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 are a mix of the best bushwalks in the area, and some lesser-known walks to help you avoid the crowds.
- 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: 7.4km
- Duration: 2-3 hours
- Grade: Easy/Moderate
The Bantry Bay Loop is a varied loop, which passes the Bantry Bay Aboriginal engravings next to the Engravings Track. It then descends to Bantry Bay along the Timber Getters Track and returns via the scenic Bluff Track.
Walk popularity?
- Fairly busy. One of the best bushwalks in Garigal National Park – do this one late afternoon for a nice sunset from the top of the Bluff Track.
- Features: Aboriginal heritage, Rock formations, Views
- Distance: 3km
- Duration: 1-2 hours
- Grade: Easy
The Barrenjoey Lighthouse Walk is a short, easy and popular loop walk that offers sweeping views over the Barrenjoey peninsula, Broken Bay and the Hawkesbury River.
Walk popularity?
- Very busy. A great walk with some of the best views – but go early morning, late afternoon or during the week as this is also a popular walk (for good reason).
- Features: Aboriginal heritage, Rock formations, Trig Station, Views
- 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: 4.3km
- Duration: 1-2 hours
- Grade: Easy
The Resolute Loop is a great little walk that passes an Aboriginal engraving site, offers great views over Pittwater and provides access to two secluded beaches
Walk popularity?
- Busy. Being one of the best West Head bushwalks, this loop gets busy on weekends. Go early or late if you can, which also gives you a better chance of seeing some wildlife.
- Features: Aboriginal heritage, Beaches, Views
- Distance: 2.8km
- Duration: 1-2 hours
- Grade: Easy/Moderate
Duffys Wharf Track and the Slades Trail can be combined into a loop; a fantastic little hike that descends to Duffys Wharf on Cowan Creek and back up to Slades Lookout.
Walk popularity?
- Fairly busy. Both trails are fairly well-known to locals; if you’re prepared to do some off-track walking you’ll lose the crowds (map/GPS essential).
- Alternatives: If you prefer to stick to trails, an out-and-back walk to Duffys Wharf is the pick, but try and go early or late to avoid the crowds.
- 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