It seems with each lockdown, the bushwalking trails get busier and more crowded. We’re fortunate to have many pockets of bushland in Ku-ring-gai, as well as easy to access to some of Sydney’s biggest national parks (36% of addresses in Ku-ring-gai are within 130m of bushland – only the Blue Mountains and Shoalhaven areas have a higher percentage). Here’s a few suggestions for bushwalks you can still do, with a few options that are a bit off the beaten track where you might have a chance of solitude and isolation!
- All bushwalks below start within the Ku-ring-gai LGA – a small number of them cross over into the Northern Beaches LGA, so please check the distance from your address to ensure compliance to NSW Health orders
- For more bushwalking suggestions there’s a much longer list of walks within the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park and Garigal National Park
- For dog-friendly hikes, have a look at Bushwalking with Dogs in Sydney’s North.
- Distance: 4.1km
- Duration: 1-2 hours
- Grade: Easy
A one-walk along the Little Digger Track and Two Creeks Track, from East Lindfield to Roseville. Along the way we explore a "secret cave", waterfalls and Aboriginal hand stencils.
Walk popularity?
- Features: Aboriginal heritage, Caves, Rock formations, Waterfall
- Distance: 5.6km
- Duration: 1-2 hours
- Grade: Easy
The Cascades Track is a short trail down to a large rock platform and picturesque waterhole on Middle Harbour Creek, in the northern suburbs of Sydney. Combines with the Bare Creek Track and Cambourne Trail for a longer loop walk.
Walk popularity?
- Busy. The Cascades Track is a popuar trail for bushwalkers and mountain-bikers. You’ll see a few less people along the Bare Creek Track and Cambourne Trail.
- Alternatives: The Cascades Track provides acces from St Ives to the Middle Harbour Track, which allows many longer walk options.
- Features: Mountain biking, Urban walk, Waterhole
- Distance: 8.6km
- Duration: 2-3 hours
- Grade: Easy
A pleasant loop along Middle Harbour and Carroll Creek from St Ives, returning via the Davidson Track.
Walk popularity?
- Mixed. Parts of this loop (like the Governor Phillip Walk) will be super-busy on a weekend. But the loop also follows some trails which will be relatively quiet.
- Alternatives: The Casuarina and Lyrebird Loop is a similar loop which shares some of the same tracks.
- Distance: 9.1km
- Duration: 3-4 hours
- Grade: Moderate
The Casuarina and Lyrebird Loop is an interesting bushwalk through Garigal National Park. It combines the Casuarina Track, Lyrebird Track and Carroll Creek Track, and has some very nice sections along Middle Harbour and Carrol Creek.
Walk popularity?
- Mixed. This one of the best walks in Garigal National Park, so it will be fairly busy especially along the Lyrebird Track.
- Alternatives: You can also access this loop via the Pipeline Track in St Ives.
- Features: Rainforest, Rock formations, Waterfall, Waterhole
- Distance: 5km
- Duration: 2-3 hours
- Grade: Moderate
A mostly off-track walk in the Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden, which follows Ku-ring-gai Creek and Tree Fern Gully Creek to explore the many cascades and waterfalls.
Walk popularity?
- Features: Waterfall
- Distance: 4.7km
- Duration: 1-2 hours
- Grade: Moderate
A rough side-track from the popular Warrimoo Track leads to Christies Pool, a tranquil swimming hole at the confluence of Ku-ring-gai Creek and Kierans Creek.
Walk popularity?
- Few people once you leave the Warrimoo Track – but part of the walk is on a very rough/indistinct route so some navigation skills required.
- Features: Rock formations, Waterhole
- Distance: 7.7km
- Duration: 2-3 hours
- Grade: Easy/Moderate
The Darri Track is a reasonably varied bushwalking track which follows a thin section of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, eventually meeting up with the much busier Warrimoo Track.
Walk popularity?
- Moderate. You won’t have this track to yourself on the weekend, but it’s less busy than the Warrimoo Track.
- Distance: 6.4km
- Duration: 2-3 hours
- Grade: Moderate
Frog Hollow Fire Trail links a number of fire trails and bushwalking tracks in North Wahroonga, allowing many hiking possibilities.
Walk popularity?
- Busy along the firetrails. But once you’re on the bushwalking tracks you won’t see too many people.
- Features: Rock formations, Views
- Distance: 14.6km
- Duration: 4-6 hours
- Grade: Moderate/Hard
A challenging circuit that descends from Wahroonga to Cowan Creek at Bobbin Head via the Murrua Fire Trail and returns via the popular Gibberagong Track.
Walk popularity?
- Mixed. The popular Gibberagong Track will be busy on weekends, but you won’t see many people on the other trails. Parts of the loop are on minor tracks and some navigation may be required.
- Alternatives: A shorter (10km) and less challenging loop is possible by returning via the Murrua Fire Trail.
- Features: Aboriginal heritage, Off-track walks, Rock formations, Views, Waterfall, Waterhole
- Distance: 19km
- Duration: 4-6 hours
- Grade: Moderate/Hard
The Middle Harbour Creek circuit is a relatively long bushwalk around Middle Harbour Creek. The route goes down one side of the creek from St Ives to Roseville Bridge, returning on the opposite side. This loop combines the Governor Phillip Walk. Lyre Bird Track, Two Creeks Track and Lockley Track.
Walk popularity?
- Varies. Some part of the walk are busier than others. The Lyrebird Track from Davidson Park gets very busy on weekends; conversely the more challenging section between Gordon Creek and the Stepping Stones gets far less people.
- Features: Rock formations, Views