Saddle Mountain Summit Hike - Cairns hiking guide
Saddle Mountain Summit Hike - Cairns hiking guide
Saddle Mountain Cairns is a summit hiking trail between Kuranda and Smithfield, north of Cairns. Read on for the complete guide to hiking on the Saddle Mountain Trail from Smithfield.
Cairns is a serious contender for the title of Australia's best hiking and bush hiking center. Its rugged, tropical coast offers everyone who wants to gain height, an epic view of the sea and the reefs. In addition, the ancient rainforests form some of the most beautiful hiking trails in Australia.
In this short guide, I give information about hiking to the radar station on the summit of the Saddle Mountain Cairns. I will also throw in some photos that I hope to inspire you to tie them down and go on track!
Sattelberg-where is that?
Saddle Mountain is a tropical summit in the Macalister Range near Cairns in the far north of Queensland. The mountain extends over Smithfield Conservation Park and Kuranda National Park.
The Saddle Mountain hike begins in Smithfield Conservation Park at the Northern Beaches, just 15 kilometers from Cairns. You can enter this park from three points; Free parking by James Cook University, the end of the McGregor Road (near AJ Hacket) and a parking space directly on the Bruce Highway (attached below).
If you do not have your own car, there are public buses from Cairns and The Beaches, which are held at James Cook University, which is right next to the park.
GPS coordinates: 16 ° 49’00.1 ″ S 145 ° 41’28.9 ″ E
Related Post: 14 Great things that can be done in Kuranda, Australia
How to get to the Saddle Mountain Trail
confusing there are several starting points that offer access to the Saddle Mountain Summit Trail. This is because the foothills are located in Smithfield Conservation Park, a complicated network of hiking trails and mountain bike routes.
start the simplicity on the "Ring Road" route, which is accessible from all the above access to the park.
For the purposes of this article, I will describe in detail, which in my opinion is the simplest route to the summit. However, if you are a local or would like to explore the other routes, use the card below to design your own route.
Alt = "View from the summit of the Saddle Mountain Cairns">
Further hikes: Kahlpahlim rock hike | Viewption Glacier Felsen | White rock viewpoint
Map and GPX
Below I inserted a GPX file that I generated with my Garmin GPS watch. You can download the file by clicking on the link and uploading it to your clock or phone to make navigation easier.
gpx file: download
Mein Strava: Visit
Hiking map of the Smithfield Conservation Park
Here is also the cycle path map of Smithfield. This is useful if you want to plan an alternative route to the start of the summit path.
Alt = “Smithfield Conservation Park cycle path card for the Saddle Mountain hike”> Source: QLD Parks | Download PDF in full quality
The Saddle Mountain Hike Cairns-hiking guide
Hiking route: 10.5 km
Duration: 2.5 -3.5 hours
Height (670 m total height difference)
difficult (steep and mushy)
When you follow my GPS track, the start of the Saddle Mountain hike begins directly on the Bruce Highway next to the James Cook University (card pin above).
Park your car from here and follow the wide, unpaved path on the left and walk through the metal gates. (Don't take the steeper road to the right). You are now on the "Ring Road" route. Follow it around the edge of the park until you reach a parking lot and a metal bridge.
continue past the bridge to a junction to the "Downhill Access Track". This is where the steep climb begins.
Alt = “Smithfield Hiking Wide”> junction to the Downhill Access Track
Follow the Downhill Access Track, which winds up the mountain. Finally, they come to a sharp serpentine with an unmistakable tree that almost updates like an island in front of them.
Alt = "Smithfield hiking trails"> "Inselbaum"
The summit path of the Saddle Mountain begins right behind this island tree and is easy to overlook if you don't be careful.
The Sattelbergweg
When you reach the much narrower Saddle Mountain Trail, you have already covered half of the route and climbed half of the height. However, this second half is much more muddy and steeper. From this point it is very easy to get to the summit. Just make sure to look for snakes that sunbathe on the route.
Alt = “Saddle Mountain Trail Cairns”>
Alt = "Carpet python on the hiking tail"> I found this carpet python, which blocks the already narrow path
Further adventures nearby: Mount Whitfield Arrow Tracks | Hartleys Creek falls
The Cairns radar station
The Cairns Weather Radar Station is located on the Saddle Mountain. You will see the fence as soon as you have reached the tip. It is possible to circle the entire train station on foot, but a faster route is to take the path right behind the train station. This leads to a large rock platform that offers a great view of the northern beaches.
Alt = “Cairn's weather radar station”>
Outlook from above
The view from the summit of Saddle Mountain is one of the best in the area. When you look north, the comb of the Macalister Range pulls a line to the Daintree and inspires the image of a wave fueled by the wind that is unable to break over deep water.
From the rock platform you can also see Double Island and the suburbs of the Northern Beaches, including Kawarra Beach, Trinity Beach and Clifton Beach. If you go a little further along the fence line, you have a look at the Kuranda national park and the tableland behind it.
After taking the time to enjoy the view, go down on the same path to return.
Alt = "Sattelberg view">
More Cairn's hiking guide and adventure ideas
I hope that this short guide for hiking on the Saddle Mountain Trail near Cairns was helpful. If you would like to explore a few more hikes in the area, look at the list below. Otherwise, see this comprehensive guide to the best waterfalls of Cairns, the best hiking trails of Cairns or this guide to the best activities in Cairns.
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.
Alt = “Saddle Mountain Summit Hike Cairn's hiking guide”>
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