Getting There – Wollongong to Yadboro (180km, 3 1/2 hours)
Departing from Wollongong, travel approximately 140 kms south on the Southern Freeway and Princes Highway to Milton. Travel south through Milton and turn right at the traffic lights on to Croobyar Rd. This intersection is signposted to "Pigeon House Mtn" and "Shallow Crossing". Also at this intersection is the Rainbow Pie Shop.

Head west on Croobyar Road which becomes Woodstock Road and then Woodburn road. Approximately 15.5 kms from the Princes Highway turnoff, the junction of Clyde Ridge [Forest] Rd is reached. This junction is sign posted "[To] Pigeon House Mountain [14km]". There is also a bus shelter and driveway for "Clive Ridge Park" at this intersection.

Turn right onto the Clyde Ridge Road which is a dirt road that is (usually) suitable for 2WD vehicles. Travel along the road for 7.6 kms, past Three Falls Road, Mimosa Park Road, McMahons Road, and Boyne Creek Road before veering right onto Yadboro Road. Follow Yadboro Road for approximately 13.5 kms, past Matts Creek Road, Blue Gum Flat Road, and Deadmans Gulch Road until a timber bridge over the Clyde River is reached at Yadboro Flats.

NB. Veer *left* at the Pigeon House Mountain turnoff (once on the dirt roads)

The road becomes Western Distributor Road which is followed for approximately 3.2 kms to the junction with Long Gully Road. This junction is signposted with "a small sign inscribed 'To The Castle'". Turn right on to Long Gully Road and follow it downhill for approximately 1.5 kms to the carpark and camping area on the right side of the road.

DAY 1

From the car park at Long Gully [GR 446 878 YADBORO] start along The Castle Walking Trail. Almost immediately the trail crosses the Yadboro River and climbs up on to Kalianna Ridge. After a particularly steep uphill section, the south western tip of the base of The Castle is approached. The track here takes a small detour to the east to avoid the now closed rope-assisted scramble up a short conglomerate slope.

From the top of the bypassed conglomerate slope the track continues north following the base of the cliffs. After approximately 1.3 kms the track forks in two. The right hand track leads to "The Tunnel" and will be used for the return trek. Today the left hand track is followed to the saddle between Mount Nibelung and the Castle.

The saddle should be reached in time for lunch.

After lunch, continue to the East of the saddle, following the trail towards The Castle. You will pass the Northern entrance to the tunnel, and then after 15-20 minutes the base of The Castle climb will be reached.

At the base of the climb, prepare yourself for an arduous couple of hours as there will be lots of scrambling and pack hauling to get to the top. There are a number of places to stop along the way to take in the inspiring views of The Budawangs laid out in front of [GR 452 905 CASTLE].

An alternative camping area for the night, if the summit is not reached is back at Cooyoyo creek [GR 454 916 COYOYO] which is just North from The Saddle.

DAY 2
Fortunately, our second day is all down hill!

Careful work your way back down from the summit of The Castle, to the saddle and then follow Kalianna ridge back to Yadboro.