One of four bluffs on the Asgard Plateau mostly named after Norse mythology by Myles Dunphy in the 1960s, Ikara Head is above a right-angled bend in the Grose River. It offers extensive views over the upper reaches of the Grose Valley.
Directly opposite is Wilkinson Hill, with its distinctive little pagoda standing out like a pimple above the tall cliffs of the Grose Gorge.
The cliffs above the Grose Valley extend to the south, with Dalpura Head and Birabang Walls on the opposite side.
Ikara Head is said to have been named by Dunphy after the Aboriginal name for a throwing stick or club, presumably based on the shape of the long ridge and headland. However, the linguistic origin of the word is unknown (in the Adnyamathanha language used in the Flinders Ranges “ikara” means “meeting place”, but there is no reference to the word meaning “throwing stick” or club in any Aboriginal language).
Getting to Ikara Head
There is a bushwalking track all the way along Ikara Neck to Ikara Head from Victoria Falls Road, which is a very pleasant walk along the ridge.
A short detour below the top of the ridge goes to Giraween Cave.
There is very limited parking at the start of the trail; the alternative is to park at the signposted Asgard Swamp Fire Trail and walk back up Victoria Falls Road.
You can also access Ikara Head from Asgard Head (Asgard Head to Ikara Head bushwalk) which involves a longer, full-day walk with a short off-track section). There is a steep “climbers track” which climbs up to the top of Ikara Neck via a narrow pass on the eastern side, which would enable a loop rather than doing this as an “out and back” walk.
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