Saddle Mountain

Getting there

Drive to the James Cook University and park in the northern carpark. You will see a dirt bike track that leads into a large open field just below the mountain range.

Route/Trail notes

Follow the bike track/fire trail over the bridge and into the bushland. Once there the road will begin veering off to the left and you will follow until you see another firetrail on your right that ascends the range. The majority of the walk will be along this fire-trail. You will see a BMX bicycle track that runs parallel to the dirt road most of the way up. Eventually you will reach a small clearing (that looks a bit like a mini roundabout) where you will find a footpad cut into the rainforest - this is the track that will lead you to the summit. The track is very easy to follow but does become quite steep. In wet conditions prepare for this track to be very muddy and slippery. Upon reaching the summit you will find a fenced off Radar Station that you will need to walk to the right of to get to some outcrops where you can enjoy the view from. Don't go any further (towards Kuranda) as there are lots of signs indicating it is private property beyond the summit.

Permits/Costs

Free

Other References

https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/australia/queensland/saddle-mountain-summit?mobileMap=false&ref=sidebar-static-map

GPS Tracks

No GPS available for this walk yet.

Comments

Enjoyable walk, was steeper than I expected it to be. The firetrail was pretty draining but its the section after that is the most exhausting. A tree had falled over the track when I went which required me to crawl on my stomach to get under it (as the vegetation was too thick to go over or around it). Besides that the track was really well maintained. Nice views from the top, although a little annoying you have to skirt around the radar station fence to get to them. Not really any views on the way up until you get to the summit.
Vonsnrub on 19 Jul, 2021