How long does the Bare Rock Track take?

Around 69 minutes for the 2.88km return track, though the steep opening climb means most walkers spend longer than that once you factor in a rest at the exposed summit.

How hard is the Bare Rock Track?

Graded moderate, but genuinely steep for a short distance — our terrain data shows 44% of the track is steep or very steep, front-loaded into a 61m climb in the first 300m from the Mount Cordeaux track junction.

What's at the top of Bare Rock Track?

The exposed granite summit of Bare Rock at 1168m, with open views over the Scenic Rim — a genuine payoff for the short, steep climb, and one of the more rewarding lookouts in Main Range National Park for the effort involved.

Bare Rock Track: How Long, How Hard, and What to Expect

Bare Rock Track packs a genuinely steep climb into a short distance, continuing past the end of the Mount Cordeaux track to the exposed granite summit that gives it its name.

Quick stats

Distance: 2.88 km return
Elevation gain: 232 m
Time: ~69 minutes
Grade: Moderate
Route type: Out and back
Location: Main Range National Park, Scenic Rim, QLD

How hard is it, really?

The moderate grade undersells how front-loaded this climb is. Our terrain data shows 44% of the track is steep or very steep, with the single hardest stretch — a 61m climb in just 300m — coming almost immediately from the Mount Cordeaux junction. Get through that opening pinch and the rest of the track eases considerably on the approach to the exposed summit.

What the track is actually like

This track continues on from the graded Mount Cordeaux track, so most walkers treat the two as one connected outing rather than a standalone destination. The reward for the steep opening climb is a genuinely exposed granite summit at 1168m with open views across the Scenic Rim — a real payoff that makes the short, sharp effort worthwhile.

Wildlife to watch for

Main Range National Park protects habitat for several of South East Queensland’s most threatened species — the same forest that hosts the nearby Box Forest Track:

Coxen’s fig-parrot — critically endangered, one of Australia’s rarest birds, though a genuine sighting is uncommon.
Eastern bristlebird — endangered, a small, secretive ground-dwelling bird more often heard than seen.
Black-breasted buttonquail — vulnerable, another shy species favouring leaf-litter-rich forest floor.
Hastings River mouse — vulnerable, nocturnal and unlikely to be encountered on a day walk but documented in this park.
Albert’s lyrebird — not threatened, but a spectacular sight if you catch one displaying near the track.

Practical tips

Save energy for the first 300m. The steepest climb on the whole track comes right at the start, straight off the Mount Cordeaux junction.
Combine it with the Mount Cordeaux track. Most walkers do both as one connected outing rather than treating Bare Rock as a standalone destination.
Wear grip-appropriate footwear for the exposed granite summit — it can be slippery when wet.
Check the forecast for the summit specifically. Being fully exposed at 1168m, wind and weather hit harder here than in the forest below.

Nearby

See the full South East Queensland hikes list for more Scenic Rim and Main Range walks, or view Bare Rock Track on the map for the live route and elevation profile.