Summits of Mount Cougal

Starting from Mount Cougal Trailhead Carpark, Dungay, this hike/climb takes you to the summits of Mount Cougal via the Cougar Track, skirting the QLD-NSW border. Expect to be hypnotized by the spectacular views over the Gold Coast and Currumbin valley, along with the rest of the country. The scramble for the top may seem hard, but it’s surely worth the gorgeous landscape. As you hike through the rainforest that’s teeming with wildlife, you may run into some cute koalas chilling on trees. Don’t forget to explore the cave hidden behind the rock formation just before the top to get the full experience. Wear long pants to avoid scratches and ticks. You’ll need grippy shoes to safely climb up and down the mountain. The rocks become slippery and dangerous when wet, so please check the forecast beforehand. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

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Warning
This journey requires significant bushwalking experience, specialised equipment and navigation skills.
Please ensure you and your group well prepared and equiped for this journey.

Safer Bushwalks
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.

Getting There

Start	(-28.2486232,153.3554068)
Mode	Car
Directions	From Pacific Motorway, M1 Turn on to Exit 95, M1 then drive for 250 m Keep right onto M1 and drive for another 215 m Turn right onto Stewart Road and drive for another 900 m Keep left onto Stewart Road and drive for another 7.7 km Turn left onto Tomewin Mountain Road, 98 and drive for another 10.4 km Keep right onto Garden of Eden Road and drive for another 2.3 km

Track Notes

Getting started
From the Mount Cougal Trailhead Carpark at the end of Garden of Eden Road, head towards the metal gate next to the fence. Head over/around the gate then follow the dirt track(Cougal Track) as it leads you into the woodland. Stay on the track as it meanders around the border to continue along the Summits of Mount Cougal Track. Stick to the fence when in doubt.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start heading along Garden of Eden Road.
	After another 5 m (at the intersection of Garden of Eden Road & Cougal Track) continue straight, to head along Cougal Track (a walking track). Find the gate at the start. After 2.4 km pass the "National Park" (5 m on your right). After another 1.5 km pass the "Mount Cougal East" (8 m on your left).
	Continue another 350 m to find the end. Then turn around here and retrace the main route for 4.2 km to get back to the start. About 80 m past the end is "Mount Cougal West".

Terrain

Summits of Mount Cougal

Grading

	Class 5/6 Very challenging
Length	8.4 km
Time	3 h 30 min to 5 h

Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient	Very steep and difficult rock scrambles (5/6)
Signage	Clearly signposted (2/6)
Infrastructure	Limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) (4/6)
Experience Required	Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6)
Weather	Foretasted & unexpected storms and severe weather may impact on navigation and safety (4/6)

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