Mount Ware
- Physical DifficultyThis is the average user-submitted rating on the physical difficulty of this route. In general, green is beginner, blue is intermediate, black is advanced/most difficult and double-black is expert-only. It is recommended that users build up to black and double-black routes.
- Technical DifficultyThis is the average user-submitted rating on the technical difficulty of this route. In general, green is beginner, blue is intermediate, black is advanced/most difficult and double-black is expert-only. It is recommended that users build up to black and double-black routes.

This mid-length moderate hike has us summit Mt. Ware. As our final elevation takes us above all the surrounding foothills we are afforded great views of the surrounding area, including the impressive Bluerock Mountain to the west.
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Route Description for Mount Ware
The trail will have us climbing and descending all along as we gain about 518 m of elevation whilst climbing a total of 732 m. Remember these descents on the way out turn to climbs on the homeward path, so be sure to save some legs!
As you leave the Gorge Creek Day use Area you will head SSW and will find a marked trail that follows Gorge Creek just its north. When you initially meet the creek we will cross at the new(ish) bridge.
Right after crossing the bridge take a left to find the South Gorge Creek Trail (signed), and almost immediately after passing the sign take your first prominent right. We will follow this trail for about an hour. As you walk along the creek trail be sure to take in the scenic views of the creek flowing past you to the left.
There are many routes up Mt Ware, and many dead ends. The route suggested to us involved approaching the mountain at a ‘Three O’Clock” approach. We leave the Creek trail after crossing a cattle guard, when a cairn between two pines appears to our right marks a smaller trail.
As we follow this new trail we start to gain elevation and the trees start to thin and we are given our first clear views of our destination. Continue to follow the trail as it peters out as we reach the steep grassy slopes of our final destination.
Did we mention the final approach is steep? At this point there is no going wrong and pick one of the many trails up the final face.
Insider Hints for Mount Ware
- Some parts of Mount Ware hike can get muddy so make sure your shoes are waterproof.
- If you don’t feel tired, you can also hike up Little Ware as well.
- There’s an alternative route to the top of Mt Ware, so if you don’t like ‘out and back’ trails you can make it a loop.
Getting to the Mount Ware Trailhead
We start our loop from the Gorge Creek Day Use Area. Take highway 546 from Turner Valley. We will be taking a right onto the Gorge Creek Access road which is not very well signed until you are on it. The access road jets off to the right from the main road and then follows the main road in parallel for the first 0.5 km before the main road goes down a steep hill.
Route Information
Mount Ware Elevation Graph
Weather Forecast
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