Mt Maroon

GPS Tracks

Mount Maroon (GPX)

Mt Maroon provides some of the best views in South-East Queensland, with a 360 degree views ranging from Lamington NP through Mt Barney, the length of Main Range and the Moogerah Peaks.

No facilties on site, be sure to bring toilet paper etc.
Bring plenty of water and food/snacks.

Lookouts

Scrambling or Climbing

Navigation Required

Eucalypt Forest

960m

Maximum Elevation

660m

Total Climb

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Getting there

The track leaves from the end of Cotswold Rd which turns South of Boonah-Rathdowney Rd 2.7km East of Maroon township. The track ends at a small dam about 3.5km from the turnoff.

Maps

The Maroon 1:25000 covers the area.

Route/Trail notes

Follow the open hill just south-west of the dam. A reasonably clear track leads up the hill reasonably quickly (I wouldn't say it's steep, but if you've been doing graded tracks it'll get the heart pumping... ok, it's fairly steep!).

This track leads into a gully with some spectacular cliffs off to the right. If you're into rock climbing this cliff offers some good options. Just search for Ruby of India to get started.

Climb up the gully, taking care not to dislodge rocks down on your fellow hikers. At the top of the gully a track leads through a small area of vegetation before emerging at the base of the main, bald peak. Simply wind your way up this peak to the large cairn at the top and enjoy the views.

There are some trail markers along the way - orange triangles - but you should have reasonable navigation skills to attempt this one.

GPS Tracks

Mount Maroon (GPX)

Comments

Steve and I did this on a Monday. We saw five other hiker(s). I did it very slowly and sat down often for rests. I'm 62 and do park run every week, so fairly fit, but not a regular on hard hikes. It was a long slow slog, but the views are extraordinary. We encountered a group of five teenagers with a boom box and the track and summit, but they left the summit after we arrived and were nice enough to take our photo. We were chuffed to do this together! Even though it is an easy walk for Steve.
Kaz Manley on 16 Sep, 2024

Great hike. Love the rock scrambling. Too much cloud at the top for any decent views.
Chris Park on 20 Aug, 2024

I'm obese, terribly unfit and terrified of heights. It took me 7.5 hours to do this hike but I got an immense sense of achievement when it was done. My hiking pole was the best. Glad I wore shoes with good grips. Deep breaths to conquer fears when going up the rock scramble.
Anonymous on 13 Jul, 2024

Loved it!! Pretty intense cardio but not technically difficult. Bit more difficult to follow the orange triangles on the way down. Wonderful 360 views at the true summit.
meg on 11 Jun, 2024

Tough one. Took me nearly four hours being very carful going up and down. Take plenty of water. Easy to find dirt road not too bad and trail is generally easy to follow. I’m not the biggest fan of scrambling but there’s no exposure and I was able to do it no problem.
pulsade on 2 Apr, 2024

With two boys 12 and 9 years old, we took 4 hours return. The end of the trail, it is very challenging.
Penny on 29 Sep, 2023

The track is well marked and can be done without GPS in about 2 hours up and 1.5 down without rushing it. The views from the top are very good and unobstructed 360 view.
I am 60 and not very fit and whilst I was huffin and puffin, it can be done, just take lots of water.
Jozef KESEG on 9 Sep, 2023

This is an awesome hike/climb! Steep, rock scrambling, tough but fun!! Took us 4 hours return. Lots of pictures to take and the views at the top are amazing.
Sonja Wentzel on 24 Jun, 2023

1hr 20mins up
ShaveenKateleen on 17 Jun, 2023

What a great hike! Did this one solo.
Lots of uphill...597m...with heaps of rock scrambling, which made it fun. Much better than a boring fire trail.
Awesome views at the top, although it was a bit overcast & windy when I got up there.
4 hour round trip for me. 2 hours going up at a steady pace with a few stops to catch my breath & take some photos. 1.5 hours coming back down. Only slipped on my butt once haha
Suz on 4 Mar, 2023

Couldn't quite make the distance this time, after getting lost on the wrong side of the actual track; had to backtrack some distance and then ran out of steam near the top. Still, it was spectacular and quite the challenge on fitness and knees. Back for another attempt soon.
Carmen on 4 Mar, 2023

The walk up was mesmerising with beautiful views at various points. The rock scramble up to the top was very fun and looked stunning with the shrubbery and shade. The views from the top are stunning especially the view of Mt. Barney. All in all was a wonderful morning adventure.
James Stacey on 28 Jan, 2023

Steep but very rewarding highly recommend. The views from the summit are spectacular and really put in perspective the titan that is Mt Barney.
David Pawley on 30 Dec, 2022

Challenging walk. Really gets your heart pumping on the way up and hard on the knees on the way down but rewarding when you see the stunning mountain ranges around it. Being well equipped with water, snacks, first aid kit, hat and hiking boots a must.
Lauren on 15 Oct, 2022

Hard on the heart going up. Hard on the knees going down. Absolutely worth it. Spectacular 360 deg views
Mark Collinson on 4 Oct, 2022

Fourth time up. Always impressive always a hard slog up and a harder slog down. Awesome views.
ian parker on 30 Jul, 2022

Challenging climb to do in the dark with many steep rocky sections. Took off at 3:45 and ended up taking us about 2 hours and then a 6:45 sunrise. Going down was about 1.5 hours for 3 reasonably fit guys in running shoes. Wind was pretty crazy up the top, layers and gloves recommended for winter.
Matt Feros on 15 Jul, 2022

Very easy walk. The most challenging part of the hike is finding a car park. There is very limited spots in awkward locations. It is not a normal carpark and you may find yourself parking between some trees on the side of the dirt road somewhere. Also be warned there are literally no facilities, not even a toilet. Make sure you go beforehand.

The scrambling section is not exposed nor technical. There is no danger of losing your life or falling off a sheer cliff. If the idea of scrambling puts you off, do not worry, this is very simple and as long as you follow the path it is very acheiveable.

The view of Mt. Barney from the summit was great. Makes for dramatic photos.
We completed the hike in 4 hours instead of the suggested 6 hours that the national park website claims. This included liberalwater breaks and a 35 minute lunch stop.
Andy on 16 Apr, 2022

Another stellar morning on maroon. Fog masked the sunrise but still a pristine climb.
Although this hike is mega popular, you should still be respecting the serenity of other hikers… so leave your bloody drones at home. Nothing worse than making the effort to get up at 2 am and climb a mountain for sunrise just to listen to the constant whirring of drones in your ear. Never been more in a rush to leave a summit.
Amanda J on 3 Apr, 2022