Bushwalking track notes, photographs, maps and more for Berowra to Hornsby hiking trail are found in each of the tabs below
Berowra to Hornsby
Time
Distance
Climb
Style
11 Hrs
18.3 km
1700 m
One way
1.1 km NNE of Berowra
Berowra Valley Regional Park
Track: Hard
One of the longer recognised walks in Berowra Valley Regional Park, this track largely follows Berowra Creek and the Great North Walk. Excellent views of the creek can be expected, especially at places like Naa Badu Lookout and Fishponds. Be sure to pace yourself and take regular breaks. Crosslands and Tunks Ridge Reserve are popular rest places.
Bushwalking can be fun and interesting when you are well prepared. Please ensure you and your group are well prepared and equipped for all possible dangers. The authors, staff and owners of wildwalks take care in preparing these notes but do not accept responsibility for any inconvenience, loss or injury sustained when using these notes. Please take care and feel free to provide feedback through our website. Please note that side trips and alternate routes mentioned in these notes are not included in the tracks overall rating, distance or time estimate. The notes also only describe the side trip and alternate routes in one direction.
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(0 km) Berowra Station to Int of Crowley Rd and Benowie Walking Track Walk: Easy - road
Distance = 0.7 km
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 22 m
Descent = -10 m
From the north-western side of Berowra Station the track crosses the Pacific Hwy using the set of traffic lights. Once on the other side of the road the track turns left and heads south-west along the shop-front until turning right into Berowra Waters Rd. The trail follows this past Berowra Park Oval until reaching the roundababout at Crowley Rd. Turn left into Crowley and follow this for a very short period before coming to the start of a bushtrack, signposted with a large Berowra Valley Regional Park sign.
(0.65 km) Crowley Rd to Sam's Creek Int Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 1.8 km
Time = 50 mins
Climb = 103 m
Descent = -178 m
From Crowley Rd, Berowra marked by the large Great North Walk signpost the track heads west long the bushtrack behind the houses of Berowra. After a short period the track beings to go down. During this section due to the steepness of the descent there are several instances where handrails have been installed. Once reaching the bottom of this hill the track continues west along the now flat bushtrack until coming an intersection with a servicetrail. At this point the track turns right and heads slightly uphill along the servicetrail. Approximately, 250m before the track changes to bushtrack the trail bypasses a large servicetrail heading up to the north. Continuing along the servicerail with several small ups and downs the track comes to an intersection with a bushtrack, marked by a large sign pointing to Crosslands and Berowra Waters.
(2.43 km) Sam's Creek Int to Naa Badu Lookout Optional Side Trip: Track: Moderate - Service Trail
Distance = 0.3 km
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 20 m
Descent = -25 m
From the intersection, the track heads west along the servicetrail for approximately 200m until coming to the Naa Badu lookout.
(2.43 km) Sam's Creek Int to Crosslands Track: Hard - Bush Track
Distance = 3.5 km
Time = 1 Hrs 55 mins
Climb = 337 m
Descent = -482 m
From the intersection marked by the signs pointing to Berowra and Berowra Waters the track heads south going steeply down the bushtrack. During this section the track zig-zags down the hill and is very steep however the council has put in place handrails in several sections as well as installed a chair halfway down. During the climb down there are some good views over Berowra Creek and the bushland to the south. Once reaching the creekbed at the bottom of the hill the track follows the Great North Walk markers across the boulders of Sam's Creek. From here the tarck flattens out and heads south alongside Berowra Creek. Due to the fact that this section of the walk is right at the bottom of the hill and at waterlevel, sections of this are quite muddy frequently. This changes however as the track rises slightly above the waterline and becomes a better managed bushtrack. This continues with several small ups and downs until arriving at a large grasslnds. At this point the tarck changes to boardwlk and heads south-east across the grasslands until coming to an intersection with several bushtarcks and a bridge going across Calna Creek. This is marked by a large Great North Walk sign. From the intersection on the east bank of Calna Creel (marked by the large Great North Walk sign), the track heads west across the creek along the footbridge. Once on the opposite bank the track immeditely begins to ascend the hill using the bushtrack until reaching the top of the knoll. At this point the track heads back down the other side and continues south-west, gradually turning more to the south. At this point the track runs both paralleal and at the level of Berowra Creek. During this section there are several informational signs on the flora, fauna and rock formation of the area. This continues until reaching a small section of boardwalk just before entering Crosslands. Approximately halfway along the footbridge there is a very nice lookout over Berowra Creek. The track emerges at a large informtionaal sign on the area and the Great North Walk. From here the track heads south-east (left) across lands of Crosslnds until coming to the carprak at the end of Somerville Rd.
Crosslands
Alt = 1
Crosslands is a large open reserve next to Berowra Creek. Access is by the multiple bushtracks,creek or Somerville Rd Hornsby Heights. Facilities at the reserve include picnic shelters, wood barbecues, toilets, parking and a children's playground. For more enquiries including information on camping contact Hornsby Shire Council on (02) 9847 6791.
(5.95 km) Crosslands to Galston Gorge Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 5.9 km
Time = 3 Hrs
Climb = 679 m
Descent = -635 m
From the carpark at the end of Somerville Road, Crosslands the track heads south-west across the grasslands, past the toilets and picnic tables and onto the bushtrack at the very end of the parklnds. Once on the bushtrack the trail continues south-west alongside Berowra Creek on relatively flt tril tht goes through the undergrowth of ferns until reching severl smll unofficil cmpsites. From the small campsites just out of Crosslands the track heads south along the bushtrack next to Berowra Creek. . During this section there are numerous small ups and and down as well as several small creek crossings. At these points the stepping stones can be quite slippery. After a while the track rises to the ridgeline. Once reaching this point the track becomes wider, following the Great North Walk markers. This section of the walk has some some excellent views over the Berowra Valley. Additionally it is very easy to navigate due to there only being one trai and being well signposted. This continues until just before the end making a short descent via a set of log stairs down to the rest area on Galston Gorge Rd.
(11.82 km) Galston Gorge to Tunks Ridge Reserve Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 1.9 km
Time = 50 mins
Climb = 220 m
Descent = -104 m
From the Galston Gorge Rest area on the northern side of Galston Gorge Rd, marked by several Great North Walk signposts the track descends down to Berowra Creek and crosses under the bridge and over the creek via a small set of stepping stones. Immediately upon the other side the track heads up the other side of the bank and onto the southern side of the road. (It is possible to walk across the top of the bridge from the northern to the southern bank without descending down to the creek level.) From the road the track ascends steeply up the rough and often unstable bushtrack until reaching the ridge. Due to the instability of some sections of this ascent the Council has put in manufactured ladders and stairs to improve the conditions. Upon reaching the top of this section the track changes to being a servicetrail and continues south. This continues with the track gradually rising until reaching a large campsite signposted as the Tunks Ridge Reserve.
Tunks Ridge Reserve campsite
Alt = 163
This is an extremely large, shady and flat campsite with servicetrails coming in from the east, north and south. In the western corner of the campsite there is a pit toilet. There is no water (You will need to carry your own in). There are also no rubbish bins.
(13.73 km) Tunks Ridge Reserve to Baily Bridge Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 0.4 km
Time = 40 mins
Climb = 32 m
Descent = -156 m
From Tunks Ridge Reserve the track heads steadily north-east gradually down along the ridgeline servicetrail. Approximately halfway along this section the track becomes considerably steeper and winds down along the service trail into the valley. Once reaching Berowra Creek the track crosses the creek via Bailey Bridge (the large Military Steel). On the other of the bridge the track immediately comes across an intersection with a servicetrail and a bushtrack, This is marked by several large Great North Walk signposts.
(14.12 km) Baily Bridge to Fishponds Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 1.8 km
Time = 35 mins
Climb = 95 m
Descent = -76 m
From the intersection near the large Military Steel Bridge, the track heads south-east along the bushtrack running parallel to Berowra Creek, which offers some good views of the sandstone country in the region as well as the creek. After a reasonable length of time the track comes to Fishponds.
Fishponds
Alt = 54
Fishponds is a very pretty series that has become a populour swimming spot for locals. The waterholes have developed through the erosion of the rock over time. Unfortunately, this area has also a dangerous reputation and has claimed the lives of many people who have used the place as a jumping rock. For more information follow the link. More info
(15.87 km) Fishponds to Int of GNW and Blue Gum Walk (Nth) Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 0.2 km
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 26 m
Descent = -17 m
From Fishponds the track crosses the creek and heads up the hill to the south before flattening out and going along the ridge for a short period before winding down the hill, following the small Great North Walk markers. This goes down to and across Berowra Creek using a set of small stepping stones. Once on the southern bank the track turns to the south-west and goes up slightly before coming to an intersection with a bushtrack signposted as the way to Hornsby.
(16.05 km) Int of GNW and Blue Gum Walk (Nth) to Rosemead Rd Park Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 1.1 km
Time = 20 mins
Climb = 60 m
Descent = -44 m
From the intersection the track follows the signs south along the Alternative Great North Walk route. Approximately 75m along the track the trail passes over a small bridge and approximately 100m before the end climbs steeply to the top of the hill using the carved rock stairs. Once on the top the track flattens out before coming to an intersection with a bushtrack withb a large sign on the corner. From the intersection the track heads south uphill until coming to the intersection with the servicetrail . From the intersection the track heads south gradually to the top of the small hill. Once on the top the track zig zags down to the south until passing over a small creek. Just past these the track passes several houses off to the right. 10m before the end the track gets off the servicetrail following the GNW markers and onto a bushtrack and goes into the park at the bottom of Rosemead Rd.
Rosemead Rd Park
Alt = 82
This is a relatively small park surrounded by shady eucalyptus trees that would be a good spot to break along the walk. It has several small picnic tables and chairs as well as fresh water.
(17.17 km) Rosemead Rd Park to Hornsby Train Station Walk: Easy - servicetrail, road, road
Distance = 1.2 km
Time = 20 mins
Climb = 126 m
Descent = -23 m
From the park at the end of Rosemead Rd tbe track heads north-east across the park and onto the bushtrack going up the hill. This climbs steadily and sometimes steeply along rockstairs until coming to an intersection with a servicetrail signposted with several small GNW markers. From the intersection the track heads east along the bushtrack away from the servicetrail. This goes for a short while before comking to an intersection with an asphalt road. This is the end Quarry Rd and is signposted with several GNW signs From the intersection the track heads south-east along the aspalt road. This continues until coming to a large servicetrail going off to the left. This is signposted as the Old Man Valley Servicetrail.
From the intersection the track heads east along Quarry Rd, gradually turning to the south until coming to Dural St where the track turns left. Following the Great North Walk markers the track heads east until turning right at the Pacific Hwy. The trail turns left at the traffic lights and goes east across Station St and into the west side of Hornsby Railway Station.
Following the Berowra River the Berowra River National Park is located on the Hornsby Plateau and is made up of typical Hawkesbury Sandstone . Through this walking tracks stretch from Pennant Hills to Brooklyn with the main track, The Great North Walk spanning the entire park. The area has varied vegetation including many different sorts of Eucalyptus as well as native animals however these are largely nocturnal. There are several campsites within the Park with the main one being Crosslands Reserve, in northern Hornsby Heights.
Hiking near Sydney 
5 km
