Overall Rating: 5/5
A short climb balanced perfectly with breathtaking views and fun scrambles
Distance
2.9 km return, 2-3 hours
Elevation
300 m elevation gain, 550m above sea level
Difficulty
Grade 5 classification - Hard
Technicality
Not suitable if you're afraid of heights, strong scrambling skills recommended for the first section.
What to bring & preparation
at least 1.5 L water (definitely more in summer), shoes with a thin sole/good grip. Do NOT attempt this climb if it has been raining or rain is forecasted, aim to start early in the day as the slab can get quite hot in the sun.
Views
5/5 stars
Hike notes
It's worth noting straight off the bat that this mountain is not for those who are unsure of their ability to perform on exposed slabs. All my trips to Beerwah have involved us helping people who have "frozen" on the slabs and aren't mentally capable of moving up or down. Thankfully one of my hiking partners has the physical strength of a demigod, as he has had to help numerous strangers lower themselves when they can't find their next handhold and panic starts to set in. Further to this point, if you are wanting to climb Beerwah for the first time, I HIGHLY recommend you enlist a hiking buddy (preferably someone who has climbed it before). Sometimes a set of eyes from below are necessary in helping you identify your next hand hold if you're a little shaky or unsure.
Having said this, the best way to learn whether you're vertically inclined is to just give it a go. The beauty of Mount Beerwah is you usually find out on the first slab or 'chicken fence' whether you are capable of summiting. Just be wary of your limits, and if doubt sets in early, don't push yourself past your threshold as whatever you climb up - you also need to find your way down. Beerwah and Tibrogargan are notorious for helicopter rescues, which usually occur as a result of people not respecting their own limits and biting off more than they can chew. If you feel unsure but still want a steep climb with hand usage without the fear of exposure - try Mount Cooroora (an hour further north) which is similar in steepness, however stairs and chains have been put in place as an aid to the summit. If you're not fussed on getting your hands dirty at all - try Mount Ngungun, the smaller and easier peak of the Glasshouse mountains.
Although the trail is steep, navigation is relatively easy. To find the carpark, you can simply follow Google maps onto 'Mt Beerwah Road' and eventually you'll come to the trailhead carpark. The road is sealed and suitable for all vehicle types. There is an information board at the base of the mountain that shows the general contour of the mountain that you follow to the summit. There are, however, multiple routes up the mountain. So use every flat section to your advantage to visualise the easiest route for you up the rock faces. If you don't take stock of where you are and where you are moving, it is quite easy to follow hand and foot holds off route - which risks you accidentally climbing yourself into a more exposed spot than necessary. There are plenty of little ledges along the way for you to plan ahead, or have a quick rest and enjoy your surroundings.
As you start at the trail head a brief walk through wet eucalyptus forest opens up to a very smooth, steep rock face. This is a fun little scramble but good hand and foot holes are very few and far between, so it can be a little tricky if you don't move quickly. If you have complete faith in the grip in your shoes you really can just 'mountain goat' walk up it, leaning forward. If the smoothness and steepness of it all together is just not for you - there is an alternative track. If you follow the trail back through the forest (about 40 metres) there is an alternative trail that veers off to the left. This brings you to a slab with a few more hand and foot holds which is a lot less smooth. Both of these tracks bring you to roughly the same area, but as aforementioned there are various climbing routes. There are very faint yellow paint marks that indicate where the main trail is, but planned and thoughtful movements up the slabs are almost certain to keep you on the main trail.
After a fun and strenuous scramble, the rock faces level out to a flat trail of beautiful white sand, and towering overhead are the giant dramatic columns known as the 'organ pipes'. There are various little caves on this flat sandy area, so if time permits, take a few photos and have a poke around. This section of the hike also signifies that you have completed the most strenuous part of the climb, and from here out you are mostly following a well worn walking trail (sans a few very small scrambling sections). Trail markers and an obvious worn path lead you to the right, under the organ pipes for the last leg of the ascent.
Following the worn trail up to the summit gives you more time to appreciate the views, as you're no longer assessing the rock wall for a viable route. This relatively flat trail gracefully winds up to the summit providing you with breathtaking panoramic views of your surroundings. For those who have made the trip up early morning, low lying mist usually hangs around this section offering you a fake sense of true altitude. At the highest point in the Glasshouse Mountains, the views of Mount Coonowrin, Mount Tibrogargan and Mount Ngungun against the vibrant plantations and ocean backdrop are not something you will soon forget.
There is limited shade cover at the summit so after a lengthy photoshoot hikers usually don't waste much time in tackling the descent. From those I've talked to, some gravely fear the descent while others find it vastly easier. I'd recommend not wearing your best pair of gym shark leggings if the idea of the descent scares you as you will likely be scooting down on your bum for a large percentage of it. Try to identify the path you took up to ensure you're not unwittingly charging toward an exposed rock face. Not following my own advice, on my latest trip to Beerwah I thought skirting around the initial smooth slab on descent would shave a few minutes off climbing time. It did not, as I worked myself onto a vertical face a few metres above the base of the mountain. Luckily, my hyper-patient hiking buddies literally fashioned a human ladder to pick me off the ledge. Not my proudest moment! So heed the warning from my impatience.
Mount Beerwah is considered at "grade 5" walking track and based on the rate of rescues I think it should be treated as such. Undoubtedly beautiful, Beerwah has features evocative of a larger peak - steep slabs, caves and an impressive ridge line that are served in a bite-size three hour climb. If you're game, this is an incredibly memorable little mountain.