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We set out on the Mount Joyce summit walk after reading that it was meant to be “easy but long” and graded as “moderate”. Let’s just say we were a little surprised by what we found. If you’re planning to hike Mount Joyce, you’ll want to read about our experience first to have the right expectations!
Summary
Distance: 14 km
Time: 4 hours 50
Difficulty: moderate/hard
Disclaimer: The hiking time and difficulty are based on our experience. We are experienced hikers with a good level of fitness, used to hiking long distances and scrambling. But we also enjoy pausing to admire the views, check for wildlife and take photos. We possess good navigation skills and use a Garmin watch with a GPS navigation map. Always check the park alerts and notes, as trail conditions change over time, which may affect the hike’s level of difficulty.
How hard is the Mount Joyce summit walk?
This hike is not what I’d call easy. Some sections are steep, and while it never turned into a scramble, there was one spot where I almost used my hands to make it easier. The way down felt even trickier and quite tiring, so don’t underestimate the return leg. That said, the effort was worth it. Although it turned into a good workout, the views at the top were fantastic.
Along the way, we walked to a soundtrack of birdsong. Lorikeets and parrots often flashed their bright colours through the trees, and we even spotted what we believe was a pheasant coucal very close to the path, as well as a wallaby. In addition to the views, the birdlife was one of the highlights of the hike for me.
The trail we took to reach Mount Joyce summit
We started on the red track from the car park. After about 50 minutes, we reached junction #6 and switched onto the Grass Tree track. From there, we joined the Ridgeline track around the 1.5-hour mark. We reached the summit after about 2 hours. The views over the lake, the surrounding mountains, and even all the way to Brisbane through gaps in the trees were beautiful and made the climb feel worthwhile.
To make it a loop, we followed the Ridgeline track all the way down to reconnect with the red track at #10. This way back wasn’t necessarily easier – it was still steep – but it felt a bit longer and gave us more open lake views, which I really liked. We reached junction #6 again after 4 hours and were back at the car park about 50 minutes later. In total, the hike took us just under 5 hours.
Tips for hiking Mount Joyce
- Check the map first and take a photo of it – The trail is well signposted, but not all signs actually pointed to the summit, so knowing the track layout helps.
- Take hiking poles – they’ll make the descent much easier and faster on the steep sections.
- Carry enough water – it’s a long hike with steep sections and limited shade compared to rainforest trails.
- Wear sunscreen and a hat – you’ll be exposed to the sun in several sections.
- Watch for mountain bikes – some tracks are shared. We only saw one group, but they can appear quickly.
- Pick your season – winter or cooler months are best. In summer, the heat will make the climb much harder.
- Use PeakFinder – I love this app to work out which mountains I’m looking at from the summit.
Where is Mount Joyce?
Mount Joyce is in the Scenic Rim, about 1.5 hours’ drive south-west of Brisbane, making it one of my favourite mounts to hike near Brisbane. The summit walk starts from the Wyaralong Dam car park, which has toilets but no potable water. If you’re keen to turn it into a full day trip, you can stop at the nearby Overflow Estate 1895, a winery by the dam where you can enjoy local food and wines with beautiful views.
