A preword… the weather here is fickle.

We were forecast sunny days but ended up with rain and wind! You can still enjoy your time in the Stirling Ranges but be prepared to alter plans for the weather!

Bluff knoll at sunset

Yes I said sunset. Not sunrise. Bluff knoll is the most popular hike in the Stirling ranges.. and for a reason! However, it is not the only thing to do here! I have written a full blog on hiking bluff knoll (Bluff knoll at sunset – a spectacular hike)

Sunset is an excellent time to hike up Bluff knoll

Hiking Mount Trio

For some reason, Mt Trio is overlooked in favour of bluff knoll. If you have time for multiple hikes (and you should make sure that you do) mount trio is an excellent hike.

Mt Trio is a great option of a hike – good views, obvious path, easily accessible.

The drive up is gravel but easily accessible and you end in a small car park at the base of the hike. From the car park you can look up and see the rocky outcrop of the summit!

At 856 meters high, it is significantly shorter than bluff knoll however you are rewarded with epic views! It took us about 50 minutes to hike up, which was well worth it! As Mt trio is located in the middle of the ranges, everything appears closer and you get a completely different perspective than from bluff knoll!

The path is obvious however there are a few moments of uneven rocky terrain and the bush encroaches on the path far more than the more popular bluff knoll!

Stirling Ranges scenic drive

I’m always a bit sceptical about scenic drives. They never seem to quite hit the spot, tempting you with a great view but then turning away just before you reach the finale! Or hiding the view in bush.

And yes, this drive does a bit of that. But it also delivers on fun! A 42km gravel road, we were a bit slow going but it was great! The drive weaves its way through the ranges giving you views of mountains. It’s not a European mountain drive by any means, but it’s different and fun! Both the western and central lookout points give a good views of the surrounding ranges.

Porongurup Granite Skywalk

(which I don’t recommend)

Okay, so not officially in the ranges. But at 30 minutes drive away it’s an easy day trip.

If I’m honest, I don’t recommend this over the previous two hikes. The path up is boring with no views along the way, plus it was the busiest trail of the lot! While the skywalk itself is cool (a rocky platform attached to a rock of granite,) the views themselves were underwhelming. This felt like more of a tickbox activity rather than the fun epic adventure we were hoping for.