Mt Gower
5
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5.0
252 reviews
Excellent
206
Very good
34
Average
8
Poor
3
Terrible
1
Kathy B
2 contributions
Sep. 2023 ā¢ Couples
Good orientation video showing various aspects of the trek - but not the ropes up and down shear rock faces ( basically abseiling ) . One guide for 14 people ( at the front ). Many times someone lost the path and would be calling out . Goathouse track was far more enjoyable ( tough but rewarding ) and the views were better than those from Mount Gower - you could see across the whole island - no cloud - and out to Balls Pyramid.
Written 6 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Katie D
Brighton and Hove, UK427 contributions
Jul. 2023 ā¢ Couples
Maybe it was just the time of year, but if you don't keep up you get left behind to wait, or everyone has to turn around, so you feel guilty about the others in the group. There were lots of stops on the flatter parts and less on the steeper parts, several lets sit and have a snack rather than snacking on the way. Got back at least an hour before we were due to be back, so could have paced it better so there was more chance for the slower ones. On the plus side, there was a lot of information about the habitat etc, and some nice views from the saddle.
Written 5 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Safari65739288857
3 contributions
Sep. 2023 ā¢ Solo
Kayla was amazing, knowledgeable, and highly professional. She knows Mt. Gower and will make your climb the best you can hope for. A sustained climb, it is worth every step. The cloud forest is something very special. The view also from the top is like no other - a real highlight when visiting Lord Howe. Highly recommend Environmental Tours and Kayla.
Written 25 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
onroute66
Sydney22 contributions
Sep. 2023 ā¢ Solo
I feel really let down by the Guide Kayla at Enviro Tours. She's a powerhouse and champion at climbing Mt Gower. Only few will meet her fitness. This trip was all about speed and athletic ability. We were ahead of time by two hours and she would not allow me and another participant to proceed to summit (even though we were ahead of schedule!). We were clueless to where the path was constantly because Kayla had run off ahead. When we arrived back at the vehicle by 1.30pm (7.30am start), it was admitted that she & her Mum had a cake to bake. I was advised that this hike/climb would take a minimum of 8hrs and it only took 6hrs. The part of Mt Gower that I did see was beautiful.
Written 23 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EatingSnow
Calgary, Canada65 contributions
Apr. 2023
The wikipedia page for Lord Howe's other peak, Mount Lidgbird, says:
"Mount Gower is an easy hike". That's not really accurate. It's an easy scramble but a challenging hike.
There are two primary factors that will determine how hard it is to get to the top of and back down Mount Gower:
1) how much it has rained recently, which makes everything very slippery,
2) how fast of a pace your guide sets.
It had rained a lot during the two days before I joined guide Jack and 15 others. That made the descent very slow as everything was muddy, even the tree trunks. Fortunately, Jack set a good place. We finished in a little over 10 hours. If your guide tries to finish in 8 hours or faster, that will make it a lot harder.
If your expectation is that the route up Mount Gower is a hike, you'll likely find it very challenging, as most of the reviews on tripadvisor indicate. If your expectation is that it's a scramble or a climb and you're experienced at such, you'll find it fairly easy, as wikipedia indicates.
In any case, it's a beautiful and fun route and the rewards are well worth the effort (assuming you have a good guide and no one gets injured).
"Mount Gower is an easy hike". That's not really accurate. It's an easy scramble but a challenging hike.
There are two primary factors that will determine how hard it is to get to the top of and back down Mount Gower:
1) how much it has rained recently, which makes everything very slippery,
2) how fast of a pace your guide sets.
It had rained a lot during the two days before I joined guide Jack and 15 others. That made the descent very slow as everything was muddy, even the tree trunks. Fortunately, Jack set a good place. We finished in a little over 10 hours. If your guide tries to finish in 8 hours or faster, that will make it a lot harder.
If your expectation is that the route up Mount Gower is a hike, you'll likely find it very challenging, as most of the reviews on tripadvisor indicate. If your expectation is that it's a scramble or a climb and you're experienced at such, you'll find it fairly easy, as wikipedia indicates.
In any case, it's a beautiful and fun route and the rewards are well worth the effort (assuming you have a good guide and no one gets injured).
Written 7 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andy G
London, UK98 contributions
Jan. 2023 ā¢ Solo
The walk map makes it clear that this is a tough walk - Grade 5. But I expect a walk to be undertaken almost entirely using your feet and legs. I spent at least 50% of the time using my hands and at times was supported entirely by my hand and arms, grasping a wet rope with a substantial drop below. Itās halfway between a scramble and a climb. Maybe āa rope assisted scrambleā. Itās very tough on the way up but when wet the way down is treacherous. Nearly everyone slipped multiple times and most had one or more grazes. I was terrified at several points on the way down.
That said Jack the guide was great and Iām sure many would find it exhilarating.
Iām an avid walker and fit. But I am 67 and should no better! But several much younger folk found it very hard.
My advice is think very hard before going if you are over 40 and donāt regularly do climbing or other mountaineering at the extreme end.
Iām sure if you are young and fit with a great head for heights itās an ace experience.
Everyone would enjoy themselves more when itās dry underfoot!
That said Jack the guide was great and Iām sure many would find it exhilarating.
Iām an avid walker and fit. But I am 67 and should no better! But several much younger folk found it very hard.
My advice is think very hard before going if you are over 40 and donāt regularly do climbing or other mountaineering at the extreme end.
Iām sure if you are young and fit with a great head for heights itās an ace experience.
Everyone would enjoy themselves more when itās dry underfoot!
Written 5 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ingrid M
1 contribution
Dec. 2022 ā¢ Family
Climbing Mt Gower can be a great experience. It is challenging, but on a fine day offers really spectacular scenery and a unique environment on the top.
I had been before, but wanted to share the experience with my teenage daughter. We signed up for a trip scheduled to start at 7:15 and finish between 3:30 and 4pm. Our guide - Kayla- seemed to want to have an early day! - by the first stop we were nearly 30 mins ahead of program. I struggled to keep up the pace. I was the slowest in our group, and decided to stop at the saddle. We were well ahead of the deadlines and both guides said they believed I would be able to make it, however I was very aware I could not keep up with the pace being set. My daughter and the rest of the group continued at the cracking pace and with me meeting them on their way down we were finished by 2:15pm. While it was my decision not to continue as I felt I was a burden on the group, I also felt Kayla made little effort to make everyone in the group feel comfortable with their progress and follow the advertised schedule.
If you are very fit and want to say you have done Gower - then Environmental Tours with Kayla will be great. If you want to really experience all Gower has to offer - an alternative guide might be a better fit for you.
I had been before, but wanted to share the experience with my teenage daughter. We signed up for a trip scheduled to start at 7:15 and finish between 3:30 and 4pm. Our guide - Kayla- seemed to want to have an early day! - by the first stop we were nearly 30 mins ahead of program. I struggled to keep up the pace. I was the slowest in our group, and decided to stop at the saddle. We were well ahead of the deadlines and both guides said they believed I would be able to make it, however I was very aware I could not keep up with the pace being set. My daughter and the rest of the group continued at the cracking pace and with me meeting them on their way down we were finished by 2:15pm. While it was my decision not to continue as I felt I was a burden on the group, I also felt Kayla made little effort to make everyone in the group feel comfortable with their progress and follow the advertised schedule.
If you are very fit and want to say you have done Gower - then Environmental Tours with Kayla will be great. If you want to really experience all Gower has to offer - an alternative guide might be a better fit for you.
Written 23 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Craig The Celebrant
1 contribution
Oct. 2022
Jack would have to be the worst guide in the world . . . we had 11 walkers (yes eleven) and Jack was always at the front and would have had absolutely no idea if one of the walkers towards the back had fallen off the mountain or whatever. How he is allowed to take such a large group without another guide or an assistant is beyond me. We passed another group coming back (with another guide named Dean - who I hear is very good) and that group had 3 walkers.
In hindsight - our walk should not gone ahead as it has just rained for a few days straight and it drizzled rain during the walk . . . the path/trail (what there is of it) was extremely muddy & slippery - I must have over fallen 4 - 5 times.
One of the walkers in our group (who was much better than me who was up the front) had to yell out at one stage ""Jack we can't f***ing see you!"
I personally didn't make it to the top - myself and 2 others including one who has done some really tough walks around the world - tapped out about 2/3 of the way up and waited a couple of hours for the rest to come back. So 8 of 11 made it all the way. The only encouragement I got from Jack was "Hurry up!" One of our group fell and broke his finger at the very start of the walk - Jack said "you've dislocated it" and taped 2 of his fingers together and we carried on. That fellow went to the hospital next day - ended up with his hand & arm in plaster and had to have an operation when back on the mainland. What Jack knows about OH&S - you could write on the back of a postage stamp.
Would I attempt the walk again? Yes (but not when wet). Would I do it with Jack again? NO WAY.
Footnote: A fellow fell & broke his leg on the walk/climb a couple of days after our expedition - they didn't get the poor guy down until about 2.30 in the morning.
It is a challenging activity, but worth it you are fit & physically able.
In hindsight - our walk should not gone ahead as it has just rained for a few days straight and it drizzled rain during the walk . . . the path/trail (what there is of it) was extremely muddy & slippery - I must have over fallen 4 - 5 times.
One of the walkers in our group (who was much better than me who was up the front) had to yell out at one stage ""Jack we can't f***ing see you!"
I personally didn't make it to the top - myself and 2 others including one who has done some really tough walks around the world - tapped out about 2/3 of the way up and waited a couple of hours for the rest to come back. So 8 of 11 made it all the way. The only encouragement I got from Jack was "Hurry up!" One of our group fell and broke his finger at the very start of the walk - Jack said "you've dislocated it" and taped 2 of his fingers together and we carried on. That fellow went to the hospital next day - ended up with his hand & arm in plaster and had to have an operation when back on the mainland. What Jack knows about OH&S - you could write on the back of a postage stamp.
Would I attempt the walk again? Yes (but not when wet). Would I do it with Jack again? NO WAY.
Footnote: A fellow fell & broke his leg on the walk/climb a couple of days after our expedition - they didn't get the poor guy down until about 2.30 in the morning.
It is a challenging activity, but worth it you are fit & physically able.
Written 24 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sandra N
Melbourne46 contributions
Sep. 2022 ā¢ Friends
The Mount Gambier walk was extremely challenging, the hardest walk I have done. The middle three hours, 1.5 hours up and 1.5 hours down, to the summit is even more challenging and is all climbing rock faces with ropes. The guide said we could wait here if we didnāt want to go further but that would have meant 3 hours sitting alone waiting for others to return. We walked when it was wet underfoot, making it even more challenging. A high degree of fitness and upper and lower body strength is required. I felt the safety precautions were not entirely adequate as our guide was not always aware of where all the walkers were and if anyone was trailing behind. The track is quite hard to find at times and it wouldāve been appreciated if the tour guide ensured that we were all together more often. I wouldnāt do it again.
Written 22 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ourlittlefreddie
3 contributions
Apr. 2022
an excellent but challenging experience hence the 5 stars
no view at the summit on our climb last week due to set in cloud and then rain
had the misfortune to wear hiking boots - this was a serious mistake as the soles are stiff and with some wear on the soles descending was like being on ice and lost confidence due to complete lack of grip
you may consider proper climbing/approach shoes (as the Guide had) that may grip a little even when things get slippery - only wish I knew this beforehand
I had many falls, bumps and bruises and a jarred knee - but marathon running experience kicked in and it was one step at a time even if slow - whilst the Guide hung back with me the descent was all my work
other than the Guide, virtually everybody slipped to some extent on the descent
in today's world it should be said this climb is risky for those not experienced in and kitted for these conditions
the Guide will usually tell you if they don't believe you will make the summit in time to descend in daylight - a few places you can stop and wait and if in doubt take a book in case
I'll repeat, aside from being sufficiently fit, having reasonable step reach and upper body strength, give serious consideration to the choice of shoe if you wish to avoid my experience - this is a remote place if one were to be seriously injured
no view at the summit on our climb last week due to set in cloud and then rain
had the misfortune to wear hiking boots - this was a serious mistake as the soles are stiff and with some wear on the soles descending was like being on ice and lost confidence due to complete lack of grip
you may consider proper climbing/approach shoes (as the Guide had) that may grip a little even when things get slippery - only wish I knew this beforehand
I had many falls, bumps and bruises and a jarred knee - but marathon running experience kicked in and it was one step at a time even if slow - whilst the Guide hung back with me the descent was all my work
other than the Guide, virtually everybody slipped to some extent on the descent
in today's world it should be said this climb is risky for those not experienced in and kitted for these conditions
the Guide will usually tell you if they don't believe you will make the summit in time to descend in daylight - a few places you can stop and wait and if in doubt take a book in case
I'll repeat, aside from being sufficiently fit, having reasonable step reach and upper body strength, give serious consideration to the choice of shoe if you wish to avoid my experience - this is a remote place if one were to be seriously injured
Written 3 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mewett_Family
Newcastle, Australia514 contributions
Has anyone done the Mt Gower hike with kids? Our boys are 13 and 11. They are both very fit. Walking is not really their thing but this hike is on my bucket list so Iām trying to convince them to do it. My husband and I are reasonably fit and have done many walking holidays in the past. Any advice or suggestions welcome š
Dhar E
Sydney, Australia61 contributions
Im planning to do the track to Mt. Gower... How hard is the rock climbing? Does one require experience in rock climbing? How long do we need to give notice of booking a guide?
Ninad I
Sydney, Australia11 contributions
hi natalya
what about height, i am afraid of height?
ninad
Pathways101
Brisbane, Australia37 contributions
I know this is highly subjective but can people please advise on whether running shoes with grip are suitable for this trek?
menzie2
menzie221 contributions
I wore runners and they were fine
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Claim your listingMt Gower: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Mt Gower
- Hotels near Mt Gower:
- (3.80 km) Capella Lodge
- (5.84 km) Pinetrees Lodge
- (7.27 km) Admiralty Apartments
- (7.24 km) Lorhiti Apartments
- (7.32 km) Arajilla Retreat - Lord Howe Island
- Restaurants near Mt Gower:
- (4.38 km) Love Lord Howe Picnics and Platters
- (6.33 km) Coral Cafe
- (6.84 km) Anchorage Restaurant
- (5.43 km) Pinetrees Lodge
- (6.05 km) Lord Howe Island Bowling Club Meals