Your climb to the top of Pigeon House Mountain ends with a series of steep metal stairways straight up the sheer rock faces that would normally be the domain of rock climbers alone. When you reach the top, one of the most magnificent views in NSW will be waiting for you.
The vista looks over the wild and rugged mountains and ridgelines of the Budawang Ranges and even as far as the coast on a clear day.
It’s a soul stirring view that gets even better if you head up for golden hour. The excellent track conditions make hiking back down in the dark a relatively easy endeavour.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Pigeon House Mountain Didthul Track.
The Pigeon House Mountain Didthul Track
The stats
Distance: 7.6km return
Elevation gain: 465m
Difficulty: Moderate, but very steep
Trailhead: Pigeon House Mountain / Didthul Picnic Area
Summary: The walk to the top of Pigeon House Mountain is predominantly uphill on the way. There are a few flat sections to catch your breath on, but the majority of the track is uphill. It’s very well maintained and the good trail conditions make the climb easier.
The last few hundred metres are on very steep metal staircases with handrails. They are not what I would call ladders, but they are steep enough that you climb down them backwards in the same way you would a ladder.
They don’t feel particularly exposed, but they would be unnerving if you suffer from vertigo.
Starting the trail
The track to the top of Pigeon House Mountain has changed in recent years and the beginning is now a gentler affair than it used to be. The gravel trail now begins by zigzagging uphill, as opposed to the straight up approach it took in the past.
It’s a good path and it makes the first part of the walk quite easy, though it is still very much uphill from the off.
You will be walking in the shady bush and after 430m you’ll get your first peek out to Didthul, which looks quite far away at this point.
Just over 1.2km into the walk you’ll begin climbing a series of stone stairs and the track gets much steeper.
However, after just under 200m there’s a bit of a break, with a brief flat section and then the stairs will resume, but less steeply.
The first big views
Just over 1.6km into the walk you’ll see a large rock platform on your right. You can make the very short diversion to see the first great view of the walk.
It’s nothing on what’s to come, but it’s still gorgeous, overlooking the densely forested mountains. Once back on the main trail you have 50m more climbing to do before you come to the longest flat section of track on the whole walk.
Roughly 200m into this flat stretch you will see a social trail leading off to your left.
Follow this dirt track and then hop across the rocks to the left and you will come to a rocky outcrop (it’s 10m from the main track). It offers an incredible view of Pigeon House Mountain and the long smooth rock platform makes for the perfect perch to sit and soak it in before continuing to the top.
It’s definitely the best view of the mountain that you will get along the track, so make sure you keep an eye out for that turning.
The steep climb and the ‘ladders’
The flat track continues for roughly another 600m and then you’ll reach some shallow stairs. The forest is very pretty along this stretch and the trail is nice and shady - as it is for most of the walk.
The stairs soon get steeper and remain steep all the way to the base of the ladders, just over 3.5km into the track.
There’s a handy bench seat at the foot of the first metal stairs if you want a breather.
As mentioned, I wouldn’t call the metal staircases ladders, but they are very steep and should be approached like a ladder.
There are a couple further along which are much steeper than the first ones you’ll see and these are fairly close to being a ladder, but they have rails and thicker steps than a traditional ladder would.
The ladders run for roughly 150m, but there are bits of normal track inbetween at first. It’s after the first few staircases that you reach the fun bit and that’s the long series of stairways that take you steeply up the rock faces.
The views are great and especially so for us, as we lucked out with glorious golden light as sunset approached.
It’s really cool looking up at the staircases and thinking how it would be impossible to get to the top without them.
While that’s the case on many hikes, you really feel it with this one as the rock face is so sheer and dramatic.
If you are worried about the ladders, know that each one has rails and the steeper ones have double railings.
I can see it would still be very unpleasant if you’re nervous of heights, but much less so than it used to be with the old ladders.
At the end of the final staircase you can climb through the rail and onto the large rock platform to the right. You need to take care, but it’s easy to hop across and the views from the rocky plateau are stunning.
We went on the way back down and caught the last of the light which was just beautiful.
Reaching the top of Pigeon House Mountain Didthul
The last 100m to the lookout on the top of Pigeon House Mountain is on a normal track. The only thing of note along the path is one short section where there are little metal footholds to help you up a crack inbetween some rocks. There’s also a little gully with small footholds shortly after.
If you don’t like the slightly awkward nature of the footholds you can just climb around the rock to the right instead.
You’re now just a few metres from the lookout and one of the most tremendous views in NSW. It really is a jaw dropping vista and we were so lucky to be up there alone just as the sun was beginning to set.
It’s a view and a moment I’ll remember for a very long time to come.
The lookout offers a view of mountains, valleys and ridgelines as far as the eye can see. You can also head to the right of the viewpoint onto the rock platform for what feels like a slightly more intimate view, though as always, take care at the unfenced cliff edge.
If you want the ultimate experience, pick a windless day and head up for sunset and I promise it’s an experience you won’t forget.
In terms of walking down in the dark, we had twilight for around half the way and the final half required a torch. The well maintained path makes it easy to descend in the dark.
Watch for wallabies and wombats as you drive back out the national park as we saw both on our visit.
Getting to Pigeon House Mountain Didthul
The Pigeon House Mountain Didthul Track is located in Morton National Park. The last 13km of the road to the car park is unsealed. When dry it’s generally suitable for any car, though you will encounter some potholes and corrugations.
After rain it can get a bit muddy and should be avoided in a small car until it’s dried out again. Road conditions vary over time and after big weather events, so if you are concerned you should give the National Park Service a call for recent conditions before heading out.
The trailhead is roughly 27km and a 40 minute drive from Ulladulla, 70km and one hour 15 minutes from Huskisson in Jervis Bay.
The car park has a long drop toilet, but no other facilities and no running water.
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