Buchanan's Fort and Little Mt Widgee, Kerry side

YOUTUBE VIDEO OF FULL HIKE: https://youtu.be/2RoXTNEfLO8

Video snippet: https://youtube.com/shorts/znj8Altn6iI?feature=share
Check my YouTube Channel at Jelbuilder.

This is on private property and permission was obtained to hike it. DON'T ASK ME WHO TO ASK FOR PERMISSION!!

Start point was at the end of Steinhardt Rd, Kerry at the Steinhardt Farm. Did this with a group of 7 and it was completed as a circuit.

Most of this side of the mountain was extremely choppy ground due to the large amount of cattle that stomp all over it, leaving huge gaping holes pretty much everywhere. This you have to contend with as you try walking almost anywhere.

We started at the farmhouse, and ventured toward the Eastern side finding a spur and then up we went. There are no walking trails on this side of the mountain and its simply following trails made by the "hiking cows" who seem to be able to climb any steep terrain. Climbed upward until we hit the barbed wire fencing, and then followed that past some Eastern facing cliffs.

Going up higher, we veered left and climbed up between what is a sort of 'chute'. Very long grass everywhere, and footing unsure with lots of large rocks, divots, and holes all over the place, and simply very sheer incline. But if the cows can do it, so can we! We kept pushing up until we basically reaching the lower north/eastern lower side of the upper plateau. Here we turn left until we came to the very extremities of the Buchanan's Fort distinct cliff face facing Christmas Creek side. Beautiful mystical trees lie in this area that give it a special feeling that one is privileged to be able to walk here. A massive rocky cairn is in this area too facing the East looking toward Mt Widgee and Mt Westray. Spectacular views.

We then pushed on toward the west to the summit where we enjoyed lunch at what was a used firepit and camp spot looking toward the distinct peaks of Mt Lindesay and Mt Barney. We then headed over to Little Mt Widgee which involves descending to a creek line and then ascending up. This will take a while as Little Mt Widgee is a good 2.5kms away from where we stopped for lunch.

There is a cattle yard on Mt Widgee, which we passed through and continued all the way to the Western outlook. A crumbled cairn lay here with an old N/S/E/W timber pole laying beside it upon the ground - obviously was standing very proudly erect once upon a time.

We then retraced our steps about 1.5kms to a gate, and then headed left (n/e) down an old 4x4 track that was severely overgrown and most of us has several slips due to the steep grade. Came across a small dam on the side of a ridgeline that was covered in a red algae growth. From here, we pretty much ended following cow trails down ridgelines and spurs (just pushing through whatever and watching our steps) until we came down to the farm fenced areas, chatted to the landowner who was working there, and then back to our vehicles.

This hike has some steep incline and solid elevation, your heart rate will be pumping, but the views are majestic and well worth it. Covered over 12kms in 6 hours.