You can’t miss the perky Crooked Top Mountain on the Nambucca Valley skyline beyond Bowraville.
The topographic map shows a route up, so off we went. The first 3km were easy forest trail walking. At a sharp corner on the road we clambered up the steep embankment and over a large fallen log. Faded pink tape dangling from a tree confirmed that we had found the old overgrown snig track shown on the map.
We followed the ridge to climb up to the peak, with lovely views of the Nambucca Valley through the trees and an old trig beacon at the summit.
Four kilometres of this route, up and down from the summit after leaving Orange Tree Road, is challenging walking despite the indication of a track on the map. There is no clear path and you will need to make your own way over large fallen trees and around numerous obstacles. Don’t tackle this walk unless you are an experienced bushwalker with good navigation skills and use a topographical map. There is no mobile coverage, so make sure you download maps to your phone for offline use, carry a printed map and take a PLB.
Start the walk from Bellbucca Road which turns off upper Missabotti Road. You will need a vehicle with high clearance. We parked at the intersection of Bellbucca and Orange Tree Road.
