Important Warning: Hike at Your Own Risk. Mount Barney presents a remote hiking environment. Your safety is your responsibility. Rescues can be challenging and may be delayed due to poor weather conditions. Be prepared for an extended stay overnight by carrying appropriate survival gear.
Standing at 1359 metres, Mount Barney is Queensland's fourth-highest peak and widely considered one of its most magnificent mountains. Part of the McPherson Range, it offers a formidable challenge for experienced bushwalkers and climbers. This is not a hike for beginners.
Several established walking tracks lead up and around Mount Barney, but none are easy. All routes demand a good level of fitness, advanced navigation skills, and the ability to scramble over rocks. The most common route, Mount Barney via Southeast and Peasant Ridge, is described here due to its popularity, but be warned: this hike is for highly experienced individuals only. Sadly, some people have gone missing or died attempting this trek.
The route ascends the Southeast Ridge to the summit before descending to Rum Jungle and continuing down the South Ridge (Peasant Ridge). This path is likely the most challenging summit climb in Queensland, requiring significant rock scrambling and climbing along exposed ridges. It should not be underestimated.
The initial ascent from the car park and Yellow Pinch gate involves dense bushland, eventually giving way to faint trails along exposed cliff edges. Breathtaking views unfold as you gain altitude, and reaching the eastern summit makes the effort worthwhile. Take a moment to savour the accomplishment and enjoy a snack before continuing your descent.
Don't be misled into thinking the toughest part is over upon reaching the summit. The descent into Rum Jungle, then down to the Mount Barney summit saddle and along the South Ridge, is equally demanding.
Experienced bushwalkers should plan for a 7-9 hour journey in good conditions, while those with average fitness levels may require 10 hours. Come prepared with ample water, a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), and strong navigational skills, as trails can become faint at times.
An alternative option in the region is the Lower Portals track. This is the best-marked track in the park, but still requires Grade 4 hiking experience. The 7.5km return trip leads to a spectacular waterhole featuring a cave, waterfall, and towering 30-metre cliffs.
Mount Barney Summit Routes
Reaching the summit of Mount Barney requires traversing routes specifically designed for experienced, not casual walkers. These routes are not suitable for young children or anyone who lacks the fitness and skill to climb unassisted. The challenging terrain features long stretches of very steep and rocky sections, with loose stones creating uneven footing. Unlike marked walking tracks, summit routes are undefined and require navigational aids such as GPS or topographical maps to stay on course. See routes below.
South Ridge Summit Route (16km return)
The South Ridge route (also known as Peasants Ridge) to Mount Barney's East Peak is a demanding journey of 8-10 hours, requiring a full day for the return trip. Hikers can expect a sustained, strenuous climb along the ridge, including sections that are very steep and require multiple ascents. Due to the presence of cliff edges and loose scree, which can make the path slippery, caution is essential throughout. Upon reaching Mount Barney Saddle, a further 267 metres of elevation gain separates you from the 1354-meter summit of East Peak. Budget up to 1.5 hours for this final ascent. Descend via the same route, following directional markers as you leave the saddle. Be prepared for a short climb over a small knoll before rejoining the descent path.
South East Ridge Summit Route (5km one-way)
The South East Ridge route offers a quicker path to Mount Barney's East Peak compared to the South Ridge, taking 7-9 hours for the round trip. However, this advantage comes at the cost of significantly steeper terrain. This route demands a higher level of fitness and strong rock scrambling and climbing abilities. Due to the technical difficulty, climbing with a qualified and experienced leader is highly recommended. The South East Ridge is a challenging ascent with steep sections, exposed rock faces, and sheer cliff edges. Wet weather can make the rocky slabs treacherous. Particular caution is necessary when traversing the narrow ridge and the rock slab near the summit, where a significant drop is present. For safety reasons, ropes are advised for some steeper sections, especially when carrying a heavy backpack. Descending via the South East Ridge is strongly discouraged due to its extreme difficulty.
Alternate Summit Spurs
There are a number of spurs leading to the summit so both East and West Peaks. Savages Ridge (leading to West peak), Mezzanine Ridge and Logans Ridge (leading to East Peak). These are demanding routes that are not recommended and have not been detailed here.
Main image:Kate Harbison, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Important Information for Summit Routes:
Difficulty: Summit routes are not walking tracks. They require a high level of fitness, experience with rock scrambling, and the ability to climb unassisted. These routes are unsuitable for young children or inexperienced hikers.
Terrain: Expect long sections of steep, rocky terrain with loose stones and uneven surfaces. Summit routes are unmarked and require navigational aids like GPS or topographical maps.
South Ridge and South East Ridge Routes: These routes have some directional markers at key points. Note the marker codes, as knowing your location can be crucial in an emergency.
Safety:
- Take care to avoid dislodging rocks that could injure people below. Shout warnings if you accidentally dislodge rocks.
- Do not linger in the ‘No waiting’ zone. If you don't continue with your group, descend immediately to exit the high-risk area.
- Hike with an experienced group leader who sets a pace suitable for the least experienced climber. Pushing limits can lead to serious injuries.
- Never attempt summit routes in wet weather when surfaces are slippery and dangerous.
- Allow ample time to return before dark. Descending can take twice as long as ascending.
Hazards:
- Steep, exposed rock faces and slabs
- Slippery rocks, especially in wet conditions
- Loose rocks and debris that can fall at any time
- Heat exhaustion and dehydration
- Poor visibility due to mist or fading daylight
Please don’t copy GPX files or content from this site to AllTrails or other platforms. Each trail has been personally mapped, documented, and refined to support Australia’s bushwalking and hiking community. While some details come from land managers, every listing reflects significant personal effort. This is a free, community-driven initiative—your respect helps keep it that way.
South East and South Ridge Summit Loop
Descending via South East Ridge summit route is not recommended. It is a very steep and difficult descent.
Total distance: 12976 m
Max elevation: 1335 m
Min elevation: 240 m
Total climbing: 1256 m
Total descent: -1257 m
South Ridge Summit Return
Total distance: 16240 m
Max elevation: 1323 m
Min elevation: 240 m
Total climbing: 1280 m
Total descent: -1281 m
Getting to the trailhead: Mount Barney National Park.
To reach the Mount Barney trailhead at Yellow Pinch Car Park, navigate to Upper Logan Road using your preferred mapping app. This scenic route is accessible by conventional vehicles. From either direction on the Mount Lindesay Highway, turn onto Barney View Road near Palen Creek. After following Barney View Road for a short while, take a left turn onto Upper Logan Road. Continue for approximately 25 minutes, passing Barney View and Mount Barney Lodge along the way. You’ll arrive at the Yellow Pinch Car Park on your left-hand side. Park your car and look for signage to direct you towards your chosen walking track.
Closest towns to this walk: Barney View, Beaudesert, Boona, Boonah, Canungra, Harrisville, Kalbar, Mount Barney, Rathdowney, Wonglepong
Mount Barney National Park, a World Heritage Site encompassed by the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia, boasts a dramatic landscape. Roughly 120km southwest of Brisbane along the Mount Lindesay Highway, the park is dominated by the rugged peaks of Mounts Barney, Maroon, May, Lindesay, Ernest, Ballow and Clunie. These peaks are remnants of the ancient Focal Peak Shield Volcano, which erupted a staggering 24 million years ago. Notably, Mount Barney holds the title of second-highest peak in Southeast Queensland.
Within the park's boundaries lie cascading creeks and pristine rainforests that provide sanctuary for a wealth of rare plants and vulnerable animals. Visitors seeking a relaxed experience can explore the Yellow Pinch picnic area, where kingfishers flit above the water's surface. For seasoned hikers, the opportunity awaits to ascend the park's sheer peaks and be rewarded with awe-inspiring views of craggy ridges and distant ranges. Less adventurous visitors can enjoy several moderate walking tracks that weave around the base of the mountains.
The park's diverse vegetation ranges from open forests at the foothills to subtropical rainforests above 600 metres and montane heath shrublands closer to the summits. Interestingly, the summit of Mount Ballow features cool temperate rainforest, while Mount Maroon boasts mallee eucalypt shrublands.
A botanical haven, the park offers refuge to numerous rare and unusual plant species. Among these are the endangered Mount Maroon wattle (Acacia saxicola), the near-threatened bell-fruited mallee (Eucalyptus codonocarpa), the vulnerable bush pea (Pultenaea whiteana), and the Hillgrove gum (Eucalyptus michaeliana).
Encompassing a significant portion of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area, Mount Barney National Park provides a network of four established and graded walking tracks. These tracks offer the chance to appreciate the park's beauty, including its cascading creeks and pockets of subtropical rainforest, without requiring an ascent of the mountains. All four tracks are classified as grade 4, so choose the one that best suits your group's fitness level. Remember to avoid hiking during the hottest part of the day.
Looking for more walks in or near Mount Barney National Park? Try these trails with a similar difficulty grade.
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Grade 5 (Difficult) - Walks for the Most Experienced: Grade 5 represents the most challenging walking tracks on the
AWTGS. These are only recommended for very experienced and fit walkers with specialised skills, including navigation and emergency first aid. Tracks are likely to be very rough, very steep, and unmarked. Walks may be more than 20 kilometers. These challenging walks demand a high level of fitness and experience to navigate difficult terrain, significant elevation changes, and potentially unformed paths.
Plan ahead and hike safely! Carry enough water, pack layers for changing conditions, and bring safety gear like a torch, PLB, and reliable communication device. Check official sources for trail updates, closures, and access requirements, and review local weather and bushfire advice. Most importantly, share your plans with someone before you go. Being prepared makes for a safer and more enjoyable hike! Stay Safe, Explore More, and Always #ExploreSafe.
What you carry in your pack depends on factors like weather, terrain, and your adventure type. Not sure what to bring? My free planning, food, and packing checklists are a great starting point, covering day hikes, overnight trips, and multi-day adventures. Use them to customise your kit and always prioritise safety.
Before heading out, take a moment to fill out your trip intentions form. It’s a quick way to share your hike details with family or friends. If something goes wrong, they can notify emergency services, ensuring a faster response and peace of mind. Stay safe and enjoy your adventure
Spotted a change on this trail? Maybe there are new features, the route has shifted, or the trail is permanently closed. Whatever the update, I’d love your input. Your feedback helps fellow hikers stay informed and ensures that our trail info stays fresh and reliable.
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9 Reviews on “Mount Barney Summit Hike (15km)”
If 5 stars means ‘super fuckinghard’, 5 stars it is. I’ve done Mt Bartle Frere and Mt Halifax twice each, and this was by far the hardest and way scariest. Exposed outcrops on ridges with 300m drops on both sides – i think the angels were looking after me because heavy cloud cover blanketed my views at the scariest sections and while I *knew* one false step could see me plummeting to my step, I couldn’t see more than a few metres and I could delude myself that there was no deadly drop in my vicinity. Had there been a clear view of my doomawaiting me, I might have cried and begged for a helicopter. Bring ropes!!!!! the down was quite hectic too, but any slips would at most be a coule of metres and a broken bones at worst, Watch the changing vegetation – from lowland schlerophyll forest (gum trees) to conifers (native pines), mosses and ancient forest remants from the gondwanaland super continent. Hard but amazing.
David Scallion… hopefully next time on the scenic rim!
Sam Dermody – an alternative?