NOAH CREEK TREKS AND TRAILS

A TRUE WILDERNESS EXPERIENCE, IN NATURE’S PARADISE

Noah’s is one of the largest privately owned World Heritage Reserves in the Cape Tribulation area. This allows us to offer guests and tour groups exclusive private walking and hiking trails.

The trails wind through the unique rainforest of the Noah Valley, giving groups an opportunity to explore and learn about this rare and primitive area; plus finish a walk with a refreshing swim in its swimming holes or dunk under a water fall. You may encounter other tour groups on the trails, or if you are quiet, a Cassowary sharing the path. Please be respectful and keep your distance.

For guests staying on the Reserve, self-guided, graded trails are available from the doorstep. For difficult trails and mountain treks locally operating independent guides are required. Local guide contacts can be arranged through reception.

Feel free to discuss during booking or upon arrival. We can help determine suitable trails for your group; assist with arranging trekking guides or suggest outdoor cross-country fitness running trail routes and circuits.

The Mill Trail

The Mill Trail is a relatively easy walking loop trail. It has been designed for tour groups to pass by as many interesting rainforest species as possible. It departs from the old saw mill and winds through the rainforest over small bridges and streams.

Guests are invited to use the Mill Trail loop during available times, or for a guided informative night walk. Discuss access times with the Reserve reception.

Duration

30 – 40 mintues (loop)

Starts

Quarry Trailhead Hub or Mill (walk or drive along track to start of loop)

Grade

Easy Walk with Moderate Hike Sections

Attractions

Historic Saw Mill, Giant Cycads, Strangler Figs, Great Night Walking Trail

DRAGON’S HOLE TRAIL

The trail down to Noah Creek starts just down from The Lodge, Ochre and Bower hut access tracks and crosses over a deep ravine; winding down stairs to luscious rainforest adjacent to Noah Creek. The trail and venues are generally for private daily tour operator use. Guests are invited to use the ‘Dragons Hole’ swimming hole trail and can pre-arrange for a catered BBQ lunch in one of the picnic huts. Discuss access times and lunch bookings via the Reserve reception.

Duration

10-15 Minutes (Return)

Starts

Private Day Use Function Area (walk from Lodge or drive and park at Lodge turn-off car park)

Grade

Easy Walk with Moderate Hike Sections

Attractions

Rainforest Ravine, Stairway to Heaven, Swimming Holes, Wedding/Function Venues

QUARRY TO BEACH TRAIL

The Beach Trail winds from the old quarry to the beach, via the national park. South Noah’s Beach is generally deserted at this access. Great for a private picnic or a walk to the mouth of Noah Creek for a fish. An alternate return is to walk south along the beach and back along the road from the southern beach access and car park.

Duration

1-2 Hours (Return)

Starts

Quarry Trailhead Hub

Grade

Moderate Hike

Attractions

Beach

HUT TO HUT LINK TRAIL

Trail links the Huts to the Quarry Trailhead hub around 10-20 minutes from The Ridge Hut or 20-40 minutes from The Lodge, Ochre & Bower Huts. The quarry is ideal as a meeting point for large groups doing The Fossil Falls, Summit or Table Top Mountain Trails and provides a walking link between huts.

Duration

0.5-1 Hour (Each Way)

Starts

Huts via Quarry Trailhead Hub

Grade

Easy Walk with Moderate Hike Sections

Attractions

Links Huts to Quarry Trailheads

FOSSIL FALLS CREEK HOP TRAIL

The Fossil Falls Creek Hop Trail parallels a small creek bed and has you rock hopping up to Fossil Falls. The trail winds directly behind The Ridge House, an alternate departure point. A dip in small swimming holes or under the falls is possible. Take extra caution on wet slippery rocks and steep inclines.

Duration

1-2 Hours (Return)

Starts

Quarry or The Ridge House

Grade

Hard Hike

Attractions

Waterfall, Small Bat Caves

Mount Emmett Summit Trek

Experienced walkers only. Local guides required. The trail continues on from the base of Fossil Falls and climbs up the adjacent ridge to the Mt Emmett summit. Your guide can then take you to a cliff vantage point for a picnic lunch while looking out over the river mouth and reef. Treks must be logged with the Reserve reception.

Duration

5-6 Hours (Return)

Starts

Quarry Trailhead Hub

Grade

Challenging Trek

Attractions

Fossil Falls, Hobbit’s Hole, Reef and River Mouth Views

Riverside Boardwalk

The trail down to Noah Creek starts just down from The Lodge, Ochre and Bower hut access tracks and crosses over a deep ravine. The track continues along a narrow ridge overlooking Noah Creek. A zig-zag stairway (the ‘Stairway to Heaven’) then descends down a sloping cliff face to the edge of Noah Creek. From the base of the stairway you have a choice a gravel path continues along to a boardwalk following the steep bank of the creek  at the end of which, around a turn of the boardwalk, you suddenly arrive at a grassy clearing and the impressive River House or take a turn and brave the Dragon’s hole.

Duration

5-6 Hours (Return)

Starts

Quarry Trailhead Hub

Grade

Challenging Trek

Attractions

Fossil Falls, Hobbit’s Hole, Reef and River Mouth Views

TABLE TOP MOUNTAIN TREK

Experienced walkers only. Local guides required. Follows the same path as the Summit Trek, but deviates at the summit to track along the Table Top Mountain via a natural spring; then back down an alternate ridge adjacent to the Saw Mill Falls. Overnight Table Top Mountain Trekking can be made by special arrangement. Treks must be logged with the Reserve reception.

Duration

6-7 Hours (Loop)

Starts

Quarry Trailhead Hub

Grade

Challenging Trek

Attractions

Fossil and Saw Mill Falls, Reef and River Mouth Views

SAFETY INFORMATION

Groups must notify the Reserve Manager of plans prior to departure and upon return for all hikes and use of walking trails.

The manager will be able to pass on to you up to date trail condition information. At times, this may include open / closed trail information and up to date time restrictions for guest use of restricted trails. There are restrictions in place at times during the year, to help prevent erosion and in turn minimize our impact to the local environment.

Further information, maps and directions are available upon arrival. Please note no unauthorised access is permitted to the reserve and its walking trails.

For more hiking safety and grade information click here.

Staying Safe on a Walk or Hike

Walking in the Noah Valley Reserve provides a great opportunity for truly exploring the local rainforest. To ensure protection of this wonderful environment, please ensure minimal disturbance to plants and animals along your path. Do not feed the animals and always remove any waste.

Walks are graded by ability requirements

  • Easy Walk: Suitable for all ages, but take care with children. Generally even surface
  • Moderate Hike: Some steps and inclines; for people who walk occasionally. Irregular Surface with loose, uneven base
  • Hard Hike: Steep steps and inclines: for people who walk regularly. Visitors with heart or respiratory problems should not attempt these walks
  • Challenging Trek: long distance trail with steep inclines, irregular surface, uneven base, suitable for experienced walkers with navigation skills, high level of fitness

Generally all walks on the Reserve fall into a moderate to hard hike classification with the exception of the Creek Walk, Mill Walk and day use function venue areas.

Please note Noah’s requires the use of experienced local guides for all remote challenging treks i.e. mountain treks. Guides can be arranged with prior notice i.e. upon booking.

In some of the reserve areas, walking tracks take advantage of native animal tracks and are not always clearly signposted or marked, stay aware of your surroundings and the topography and be sure to take care not to wander off your planned route.

If you’re keen to head out on a longer hike or overnight camp always be prepared. The rainforest, due to cover gets dark early, ensure you plan to finish your walk well within daylight hours. An experienced guide does their research and plans your walk around the group’s capabilities ensuring everyone is comfortable with the planned route.

Check weather forecasts and conditions with the Noah Valley’s Reserve Manager and be aware that weather conditions can change.

Walk in groups of three or more – in an emergency one might need to wait with an injured person while the other gets help. Individual travel insurance is also recommended as emergency extraction in remote areas is often by helicopter and can be costly.

Some hikes require scrambling and rock hopping skills. If you’re uncertain of the difficulty of the walks, contact the local Reserve Manager. Stream beds can offer quick access further into the rainforest but note rock hopping over rocks and boulders can be very slippery, especially after rain.

The Valley offers only very limited mobile phone service; consider taking a locator beacon which can be used as a last resort.

Always provide route details with the Reserve Manager and tell them about any medical conditions and when to expect you back.

Wear or take appropriate clothing and closed-toe footwear and always take a waterproof jacket. Note hard sole walking boots can be less than ideal on slippery rocks. For longer walks take more water and snacks and a first aid kit. Remember insect repellent and a torch.

Check in when you return and report any trail hazards or track condition issues to the Reserve Manager. This way information is constantly passed on to the next walkers.

TOUR GROUPS & GUIDE ACCESS

Noah Valley Rainforest Trails works closely with a number of local tour operators providing exclusive time slotted access into the valley. We have limited spaces available but will happily take enquiries.

We are also always looking for professional local guides to add to our list offered direct to guests.

Tour Operators / Guides must have own liability insurances, agree to Noah’s terms and conditions, must provide guidance to guests at all times whilst on the property and must ensure pre-notification to site manager for all private walks or hikes with communication around entry and exit to the reserve.

Our aim is to offer exclusive private tour facilities and trails for both guests and out tour operator business partners. Access times must be agreed and adhered to.

PLEASE TAKE NOTE OF OUR BOOKING TERMS AND CONDITIONS. IN PARTICULAR:

Adverse Weather

In the event of adverse weather conditions (e.g. wet season, major flooding, cyclones, damage from tree falls), Noah’s at its discretion may close the Reserve, all or in part; and will attempt to contact affected operators before arrival and / or assist in finding alternate routes on the Reserve. Reserve trail closure is to protect the safety of Guests and the natural environment.

Liability

It is acknowledged that the property is in a wilderness area and that all Guests should at all times exercise caution whilst on the Reserve. The Operators hereby indemnify Noah’s against all actions claims demands losses damages costs and expenses which their employee’s, guest or their invitee may sustain or incur or for which Noah’s may become liable as a result of their Guest staying or walking on the property.

Hazard Reporting

We ask that you assist us by immediately report any incident, any observed trail hazards and or maintenance needs to the Reserve Manager.