Mt Gower Hike - Lord Howe Island
- James Barraclough
- Feb 9
- 4 min read
Mt Gower Hike - Lord Howe Island
Mt Gower. A behemoth. Hiking it to the summit is not to be taken lightly, but if you have the chance, like a challenge and are reasonably fit, it is a hike well worth taking on. Rated in the best 100 walks by Australian Geographic, this walk has it all.
Amazing views, an ever changing landscape, vegetation that can only be found on Mt Gower, varying birdlife, expert local knowledge guiding you along the way and definitely something to tell your friends about afterwards. It's a photographers paradise, but you need to be quick as the guide and group won't wait for you to compose the perfect shot!
I have been lucky enough to complete this hike twice. Once each with the two companies offering the chance to complete this walk. Yes, it is only available as a guided walk and for good reason.
You are on a remote island, trekking in pristine wilderness, on an essentially unmarked track, with steep rope assisted sections. If something goes wrong, getting help is a real issue. Yes, serious hikers could do it without a guide, but please, get over it and just enjoy the hike!
You can book with either Sea to Summit Expeditions and their experienced guide Jack Shick on Monday and Thursday or Lord Howe Environmental Tours with their experienced guides Dean Hiscox or daughter Kayla on Wedesday and Friday. Groups tend to be a maximum of around 8-12 people so spots are limited and ideally you will want to book in advance to make sure you dont miss out.
You will hike from sea level to 875m over approximately 5km giving your cardio fitness a real challenge, before doing it all in reverse and hoping your legs don't turn to jelly on the way down. Given the first 1.8km is at sea level, it is really an 875m elevation gain over 3.2km. That's a constant grade of 27%.
The start is a beautiful walk through palm trees, past some of the biggest Banyon trees you will ever see and over a section of large volcanic boulders along the lagoon. A beautiful walk to do even if you don't decide to take on the mountain.
A short vertical climb gives you an idea of what you might be up for before the walk flattens out again. Here, Jack might show you how to climb a palm tree to collect seeds and give you the chance to embarass yourself if you want to try for yourself.
Now it's time to don helmets to protect from potential small falling rocks as you navigate your way along a thin path on Mt Lidgbird. A 100m drop to the ocean below and sheer cliff face above, with rope to hold onto, if you feel the need. There are some great views back towards the Island along this path.
Traverse completed, you will make your way around to Erskine's creek where you can have a quick rest and refill your water bottle from the fresh running water.
The views of the Southern end of the Island on the way are spectacular. You will also likely see Red-tail Tropic birds flying around the cliffs. These are a beautiful white bird with red beak and a long red tail that breed on Lord Howe Island.
When you reach the saddle you will get some great views out across the island, reminding yourself of why you have embarked on this challenge!
Feeling like you've caught your breath, now it's time for a big vertical climb up to the saddle which sits at around 430m above sea level.
The last section of the walk to the summit
involves a lot of roped sections and rock scrambling. You are now only about 1km from the summit!
You know you've made it when you see the old metal framed stretcher, which you would not want to be in need of!
On a clear day you will see Balls Pyramid, the largest sea stack in the world, protruding some 551m above sea level. That is a separate trip worth putting on the bucket list!
You will also likely see the Lord Howe Island Woodhen near the summit and what I feel like must be the resident Pied Currawongs.
The top of Mt Gower is a micro climate and conditions at the summit can be completely different to those at sea level or even at the Saddle, between Gower and Mt Lidgbird some 450m up.
Often shrouded in Lenticular cloud, you won't always get a clear view of the island and surrounds from the summit. But even if you don't get great views you will feel like you've entered another world with the moss covered trees and species of flora that only exist here.
Enjoy the view for 15-20mins, soak it all up and then you will start your descent. The trip down is harder on the legs (in my opinion) but you can really enjoy what you have achieved and take more time to enjoy your surroundings and get some photos as well!
You won't regret doing this hike!
Til next time,
Barra
P.S.
If there are any images from this post that you would like to use or get a print of, please don't hesitate to contact me through my website by clicking below or email me; james@barraimages.com
Comments