The most popular walk at Bold Park is the 5.1km Zamia Trail which loops around the park from Reabold Hill, although you can join at a number of other points. Being summer and a very humid day, although cooler than the heatwave days, we didn't manage to get all the way around on the Zamia Trial but still managed a 5km walk criss-crossing along the numerous other trails that wind through the park.
We parked at Camel Lake Car Park and followed the lower Camel Lake Heritage Trail which has a number of interpretive signs.
Climbing the hill on Tuart Walk got our heart rate up before we joined the Zamia Trail along the top to the Reabold Hill Lookout.
The Reabold Hill walkway features panels with art by Coral Lowry depicting some of the native flora and fauna found in the park.
The views from the top of Reabold Hill, 85 m above sea level, are stunning even if a bit hazy with today's humidity. There are interpretive signs along the metal walkway and at the top there are signs indicating the location of major landmarks as you look over the tuart canopy. We could see the Tuart Trail, which we had just walked, winding it's way up the hill.
Backtracking on the Zamia Trail we detoured to catch the ocean views at the lookout before continuing on. There was a slight breeze at the top of the hill but when we reached the lookout at Thornbill Walk we decided to head back towards the car rather than continue the Zamia Loop Trail.
There are a few more lookouts along Thornbill Walk and Link Walk. We then followed Pine Walk alongside the pine plantation. This trail is marked as challenging but the section we walked was an easy downhill walk.
After a short uphill stint back on the Zamia Trail we followed Yoorn Walk back to the Camel Lake carpark.
Lots of hills make this is a great park to walk, hike or run to get the heart pumping while still enjoying nature. Dogs are permitted but must be kept on lead. Whilst the Zamia Trail can be quite busy the intersecting trails are quieter. The trails are limestone and are relatively smooth and hard packed on the slopes but can be quite loose underfoot on the flatter sections. There are signposts at all trail intersections and you can download a map here or the brochure which gives the trail lengths (as below) here. Do your homework as some trails are easy and some are marked as challenging - that means hills!
The trail we walked took 70 minutes and was around 5km.
The bush was quite dry in early February and there were very few wildflowers. I am looking forward to returning to explore some of the other trails during spring to see more wildflowers.
February falls in the Noongar season of Bunuru when the female Zamia (Macrozamia riedlei) flowers emerge. The huge cones emerge from the centre of the plant changing from green to bright red as the hot weather ripens the seeds. Whilst emus can eat the seeds they are toxic to humans.
There are a number of car parks around Bold Park providing different access points. There is also a sealed road providing access to the Reabold Hill walkway. There are public toilets nearby in Perry Lakes Reserve, which also has several walking trails, shady barbecue areas, playgrounds and a skate park. We have explored Perry Lakes and all it has to offer in our blog Perry Lakes Reserve and Empire Games Scoreboard.
In the spirit of reconciliation Out and About- Family Nature Connection acknowledges the traditional owners of the Wadjak boodjar (Perth land) and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.
As always when hiking in the bush please help to reduce the spread of Phytophthora Dieback by sticking to the tracks and paths, staying out of quarantined areas and, if possible, clean your shoes before and after hiking.
To read more of my blogs go to https://www.outandaboutfnc.com/blog-1
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