Guide to Climbing the Glasshouse Mountains
We are spoilt for choice when it comes to outdoor activities here on the Sunshine Coast, especially when it comes to climbing mountains! The Glasshouse Mountains on the southern Sunshine Coast is home to thirteen mountains or hills of which most have trails up them. There are four most commonly climbed mountains and they’re all equally spectacular in their own ways. Below is some information on each of the climbs and my tips for conquering Beerwah and Tibrogargan.
Mount Ngungun
Ngungun has fast become the most popular mountain on the Sunshine Coast and for good reason. The trail has recently been upgraded to make it a fairly easy 2.8km return hike. Depending on your fitness level you should reach the summit in around 20-40 minutes. You begin walking through forest with ferns in every direction. Half way up you are greeted with a fantastic view of Mount Tibrogagran and a small rock overhang which is sacred to the Aboriginal people in the area so please don’t climb into it. When you reach the summit you’ll be rewarded with 360 degree views of the surrounding Glasshouse Mountains and if you’ve decided to go late in the afternoon the sunset is pretty incredible from up there!
Wildhorse Mountain
Wild Horse Mountain is another of the Glasshouse Mountains that is great to watch the sunset from. It’s a steep 700 metre paved pathway and when you reach the top be rewarded with breathtaking 360-degree panoramic views across Pumicestone Passage and Bribie and Moreton Islands. The forest stretches below as a sea of green and the unique shape of the Glasshouse Mountains are silhouetted as the sun sets behind them. On a clear day, you can see Brisbane skyline.
Mount Tibrogargan
Affectionately called Tibro by the locals, this mountain is one of the most difficult to climb on the coast. If it’s your first time climbing it I cannot suggest enough to climb with someone who has been up it before. You need a decent fitness level, some shoes with good grip and a backpack or something to carry some water, phone etc. The hike starts by walking along a path with a gradual incline until you turn off the main path onto the summit track. Once you start the summit track it gets fairly steep winding up to the base of the rock face and has a lot of loose rocks which can be easy to roll your ankle on. Once you reach the face of the mountain it’s a rock scramble from there to the summit.
Here are my tips for conquering Tibro:
Be smart and use common sense. A lot of people have got into trouble on this mountain so be careful and climb with a friend who’s done it before.
Trust your body and know your limits. If you aren’t confident or feel like you’re slipping it’s best to get down safely.
When you reach the beginning of the rock face, a lot of people will climb straight up the left side but the right side of the wall has the best foot and hand holds. The second vertical rock face is the hardest part of the mountain. There isn’t an easier way up this part. I climb this part by zig zagging moving firstly to the right.
After you get up the second steep section you can stick to the right side of the mountain and there will be more of a proper path for a few metres.
Once you get half way up the mountain the hardest part is over. The rest of the mountain is still very steep, slippery and challenging but follow the path and it’s straight forward where to go.
Once you reach the summit walk over to the other side of the mountain for the view everyone knows Tibro for.
On the way down take it slow and follow the exact same path as you did coming up.
Mount Beerwah
Beerwah is the tallest mountain on the Sunshine Coast sitting at a towering 556m and therefore is the most difficult to climb. If you have climbed Tibro before you will have no worries getting up Beerwah but if it’s your first time I do highly recommend climbing with a friend who’s done it before. You will need a good level of fitness, shoes with good grip and something to carry water and your belongings in. Beerwah could take anywhere from 1.5 hours to 3 or more hours depending on your fitness level, how long you spend on the mountain and how comfortable you are rock scrambling.
Here are my tips for climbing Mount Beerwah:
Always ensure there is enough day light to get up and down the mountain before beginning.
Be smart and use common sense. A lot of people have got into trouble on this mountain so be careful and climb with a friend who’s done it before.
Trust your body and know your limits. If you aren’t confident or feel like you’re slipping it’s best to get down safely.
Follow the path to the base of the mountain. Once you reach the rock face it’s straight up from there. The first part is by far the most difficult but there are good feet and hand holds. You will get to a large hole 3/4 of the way up this part which is quite difficult to get past. You need to use your upper body at this point to help pull yourself up.
If you’re unable to get up the first part of the climb there is an easy track. If you go back down the stairs and turn right there’s a track that takes you into the bushes and up the mountain to where step 4 above comes out as well.
Once you get up the first part, don’t go straight up the groove in the mountain. Stick to the right and climb up and over.
After you reach the next flat standing point there is another steep incline. Looking at the face of the mountain, go all the way to the right and there is much easier defined tracks to climb up rather than trying to climb straight up.
After that part, stick all the way to the left and that will take you to the top of the rock face.
From here on it’s straight forward to follow the path up the rest of the mountain. Be sure to stop at the caves half way up as it’s a pretty epic sight.
The last difficult spot to get up is not far after you come out of the caves there’s a large rock that you have to get on top of. I’m a small human so I climb just down to the right to another rock and am able to wedge my body in the groove and shimmy my way up it. Otherwise get someone to give you a boost and you’ll be fine.
After you’ve got past that you’ll have no worries getting to the summit.
Follow the same path on the way down and I suggest taking the easy track right at the end.
I hope that some of these tips are helpful for you when climbing the Glasshouse Mountains. Stay safe out there and have fun!