Created about 26 million years ago, Mount Coolum is a laccolith, formed when a dome-shaped bulge of magma cooled below the Earth's surface,[3] roughly circular in plan with tall cliffs on the eastern and southern side.

It rises abruptly from the coastal plain to a 208 m peak, resembling the Glasshouse Mountains to the south.

The lower part of the track is deceptively well-formed and gentle but it quickly deteriorates to become very steep, very rough and dangerously slippery when wet.

The peak hosts a cage containing an aircraft hazard obstacle light, necessary because of the mountain's close proximity to the Sunshine Coast Airport.

[citation needed] A pair of peregrine falcons are reported to nest on the cliffs.