Gruelling Bluff Knoll hike this year’s outdoor test for Mt Lockyer Primary School Year 6 students

Nearly 100 Year 6 students from Mt Lockyer Primary School have tackled the gruelling 6.8km Bluff Knoll hike as part of an annual outdoor challenge.

Bluff Knoll, the highest peak in the Stirling Range National Park, was a big test for the students on September 13.

The hike is part of an annual tradition for the primary school’s Year 6 classes, designed to encourage resiliency and challenge students.

Each year a different activity is decided on, with previous graduating classes camping, playing laser tag and other outdoor activities.

Arriving at the carpark at the trailhead, children were accompanied by seven staff and 14 parent helpers for the climb that took some groups nearly four hours to complete.

Teacher Tynan Simonjoki said the weather was reasonably warm the day of the hike, about 19C, and was a bit windy towards the top of the mountain that sits at 1098m above sea level and is the highest peak in the national park and the Great Southern.

The climb to the top was the first for some students, while others found the hike tricky but rewarding once they reached the summit with their friends.