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: 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: 8.2km
- Duration: 3-4 hours
- Grade: Easy/Moderate
The Flat Rock Beach circuit is a very nice loop walk through Garigal National Park around Killarney Heights. It combines the Flat Rock Beach Track, Magazine Track and Bates Creek Track.
Walk popularity?
- Busy. Most of these walking tracks are popular and will get busy on weekends. It’s a great walk though, so go early or late to avoid the crowds.
- Features: Beaches, Coastal, Rock formations, Views, Waterfall
- Distance: 3.6km
- Duration: 1-2 hours
- Grade: Easy
Easy walk down to Flint and Steel Beach, before continuing east along the coastline to the next bay.
Walk popularity?
- Features: Aboriginal heritage, Beaches, Swimming, Views
- Distance: 2.8km
- Duration: 1-2 hours
- Grade: Moderate
This short and partly off-track Flint and Steel Loop bushwalk connects Flint and Steel Bay and Flint and Steel Beach at West Head via a rough track around the headland. Low tide best.
Walk popularity?
- Mixed. The track to Flint and Steel Beach will be busy on a weekend, but you’ll see very few people as you make your way around the coastline and back up the Flint and Steel Bay track.
- Alternatives: The out-and-back walk to Flint and Steel Beach is nice, but go very late afternoon or during the week to avoid the crowds.
- Features: Beaches, Coastal, Rock formations, Swimming, 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: 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
- 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
- Distance: 5.8km
- Duration: 1-2 hours
- Grade: Easy
The Smiths Creek Trail is a pleasant bushwalk in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. The firetrail descends through eucalypt forest to open grassland and a tidal creek.
Walk popularity?
- Quiet. You may see a few people, but this is not not a well-known or popular trail.
- Alternatives: Although the nearby Cowan Trail and Long Trail have a nice view at the end, this is a nicer trail and far less busy.
- Distance: 13.2km
- Duration: 3-4 hours
- Grade: Moderate
A pleasant one-way walk from St Ives (via the Warrimoo Track) to Mt Ku-ring-gai station. It follows Cowan Creek and traverses Bobbin Head, where you can stop for a coffee or snack.
Walk popularity?
- Busy. This is a great walk with a variety of scenery, but it’s popular (especially the firetrail section of Warrimoo Track)
- Alternatives: Get away from the crowds by veering off the Warrimoo Track to Christies Pool, for an off-track adventure
- Features: Cafe, Views, Wildflowers