10 Best hikes and trails in Cape Le Grand National Park

Best trails in Cape Le Grand National Park

4.7(875 reviews)

Australia
:
#83 of 638 national parks

Cape Le Grand National Park is located on the coast of Western Australia. Its landscape consists of white beaches and crystal clear turquoise ocean water that are surrounded by granite cliffs covered in bushes, making it a great place not only to swim and surf but also to hike. It is home to several animal species including kangaroos and possums.

Top picks recommended by trailgoers

#1 - Frenchman Peak Trail

4.7(405)

•Hard

•1.5 mi

In the south-west corner of the Cape Le Grand National Park, massive rock outcrops of granite and gneiss form an impressive chain of peaks, including Mount Le Grand (345m), Frenchman Peak (262m) and Mississippi Hill (180m). They result from erosion and Earth's crust movements over 600 million years. Caves and tunnels found in the peaks are thought to have been formed or enlarged by wave action and underwater currents 40 million years ago when sea levels were at least 300 metres below their...

#2 - Thistle Cove to Lucky Bay

An incredibly scenic walk near Esperence, in southern central Western Australia. Th trail heads from Thistle Cove to Lucky Bay with amazing vistas of the surrounding granite headlands along the way. Be careful in wet weather as the granite can be extremely slippery. Make sure to bring a hat, sunscreen, water and a bite to eat as you sit at one of the granite outcrops.

#3 - Thistle Cove to Hellfire Bay

4.8(69)

•Moderate

•5.9 mi

A great day walk through some absolutely stunning scenery that only the Western Australia could offer. This route begins with a short beach walk before coming across the large and imposing granite monoliths that erupt from the coastline. Don't forget your swimmers on this trip with plenty of spots along the way to take a dip and cool off.

#4 - Hellfire Bay to Le Grand Beach

A great hike through Cape Le Grand National Park, located in the central south coast of Western Australia, south east from Esperance. This out and back trail begins from the picnic area at the end of Hellfire Bay Road. From here you'll make your way to the Cape Le Grand Campground and back, passing Hellfire Bay and wrapping around Mount Le Grand along the way.

#5 - Mount Le Grand Track

4.4(48)

•Hard

•3.7 mi

An adventurous option within Cape Le Grand National Park on the south coast of Western Australia, located not too far from Esperance. The trail begins near the Cape Le Grand Campground, where parking is available. Follow the track until you reach the northern face of the mountain. From here there are no markers to guide you to and from the summit. Make your way up the steep and exposed rock face; wear shoes with plenty of grip and watch out for loose rocks. The views from the top are amazing!

#6 - Hellfire Bay Beach to Thistle Cove Beach

This challenging and incredibly scenic section of the Le Grand Coastal Trail is a must-do if you're in the area. The trail takes you over steep and rugged granite headlands, rewarding you with some of the most spectacular views in Cape Le Grand National Park. Be prepared for a tough climb, but the breathtaking panoramas of the turquoise ocean, the pristine white sands of Little Hellfire Bay, and the islands of the Recherche Archipelago views make it all worthwhile. Remember that the exposed...

#7 - Lucky Bay and Lockout Beach Walk

A lovely beach walk within the Cape Le Grand National Park on the central south coast of Western Australia, located not too far from the town of Esperance. This out and back trail begins from Lucky Bay Road, where parking is available. From here you'll follow the coast up to the Lucky Bay Lookout at the other end of the beach and back again.

#8 - Rossiter Bay to Lucky Bay via Mississippi Hill

A scenic walk near Esperance, in South Central Western Australia. The trail connects from Rossiter Bay to Lucky Bay with a good climb over Mississippi Hill. Along the way, there are amazing views of the surrounding headlands and beaches. Plus lots of Kangaroos, and birds live in the park. There are options to continue the walk at both ends along the coastline.

#9 - Hellfire Bay Trail

A stunning trail through Cape Le Grand National Park, located in the centre of the southern coast of Western Australia. The trail begins at the end of Hellfire Bay Road. Despite its forbidding name, this bay is one of the most beautiful in the park and should not be missed. As you descend from the car park, a shady picnic area provides the perfect place to stop and have lunch.

#10 - Thistle Cove Trail

Look at the vegetation of the coastal heath as you drive in to this attractive bay. The sandplains which cover much of the park support a great variety of wildflowers and wildlife. In areas of deep sand, dense thickets of showy banksia (Banksia speciosa) thrive, growing to three or four metres tall. On gravel outcrops and in areas where the soil is shallow, scrub banksia (Banksia pulchella) may be found. The bay is a great place to enjoy a swim and a picnic (there is table provided). ...

Showing results 1–10 of 16

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Trail reviews for Cape Le Grand National Park

1,367 trailgoers Busiest in April

Jeff G

May 30, 2025•Hiking

Easy to parkNot crowdedBathrooms availableGreat conditionsGreat views

Surpassed expectations. Was so amazing. So many different terrains and the views. On the Saturday of the long weekend, five of us took on the Cape Le Grand Coastal Trail, and to be honest, I’d never even heard of it before planning our Esperance trip. But after doing it, I can honestly say it’s now in my top 2 day hikes in WA. The terrain had a bit of everything: beach walks, granite climbs, coastal scrambles, creek crossings, scrub, and forest, all with those stunning coastal views Esperance is known for. You definitely don’t get bored on this one. It took longer than I expected. We started around 7:30am and didn’t finish until about an hour after sunset 6pmish, but we got to catch an epic sunset right at the end, which made it totally worth it. Two in our group had never done a hike this big before, and while it was definitely a challenge for them, they absolutely loved it. If you’re into hiking and haven’t been to Esperance yet, I’d highly recommend adding this one to your list. There are two campgrounds with facilities along the way if you want to turn it into an overnighter, and four 2WD access points along the trail if you’d rather do it in smaller sections.

Cape Le Grand Coastal Trail

Warren Graham

May 2, 2025•Hiking

Easy to parkNot crowdedGreat conditionsGreat views

Wild coastline, big views, and a solid workout Thistle Cove to Hellfire Bay, Cape Le Grand, WA This 9.7 km coastal trail was an unforgettable experience—rugged beauty every step of the way. I ran it on a stunning afternoon with perfect trail conditions. The route is well-marked and offers incredible ocean views, granite headlands, and turquoise coves that make you want to stop constantly just to take it all in. The 376 m of elevation gain added a good challenge, but the scenery more than made up for the effort. It wasn’t crowded at all, and parking was super easy at both ends. Hellfire Bay is a fantastic place to cool off post-run or just kick back and soak up the surroundings. “Clifftops, coves, and coastal magic – Thistle to Hellfire is peak WA trail running.”

Conditions: No bugs, Dry ground, Well maintained

Thistle Cove to Hellfire Bay

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Frequently asked questions

Where is the best place to hike in Cape Le Grand National Park?

According to users from AllTrails.com, the best place to hike in Cape Le Grand National Park is Frenchman Peak Trail, which has a 4.7 star rating from 405 reviews. This trail is 1.5 mi long with an elevation gain of 574 ft.

What is the longest trail in Cape Le Grand National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, the longest trail in Cape Le Grand National Park is Thistle Cove to Cape Le Grand Beach. This trail is estimated to be 14.3 mi long.

How many trails are in Cape Le Grand National Park?

There are 16 trails in Cape Le Grand National Park. These trails have an average 4.7-star rating from 875 AllTrails community reviews.

Which trail has the most elevation gain in Cape Le Grand National Park?

If you're looking for elevation gain, Cape Le Grand National Park has you covered. Thistle Cove to Cape Le Grand Beach boasts the most elevation gain with 3,313 ft of total ascent. The park's runner-up is Cape Le Grand Coastal Trail, which will get you 2,444 ft of elevation gain.

Are there camping trails available in Cape Le Grand National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there is 1 camping trail in Cape Le Grand National Park which is Cape Le Grand Coastal Trail with an average 5.0 star rating from 8 community reviews.

Are there running trails available in Cape Le Grand National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 2 running trails in Cape Le Grand National Park and the most popular is Hellfire Bay to Le Grand Beach with an average 4.6 star rating from 60 community reviews.