Warren River Loop Trail: Everything you need to know

Do you fancy the idea of a secluded forest walking trail with towering trees and cascading wildflowers? How about a dip in a serene river flowing with calm waters? You can enjoy all this and more when you take on the Warren River Loop Trail.

Located just outside the quiet country town of Pemberton, this trail is every nature lover’s dream. Keep reading for everything you need to know about the Warren River Loop Trail.

What is Warren River Loop Trail?

The Warren River Loop Trail is a beautiful 10.5km circuit that runs through the Warren River Valley. This trail will transport you into beautiful woodland surrounded by towering Karri trees. There are plenty of sites to see along this trail including a flowing river, lookouts, picnic areas, and more.

This circuit should take roughly three hours to complete and is rated moderately hard as some sections get quite steep. But the time will breeze by as you take in the breathtaking surroundings of the magical river and secluded forest.

Where is the Warren River Loop Trail?

The Warren River Loop Trail is hidden within the Warren National Park near Pemberton. The park offers 3000 hectares of woodland and is towered by the region’s famous ancient karri trees. The traditional owners of Warren National Park are the Bibulmun/Piblemen people. 

Warren National Park is located 15km southwest of the Pemberton town centre. You’ll need to travel along the unsealed Old Vasse Road to reach the Dave Evans Bicentennial Tree where the trail begins.

It’s an easy 20-minute drive from Pemberton where there is plenty more to see and do if you have some extra time.

What to do at Warren River Loop Trail:

Prepare for a long walk, as this 10.5km track will take roughly three hours to complete. We suggest allocating some extra time so you can stop and enjoy some sights along the way.

Your hike will set off from the Dave Evans Bicentennial Tree, which is an old bushfire lookout. From here you will trek downhill through more timber trees until you get your first taste of the river near the Maidenbush picnic area. Here you’ll be able to enjoy a quick break and take in the scenery from the boardwalk. 

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A little further down the trail you will eventually reach Warren River. There are camping areas and swim platforms to allow easy swimming access to the river. After this, you’ll definitely deserve a rest and a little picnic lunch to tackle the rest of the walk. A few kilometres up from the river is the spectacular Warren River Lookout. You’ll want to snap a picture here before finishing off the hike. 

Make sure you keep your eyes peeled for flora and fauna while tackling this trail. If you’re visiting during spring, you’ll be lucky enough to see the forests veiled in a colourful array of wildflowers. The forest is also home to a variety of birds including blue wrens, robins, silvereyes, and red capped parrots.

What not to do at Warren River Loop Trail: 

Don’t forget to pay your entry fee on your way into the national park. The cost is usually between $8-$10. There are also no pets or bikes allowed on the trail, so leave those things behind.

If you’re swimming in the river, don’t dive in as there may be submerged logs in the river.  

Don’t go into the track unprepared. Make sure you know the route you are going to take. Since this trail is a circuit you can start and end at many points, but to avoid walking up the steepest sections you should complete the loop in an anticlockwise direction. 

Finally, make sure you adhere to the Leave No Trace principles so that this much-loved trail is left as you found it.

Anything else?

Want to extend your trip and spend a night under the stars? There are a few campgrounds in Warren National Park where you can spend the night. Both Warren Camp and Drafty’s Camp are great options.

Image credit: Western Australia