Glacier Felsen emigration hike Stoney Creek-Cairns

Glacier Felsen emigration hike Stoney Creek-Cairns

The Glacier Rock hike is a short way back and forth, which offers a wonderful view of the coast from Cairns to the northern beaches. The gentle climb to the 450 m high Glacier rock viewpoint is a great bet to catch excellent sunrise or doomsuits near Kuranda.

It seems that wherever you stand in Cairns, the bare, bare surface of the glacier rock is exposed to the iconic rainforest backdrop.

If you want a short but worthwhile hike near Cairns or Kuranda, then the Glacier Rock hike is an excellent choice. We decided to go on the way about an hour before sunrise in the hope of catching the sunrise from above.

alt = “Glacier Rock Lookout Cairns”>
Alt = "Glacier rock hike Cairns">
Alt = “Glacier Rock sunrise point of view in Cairns”>

Glacier Rock Cairns as well as the other hiking trails and paths in the Barron Gorge National Park form what was once an essential network of Djabugay paths. These paths are important for the indigenous community because they were useful paths to connect the coast with the plateau.

Directions to Glacier Rock Cairns

The Glacier Rock hike is located in the Barron Gorge National Park, with most of the access points start near the Stoney Creek hiking trail.

The short, 260 m long Glacier rock track branches off from a fork of the Douglas Track. This means that for those who only want to hike to the Glacier Rock Lookout, there are a few options.

Option 1: Start at the parking lot of Stoney Creek

This option adds about 750 m per route, since the route connects near the starting point of the Douglas Track Road Trailhead (option 2 below).

Option 2: from Douglas Track Road

The second way to start the Glacier rock hike is located in a dead end at the end of the Douglas Track Road. This street is the last one right, shortly before the parking lot of Stoney Creek.

There are a few places where you can park your car, and the starting point of the hiking trail is an un marked way to access to the bush directly to the left of a closed private driveway.

I marked the location for the starting point of the Glacier Rock on the map below so that you can find it easier.

connected: White Rock Lookout hiking Cairns

Gletscherfelsen hiking route

So how far is Glacier Rock Cairns away? The Glacier Rock hiking trail is about 5.9 km long and starts with a back and forth from the Douglas Track from the starting point of the Douglas Track Road.

If you descend from the Stone Creek car park, add 1.5 km for the return trip.

Glacier rock card

Below you will find a hiking map for the Stoney Creek area. You will see that this card covers the Glacier Rock Track, which begins near Stoney Creek, as well as other ways to the Barron Falls and even the Skyrail.
Alt = “Barron Gorge National Park card”> Source: QLD Parks

GPX route

Below I added a GPX file to the route that I took from the end of the Douglas Track Road to the Glacier Rock Lookout, recorded with my GPS watch. You can download it and follow it if you want. But honestly, this track is pretty easy to follow and it is very difficult to get lost on the way.

gpx file: download

Mein Strava: Visit

What you can expect on the Glacier Rock Walking Track

Hiking route: 5.9 km back and forth
Duration: 2-2.5 hours
Height: 395 m height difference up to 450 m amsl
difficulty: Simple

Although a large part of this route is an increase, the height difference of 395 m is distributed, which means that it is rather a gentle climb and not too steep.

First section of Stoney Creek

Starting from the starting point of the Douglas Track Road, enter a dense, bushy section with a high grass on both sides of the route, just before you reach a temporary plank bridge over a small gorge.

Soon afterwards the path leads to a fork with a guide, whereby you have to take the right path (Douglas Track). At this point the path flows into the parking lot of Stoney Creek.

Shortly after the fork, the path begins to rise, with several serpentines while they make their way to the comb.

Douglas Track Rail Crossing

halfway you come to a bridge that enables you to cross the railway tracks. After this bridge it goes up the metal staircase behind the bridge steeply.
Alt = “Douglas-Gleis-Reisenbahn transition bridge”>

Related: Red Arrow, Blue Arrow Tracks Cairns-Mount Whitfield Loop

Outbreak from the Busch

After another short serpentine climb, the route opens to an exposed, grass-covered section, which offers increasingly better views before it reaches a flat section that serves as a powerline service track.

Follow this wide path to a point where the McDonald track flows into the Douglas track. There is a guide to your left, which shows the last piece to the Glacier Rock viewpoint.
Alt = “Glacier Rock Lookout hike near Cairns”>

Related: Kahlpahlim Rock Hike (Lambs Head) Cairn's hiking guide

Gletscherfelsen-Outline

Only 260 m from the fork, they reached the Glacier Rock, which is marked by a guide next to the viewpoint on the cliff.

From the Glacier Rock viewpoint, you have a wide view of the coast of Cairns, including the northern beaches, the city of Cairn, the Barron River, Earl Hill, Mount Whitfield Conservation Park and the distant mountains of the Lamb Range. Alt = "Glacier Rock Sunrise Cairns">
Alt = "Glacier Rock Cairn's hiking guide">

cool down at the Stoney Creek

After enjoying the sunrise from Glacier Rock Lookout, it is time to return to the parking lot on the same route on which you came.

If you want to cool off, Stoney Creek, a refreshing swimming hole, is the perfect place. This is just around the corner at the Stoney Creek Carpark.
Alt = "Stoney Creek falls Cairns">

Connection: Devils Thumb Hike in Mossman

Cairn's accommodation guide-where to spend the night

Are you planning a trip to Cairns and wonder where you should settle? Below I listed some of the best options near Cairn's Esplanade. I also wrote a comprehensive accommodation guide for Cairns and a comprehensive accommodation leader for Port Douglas.

Crystalbrook Riley - if you are looking for luxury and location, the Crystallrbook Riley is unbeatable. This is the best 5-star resort in Cairns and offers absolutely everything you expect from a Crystalbrook resort.

TIP: Definitely go to Rocco’s Bar on the top of the Crystalbrook Riley to enjoy a great view over Cairns!
Alt = “Girl while sunbathing in the Crystalbrook Riley Resort in Cairns”>
Rydges Resort-This hotel offers an excellent price-performance ratio for an epic stay at a decent price! The location is perfect, near the Esplanade and has three swimming pools, two tennis courts, a whirlpool, a fitness center and even a award -winning restaurant.
Alt = “Rydges Esplanade Resort in Cairns, where to stay accommodation”>
Fitzroy Island Resort - if you prefer to stay on one of the picturesque islands of the Great Barrier Reef, you are exactly right in the Fitzroy Island Resort. While you can take a day trip here, I strongly recommend spending the night so that you have more time to explore the reef, the coral beaches and the hiking trails in the rainforest.
Alt = “Fitzroy Island Resort”>
Gilligan’s backpackers-the best backpacker option for a great atmosphere in Cairns is Gilligan’s Backpackers. This is because this has a swimming pool, air conditioning, a complete kitchen and a great common area to meet other travelers.

alt = “Gilligans Backpacker Resort”>

More photos of the glacier rock hike

Here are some more photos from the hike to the Glacier Rock Cairns to inspire their trip.
Alt = “level crossing on the Douglasbahn to the Glacier Rock”>
Alt = “Cairn's mountain landscapes from Glacier Rock Cairns”>
Alt = “Glacier Rock Lookout Cairns”>
Alt = “Glacier Rock sunrise hike, Barron Falls National Park”>

Further activities in Cairns

I hope that this short guide for hiking to the Glacier Rock viewpoint was helpful in planning her activities in Cairns.

More ideas for hikes, islands, waterfalls and other attractions in Cairns can be found under the following links. Otherwise take a look at my Cairns -Megapost for hiking to find more tropical hiking trails and routes.

My camera and photo equipment

• Mirrorless camera: Canon R5
• drone: DJI Mavic Pro 2
• 360-degree action camera: Insta360 One X2
• landscape lens: Canon RF 15-35 mm f/2.8l
• all-round lens: Canon RF 24–105 mm f/4L
• telephoto lens: Canon RF 100–500 mm f/f/4.5–7.1 l
• Long action rod: Insta360 Invisible Pole (Bullettime)
• landscape lens filter: Hoya Circular Polarizer
• camera backpack: F-stop Tilopa
• Favorite photo accessories: Peak Design Capture Clip

A list of my recommended photo equipment (including what I use and why) can be found in my guide for camera equipment for the trip.

If you want to use one of the photos on this website, please visit my licensing page to find out how. I also sell professional art prints, visit my print store or contact me directly for customs deductions from pictures on WE Seek Travel.
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