have a drink break.

Can Kids Hike East Mount Barren?

Yes, kids can hike the East Mount Barren trail. As the trail is steep and rough in sections it’s likely not suitable for very young kids and is only suitable for kids who are comfortable taking on hikes.

Can Elderly People Hike East Mount Barren?

Yes, older people can climb East Mount Barren. As the trail is steep and rough in sections however it wouldn’t be suitable for anyone with knee or leg issues. Stay within your own limits, listen to your body and take your time.

Can you do the Hike Solo?

Yes, the East Mount Barren trail can be done solo. Whenever taking on a hike solo we recommend letting someone else know of your whereabouts and how long you expect the hike to take.

When is the Best Time of Year to do the East Mount Barren Trail?

The East Mount Barren trail can be done all year round, however the best time of year to complete the hike is during Spring (September to November) when wildflower season in the Fitzgerald National Park peaks. Even though some wildflowers can be seen in bloom throughout the entire year, Spring is when you’ll see the most. Spring also has some of the best weather conditions as you avoid the intense heat that Summer brings and the rain and wind of the Winter months.

With that being said, we completed the hike during summer in January and the conditions were perfect as we avoided going on a hot day and went on a day that was cooler. We also still saw some wildflowers.

What is the Best Time to do the East Mount Barren Trail?

You can start the East Mount Barren trail at any time, the best time to start however will depend on what month you’re visiting. Pick a time when the weather is cooler but you still have great visibility to navigate your way through the trail.

If you’re visiting during Summer we’d recommend starting the hike early in the morning (after sunrise, which is typically around 5-6am) to avoid the intense summer heat that hits by midday.

What Should I Expect on the East Mount Barren Trail?

Expect a moderately challenging hike through bushland and over loose rock up a mountain where you’ll be rewarded with outstanding views of the surrounding area for majority of the trail. The trail starts off on a flat wooden boardwalk before quickly switching to a relatively steep incline on a rough path of loose rocks.

This steep climb up the mountain is quite long, but the entire way up you’re rewarded with incredible views of the ocean behind you. So make sure to stop and take regular breaks to admire the scenery behind, it’ll also be a great reminder of how far you’ve come as you gradually get further and further away from the car park below. Once reaching the top of that section you’ll reach a number of large rocks which you’ll pass through. This area is much flatter and you’ll be surrounded by thick bushland.

As you continue on the path you’ll eventually reach a narrow and steep rocky section that you have to scramble over to reach the summit. This section requires some agility as it can be quite a climb (particularly if you’re short) but it’s a pretty short section and soon enough you’ve reached the summit.

The summit of East Mount Barren is quite different to other mountains where you make it to one particular spot and know for sure you’re at the top. East Mount Barren is open for exploring as the summit is quite large and varied. Climb up on of the rock spires and enjoy the surrounding views or follow different paths through dense bushland that open up and reward you with more incredible views.

east mount barren trail summit different angle

How Much does it Cost to do the East Mount Barren Trail?

Park entry fees are required for the Fitzgerald River National Park which the East Mount Barren trail is located within. At the time of writing this (February 2023) the price is $15 per standard vehicle (with 12 or less occupants).

If you’re visiting multiple national parks during your trip we would recommend getting a holiday pass or an annual all parks pass as these will be better value for money. Holiday passes are available for 5 days, 14 days or 4 weeks and annual all parks passes are available for a full year. You can buy these online (here) on the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions website.

Are there Toilets at East Mount Barren?

No, there are no toilets at the East Mount Barren trail. The nearest toilets are at the Barrens Beach and Four Mile Beach picnic areas, just a short 5 minute drive away from the East Mount Barren trail.

Do you Need a Map for East Mount Barren?

No you don’t need a map for the East Mount Barren trail as it is easy to navigate. The starting point is easy to find as it’s clearly signposted and is close to the car park. The trail is also quite well defined making it obvious where to go. There are numerous trail markers throughout the trail also to reassure that you’re still on the right path. There were only a couple of times near the summit where we second guessed whether we were heading the right way but after a couple of seconds of re-evaluating we’d know for sure.

east mount barren trail marker

Is East Mount Barren Dog Friendly?

No, dogs (and other pets) are not allowed in the Fitzgerald River National Park at all. You’ll have to leave your furry friend at home if you plan on taking on the East Mount Barren trail.

Is there Phone Reception at East Mount Barren?

Yes there is phone reception at East Mount Barren. From the car park we had patchy Testra signal which kept cutting in and out however when we were on the trail and at the summit we had perfect signal.

Is the Road to East Mount Barren Sealed?

Yes, Hamersley Drive (the road that leads up to the East Mount Barren car park) is sealed, making it suitable for all vehicles to drive on. The car park itself is also sealed.

east mount barren sealed road

Is there Parking at East Mount Barren?

Yes, there’s a large car park at the base of East Mount Barren where the hiking trail starts. The car park has 16 parking spots, a disabled parking spot and 2 long bays for larger vehicles.

east mount barren parking

Where is East Mount Barren?

East Mount Barren is located in the Fitzgerald River National Park which is within the Goldfields-Esperance region of Western Australia.

How do you Get to East Mount Barren?

You will need to drive to get to East Mount Barren. The trail starts from the East Mount Barren car park so make sure to navigate to ‘East Mount Barren Trail Head’ in Google Maps (link is here) which will take you to the car park.

How Far is East Mount Barren from Perth?

East Mount Barren is approximately 571km from Perth, which is about a 6-7 hour drive away (depending on traffic and which route you take).

How Far is East Mount Barren from Ravensthorpe?

East Mount Barren is approximately 60km from Ravensthorpe, which is about a 40-50 minute drive away (depending on traffic).

How Far is East Mount Barren from Albany?

East Mount Barren is approximately 354km from Albany, which is about a 3.5-4.5 hour drive away (depending on traffic and which route you take).

How Far is East Mount Barren from Esperance?

East Mount Barren is approximately 205km from Esperance, which is about a 2-3 hour drive away (depending on traffic and which route you take).

Where does the East Mount Barren Trail Start?

The trail starts close to the East Mount Barren car park. Once you arrive at the car park you’ll see the East Mount Barren trail start sign. The trail’s wooden boardwalk and a dieback boot cleaning station are located right after the trail start sign.

What Should you Pack when Hiking East Mount Barren?

We recommend packing the following for the East Mount Barren trail:

  • Water – take at least 1L per person per hour.
  • Snacks – pack snacks in case you want to ‘refuel’ along the way.
  • A first aid kit – we always recommend packing a small first aid kit with some basic supplies no matter the length of the hike. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
  • A hat – stay sun smart and protect your face, head, neck and ears with a hat.
  • Sunscreen – protect yourself and stay sun smart.
  • A camera – pack your camera or phone to take pictures of the incredible views on the East Mount Barren trail.

What Should you Wear When Hiking East Mount Barren?

Wear clothes that you are comfortable climbing and hiking in. As sections of the trail go through thick bush we would recommend covering up and wearing long clothing as leaves and twigs will scratch your legs and arms otherwise.

As with any hike, make sure to stay sun smart even on overcast days; wear a hat, cover up and put sunscreen on. Also make sure to wear grippy and comfortable footwear that you can hike in.

Enjoy the East Mount Barren Hike!

That’s the end of our guide on everything you need to know about the East Mount Barren trail. We hope you enjoy the hike and your time in Hopetoun.

Lydia
Lydia

Hey! I’m Lydia.

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