An "unfit" hiker who scaled a mountain near the NSW-Queensland border had to be airlifted from the summit after becoming too tired to walk down.

The man, who reportedly weighed 115kg, called 000 on Monday evening after running out of energy following the 8.8km trek up Mt Warning.

A man called 000 after running out of energy following the 8.8km trek up Mt Warning. Credit:Blazej Lyjak

With low cloud covering the mountain, a volunteer rescue crew of nearly 20 people set off from the base to reach him.

But the weather cleared, allowing a helicopter to lift him to safety.