Bells Rapids, Pilgrims Trail, Mount Mambup loop with optional falls (11-12km)

By consensus we have decided on this hills walk.
This is my equal favourite hills hike at the moment.
We're expecting a cooler day with temperatures between 13°C and 15°C during our walk. There is a chance of some light rain so I'm taking the umbrella. 😊
This is an interesting walk that is a little more challenging than our normal walk from Bells to Syds. It takes us along the Swan/Avon following the easy Pilgrim's Track until we just enter Walyunga National Park but from there we head uphill, experiencing 2 steep, short, rutted climbs that will test your stamina but also guaranteed to put a smile on your dial. 😊 We traverse along the flat ridge heading south and experience stunning views of the Avon Valley and coastal planes, ending out at the top of Mt. Mambup where we then slowly descend into the Avon Valley again, looping back to Bells Rapids. This very picturesque walk has reasonable forest cover which opens up along the ridge. Plenty of birds, kangaroos and wild flowers in season. We saw a huge herd of goats previously.
There will be some water in the Swan/Avon but the brook flowing through the Bells Rapids Park Falls might be dry so we are likely to miss the extra 1km option to our hike.
There are no National Park fees coming from this direction.
Afterwards lets go for a coffee and a chat.
Where: Upper carpark RHS past the toilet block. (Click on the map for the exact pin drop.📍)
Distance: 11km, elevation gain 351m. The hike should take us about 2.5 to 3 hours at a comfortable pace. Optional Falls add an extra 1Km.
Difficulty: An easy track at first but then it does involve a decent hill. Note: Please don't come if you can't do the distance & hill, you will make it difficult for all of us.
What to bring: Water, good hiking shoes, poles, hat & sunscreen.
Toilets: At the beginning/end.
Coffee: Shalom Ladies Boutique Café - I love this place, let's support them. They do a great coffee and serve homemade, yummy food. It is nice to wander through their op-shop afterwards. A short drive away @ 754 Great Northern Hwy, Herne Hill WA 6056. Link here: Shalom Ladies Boutique Café
AllTrails Map: You can look at the walk here: Bells Rapids, Mount Mambup loop with optional falls (12km)

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