Exploring the Creeks and Ridges
There are worse places to be stuck in a lockdown than the Northern Beaches, which is bounded by the ocean to the east, and bushland and Cowan Creek to the west. As well as having 145 bushland and wetland reserves (covering 1700ha), the Northern Beaches Council LGA includes Garigal National Park, and a large part of Ku-ring-Chase National Park. The walks listed below explore some of the ridges and creeks of the bushland in the Northern Beaches area.
- All bushwalks below are within (or very close) to the Northern Beaches LGA, but please confirm they comply to the current NSW Health orders based on where you live.
- For more bushwalking suggestions have a look at the 80+ bushwalks in the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park and Garigal National Park guides
- Distance: 3.9km
- Duration: 1-2 hours
- Grade: Easy
A short-ish loop bushwalk down the Caleyi Trail in Garigal National Park, returning via the Ya Right and Coopers Blue mountain-bike tracks to form an interesting loop.
Walk popularity?
- Quiet. Limited parking at the trailhead and a not-very-nice starting point means you’ll probably only see a few mountain-bikers. Keep an eye for MTBs on the unofficial tracks used to form this loop.
- Alternatives: You can also reach this trail from Deep Creek, where there’s more parking – but a lot more people.
- Features: Aboriginal heritage, Rock formations, Waterfall
- 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: 9.2km
- Duration: 2-3 hours
- Grade: Easy
The Cooyong Neverfail Trail Loop combines a number of firetrails to form a bushwalking or mountain-biking route through the Ku-ring-gai National Park near Terrey Hills.
Walk popularity?
- Distance: 8.3km
- Duration: 2-3 hours
- Grade: Easy
The Deep Creek Loop bushwalk in the Garigal National Park combines the Slippery Dip Trail and Caleyi Trail with some bushwalking / MTB tracks. Some varied terrain and nice viewpoints over Narrabeen.
Walk popularity?
- Moderate. Deep Creek Reserve is a popular spot, and many mountain bike trails start here. As you continue along the Dep Creek Trail you’ll find you have the tracks mostly to yourself.
- Alternatives: You can also access the Slippery Dip Trail from Belrose; the eastern end of the trail used by this loop is generally less busy.
- Features: Aboriginal heritage, Rock formations, Trig Station, Views, Waterfall
- Distance: 5.5km
- Duration: 3-4 hours
- Grade: Easy/Moderate
A partly off-track bushwalk through the southern section of the Red Hill Reserve from Beacon Hill. The loop walk explores some rock formations and Aboriginal engraving sites.
Walk popularity?
- Features: Aboriginal heritage
- Distance: 11km
- Duration: 3-4 hours
- Grade: Moderate
The Five Mile Creek Loop is a somewhat complicated circuit through the northern part of Garigal National Park, incorporating formal trails and unofficial tracks to form a loop walk.
Walk popularity?
- Not busy. You may encounter a few mountain-bikers, but this loop combines many unofficial tracks to form a loop walk. Make sure you being a GPS or map!
- Alternatives: A shorter loop is Down to Five Mile Creek, which also uses a mix of firetrails and unofficial tracks.
- Features: Aboriginal heritage, Off-track walks, 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: 7km
- Duration: 1-2 hours
- Grade: Easy
A circuit in Garigal National Park, combining the Heath Trail and Bare Creek Trail, and returning via a bushwalking/MTB trail which has some nice views over the park.
Walk popularity?
- Mixed. Bare Creek is a popular trail, but for most of this loop you shouldn’t see too many people, as it uses secondary trails.
- Alternatives: You can also access the Bare Creek Loop from the Cascades Track in St Ives.
- Features: Rock formations, Views
- Distance: 13.5km
- Duration: 4-6 hours
- Grade: Moderate/Hard
The Pylons Loop from Warrimoo to the St Ives Wildlife Garden is a varied and partly off-track loop. It links the Warrimoo Track, Ryland Trail, Callamine Trail and Showground Trail and makes use of a number of fire trails that service electricity pylons.
Walk popularity?
- Once you’re off the Warrimoo Track, you won’t see many people. A map and basic navigation skills required, as the walk involves some informal and indistinct tracks.
- Features: Off-track walks, Waterhole, Wildflowers