Hardest
The rim circuit
On foot, above
- Distance6 km loop
- Time3 to 4 hours
- GradeGrade 4
Pick out your stop
The Kings Canyon Rim Walk: how hard it is and how to plan it
Answer in brief
The Kings Canyon Rim Walk is a 6 km loop that usually takes around 3 to 4 hours and is graded Grade 4, moderate to difficult.
Heat and easier option
Browse 14 stops
Kings Canyon, the stays around it and the roads in
Choose a route, then tap a pin or stop for its note and a Google Maps link.
The car park is the trail head for most walks in the area, and the routes are colour coded.
Google MapsThe creek walk ends at a raised platform with a lookout and takes around 1 hour.
Google MapsA permanent waterhole shaded by exotic plants. It is a sacred spot for the Traditional Owners, so do not swim.
Google MapsOn the Rim Walk, the climb is followed by views from Cotterill's Lookout.
Google Maps
The resort has a swimming pool, tennis court, BBQ, laundry room and petrol station.
Google MapsThe resort lies 10 km from this car park and 7 km from the park entrance.
Google MapsA Grade 1 walk of 2.5 km return, very flat and wheelchair accessible.
Google MapsThe station lies 36 km from Kings Canyon and is closed from 1 November 2026 until 1 March 2027.
Google Maps
Kings Canyon is about 450 km south west of Alice Springs.
Google MapsMereenie Loop permits can be bought at the Hermannsburg General Store.
Google MapsFuel and limited supplies are sold at Glen Helen, Hermannsburg, Kings Creek Station and Kings Canyon Resort.
Google MapsThe unsealed Mereenie Loop ends here, between Kings Canyon Resort and the Larapinta Drive junction.
Google MapsCurtin Springs Station is a working cattle station and roadhouse on the Lasseter Highway.
Google MapsWatarrka National Park is only 3 hours' drive from Uluru.
Google Maps
Mapping data © OpenStreetMap contributors
The Kings Canyon Rim Walk is a loop along the top of the sandstone walls with a steep start and a rockhole halfway. Here is the distance, the time, the grade, the rules and the easier walk below.
Editorial team, kingscanyontour.com · Updated November 7, 2026 · ~6 min read
Main facts
- Distance and timeA loop of 6 km that usually takes around 3 to 4 hours.1
- GradeModerate to difficult, Grade 4, and it opens with a steep, challenging climb.1,2
- Halfway pointThe Garden of Eden rockhole sits about halfway, and swimming there is not permitted.2
- Heat ruleOn days forecast to reach 36 degrees Celsius or more, you must start before 9am.3
- Easier optionTourism NT gives the Kings Creek Walk as a 2 km return walk graded Level 2, easy, taking around 1 hour.4,5
The Rim Walk in plain numbers
Tourism NT describes the Kings Canyon Rim Walk as a loop of 6 km that usually takes around 3 to 4 hours, and grades it moderate to difficult, Grade 4.1 That grade says more than the distance does. The trail is a circuit, so you finish back at the car park where you began, and the effort is packed into the start and into the rocky ground along the top rather than spread evenly over the loop.
Our own listing gives the same walk as a 3.7-mile hike and says that the rim circuit takes 3 hours on the day. Those two sources sit inside the same range, which is a useful check on your planning: reckon on the low end if you walk steadily and stop only for photographs, and on the high end if you linger at the lookouts or wait for slower members of your group.
The rim walk at Kings Canyon lies in Australia's Northern Territory, in Watarrka National Park, and not in California where another Kings Canyon is better known.6 Tourism NT places Watarrka approximately 450 km south-west of Alice Springs, which tells you why most visitors reach the rim on a long day trip or an overnight stay and not on a casual detour.6
Red Centre walks side by side
How the rim compares with other long walks
| Walk | Distance | Time | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kings Canyon Rim Walk | 6 km loop1 | 3 to 4 hours1 | Grade 41 |
| Kings Creek Walk | 2 km return4 | 1 hour5 | Level 25 |
| Valley of the Winds, Kata Tjuta | 7.4 km loop8 | 3 to 4 hours10 | Grade 411 |
| Uluru base walk | 10.6 km loop9 | 3 hours 30 minutes9 | Grade 39 |
The grades are each park's own. Tourism NT and Parks Australia publish them on their pages, so read them as official labels and not as a ranking by us.1,11
The first climb sets the pace
How difficult is the Kings Canyon Rim Walk? Tourism NT says the walk begins with a steep and challenging climb and recommends it only for people who are fit and healthy.2 Once you reach the top, the trail follows the edge of the canyon and gives wide views across the desert and down into the sheltered creek below.1 The climb is the part that decides who enjoys the rest, so it pays to take it slowly and to use the first pause to settle your breathing before you go on.
Reviewers of our listing say the same thing in their own words. Several call the walk challenging, one says the first stretch of steps is the hardest part and not a reason to turn back, and one describes uneven ground, many steps and fantastic views along the top. Another notes that a reasonable level of fitness is needed and that there is a chance to opt out, which matches the listing's own offer of an easier, shorter walk.
A good rule is to treat the climb as the test. If you reach the top comfortably, the rest of the loop is a walk along the rim with long stretches of level rock and short ups and downs. If the climb leaves you in real distress, the easier walk on the canyon floor is the sensible alternative, and nobody on the rim will think less of you for choosing it.
Halfway: the Garden of Eden
About halfway around, the trail reaches the Garden of Eden, a tranquil rockhole surrounded by rare plant life, according to Tourism NT.2 After the bare, sun-baked rock of the top, the shade and the green edges of the pool come as a real contrast, and most walkers use the stop to sit, drink and eat something before the second half.
Swimming is not permitted in this waterhole, and the water is there to be looked at and left alone.2 It is the kind of rule that protects a fragile place, and it is worth explaining to children and to anyone who has read the word oasis and expects a swim. Our listing says that, time permitting, guests may choose to descend into the Garden of Eden, so the stop depends on how the group is moving that day.
The Garden of Eden is also the natural place to decide whether to carry on. If time is short or the heat is building, the guide on a group tour can tell you whether the pace allows the full circuit. On your own, watch the clock and the sky before you start the second half, because the way back is not shorter than the way you came.
A short chooser
Rim or creek floor?
Start from what you know about yourself on steps, in heat and over distance.
If I am fit and want the best views
The full rim circuit
It is a Grade 4 loop of 6 km along the top of the canyon.1
If Steps and climbs are a problem for me
The Kings Creek Walk
It is graded Level 2, easy, and flat through the riverbed.5,12
If I have children who tire quickly
The Kings Creek Walk
Tourism NT gives it as a 2 km return walk of around 1 hour.4,5
If The forecast is 36 degrees Celsius or more
An early start or the floor walk
Rim walkers must start before 9am on such days.3
If I only have one day from Ayers Rock Resort
Our 12-hour tour
It offers both the rim and an easier walk.
Ways to see the canyon
Rim, floor or air: pick your view
Easiest
The creek floor
On foot, below
- Distance2 km return
- TimeAround 1 hour
- GradeLevel 2
No walking
The helicopter flight
From the air
- Length15 minutes
- BoardingSteps and platforms
- CancelFree until 24 hours before
Shoes, water and an early start
Footwear is the one piece of kit the day cannot work without. Our listing says sturdy walking shoes are required and that shoes with heels, sandals, flip-flops and open toes are not permitted on the Rim Walk. The rock is uneven and stepped, so a closed shoe with a grip is a safety item and not a matter of style.
Tourism NT suggests an early start and aiming to finish before 10am to avoid the heat of the day, with lots of water and sun protection.31 In the hotter months, from September to April, it advises avoiding the middle of the day and considering shorter alternatives.35 The same body asks visitors at any time of year to keep hydrated, wear a hat, be sun smart and dress to the conditions.32
An early start also pays off in light. Tourism NT suggests an early start on the Rim Walk to catch the sunrise, and the low sun is kind to the red rock in photographs.36 The page on heat, closures and the best time goes through the months and the forecast rule in full, so use it before you pick a date.
Work out the bill
Compare ways to reach the rim
Pick how many are coming and see the from price for a single day and for a longer camping trip.
Choose from 2 options
Compare ways to reach the rim
Pick how many are coming and see the from price for a single day and for a longer camping trip.
- One day by coach12 hours · price per person from $242
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View - Three-day camping tour3 days · price per person from $557
≈
View
Currency conversion uses the ECB reference rate on GetYourGuide from-prices. The exact price is displayed when you book.
Our listing, in order
The rim day from Ayers Rock Resort
Pickup
Coach from the resort
The listing includes pickup from four points at Ayers Rock Resort.
Early drive
Breakfast on the way
The coach goes to Kings Creek Station for a cooked breakfast that the listing includes.
At the canyon
Choose your walk
Guests pick the Rim Walk or an easier, shorter walk on the canyon floor.
On the rim
The circuit
The listing says the rim circuit takes 3 hours.
Time permitting
Garden of Eden
Guests may go down into the Garden of Eden if time allows.
Afternoon
Lunch and the return
Lunch at the canyon is at your own cost, then the coach returns to the resort.
When the rim is too much: the creek floor
The Kings Creek Walk is the easy alternative. Tourism NT describes it as a 2 km return walk from the car park to a raised viewing platform, with views of the canyon's cliffs from the base of the gorge.4 It grades the trail Level 2, easy, and says it typically takes around 1 hour, with sturdy footwear recommended because of uneven surfaces.5
Tourism NT also calls it a flat, accessible alternative through the shade of the trees growing in the riverbed, which is why it suits families and anyone who wants to avoid steep climbs.12 The separate guide to the creek walk and the Garden of Eden on this site covers it in detail. On our tour you can pick the easier walk instead of the rim, because the listing offers a less strenuous option.
Choosing the creek floor is not second best. The cliffs look taller from below, the temperature on the shaded floor is easier to take, and the group tends to be back at the coach with time to rest. For someone who would struggle on the steps, it is the better way to see the canyon, not a lesser one.
Video
Kings Canyon, Australia: the Rim Walk that shocked us
James and Josie Travel on YouTube · The clip loads only after you tap play.
On days when the temperature is forecast to reach 36 C or higher, walkers must begin the Rim Walk before 9am.
Before you go
A checklist for the rim
Wear and carry3
Plan the day3
How the rim fits a day from Ayers Rock Resort
Our listing is a full-day tour of 12 hours from Ayers Rock Resort, with pickup included and a cooked breakfast at Kings Creek Station before the walk. The route runs by coach to the station, then to Kings Canyon for the walk, then lunch at the canyon and the coach back to the resort. The rim circuit is the main event, and the rest of the day is arranged around it.
Lunch is at the guest's own expense, and reviewers mention buying lunch at the resort or bringing their own. The park fee is separate too: the listing says guests on any tour into Watarrka National Park must hold an NT Parks Pass and asks them to pre-purchase it online, as the fee page on this site explains. The listing starts from $242, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before for a full refund.
Reviewers describe a very early start, a nap on the coach, a hot breakfast on the way and a day that ended in the late afternoon. All ten of the newest English reviews on file give five stars, and they praise the guides by name for knowledge and friendliness. The listing is rated 4.6 from 629 reviews.
FAQ
Short questions, short answers.
How long does the Kings Canyon Rim Walk take?
Around 3 to 4 hours.
Tourism NT gives a loop of 6 km that usually takes around 3 to 4 hours, and our listing says the rim circuit takes 3 hours.1
How hard is the Kings Canyon Rim Walk?
How far is the Kings Canyon Rim Walk?
A loop of 6 km.
Tourism NT gives a 6 km loop, and our listing describes a 3.7-mile hike.1
Can you swim in the Garden of Eden?
No, swimming is not permitted.
Tourism NT says swimming is not permitted in this waterhole.2
What shoes can you wear on the Rim Walk?
Sturdy walking shoes only.
Our listing does not permit shoes with heels, sandals, flip-flops or open toes on the Rim Walk.
Is there an easier walk at Kings Canyon?
Can you start the Rim Walk at any time?
Not on a hot day.
When the forecast reaches 36 degrees Celsius or higher, you must begin the walk before 9am.3
Do you need a park pass for the Rim Walk?
Yes, as a visitor to the NT.
Tourism NT says visitors to Watarrka National Park need an NT Parks Visitor Pass.33
Sources
- Tourism NT (northernterritory.com, Northern Territory Government tourism body) · Kings Canyon Rim Walk ↩
- Tourism NT (northernterritory.com, Northern Territory Government tourism body) · Kings Canyon Rim Walk ↩
- Tourism NT (northernterritory.com, Northern Territory Government tourism body) · Kings Canyon Rim Walk ↩
- Tourism NT (northernterritory.com, Northern Territory Government tourism body) · Kings Creek Walk ↩
- Tourism NT (northernterritory.com, Northern Territory Government tourism body) · Kings Creek Walk ↩
- Tourism NT (northernterritory.com, Northern Territory Government tourism body) · Kings Canyon Rim Walk ↩
- Parks Australia (parksaustralia.gov.au) · Valley of the Winds walks ↩
- Parks Australia (parksaustralia.gov.au) · Valley of the Winds walks ↩
- Parks Australia (parksaustralia.gov.au) · Uluru base walk ↩
- Parks Australia (parksaustralia.gov.au) · Valley of the Winds walks ↩
- Parks Australia (parksaustralia.gov.au) · Valley of the Winds walks ↩
- Tourism NT (northernterritory.com, Northern Territory Government tourism body) · Drive the Red Centre Way from Alice Springs ↩
- Tourism Central Australia · Kings Canyon hikes and walks
- Tourism Central Australia · Kings Canyon hikes and walks
- Tourism Central Australia · Kings Canyon hikes and walks
- Tourism Central Australia · Kings Canyon hikes and walks
- Tourism Central Australia · Kings Canyon hikes and walks
- Discovery Resorts · Kings Canyon
- Tourism Central Australia · Kings Canyon hikes and walks
- Tourism Central Australia · Kings Canyon hikes and walks
- Kings Creek Station · Accommodation
- Kings Creek Station · Welcome to Kings Creek Station
- Tourism Central Australia · Kings Canyon dining
- Discovery Resorts · Kings Canyon
- Tourism Central Australia · Kings Canyon region guide
- Tourism Central Australia · Permits
- Tourism Central Australia · The Mereenie Loop
- Tourism Central Australia · Permits
- Tourism NT · The Red Centre Way in 6 days
- Tourism NT · Kings Canyon and Watarrka National Park
- Tourism NT (northernterritory.com, Northern Territory Government tourism body) · Uluru & Kings Canyon in 4 days ↩
- Tourism NT (northernterritory.com, Northern Territory Government tourism body) · Weather & seasons in the Northern Territory ↩
- Tourism NT (northernterritory.com, Northern Territory Government tourism body) · Kings Canyon Rim Walk ↩
- Tourism NT (northernterritory.com, Northern Territory Government tourism body) · Kings Canyon Rim Walk ↩
- Tourism NT (northernterritory.com, Northern Territory Government tourism body) · Kings Canyon Rim Walk ↩
- Tourism NT (northernterritory.com, Northern Territory Government tourism body) · Kings Canyon Rim Walk ↩
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