Bushwalking track notes, photographs, maps and more for Hornsby to Fishponds hiking trail are found in each of the tabs below
Hornsby to Fishponds
Time
Distance
Climb
Style
3 Hrs
5 km
296 m
Return
0.4 km SSW of Hornsby
Berowra Valley Regional Park
Track: Hard
A short walk from Hornsby to reach a great spot for admiring Berowra Creek - this walk explores several different environments in the Regional Park along the way. Allow some time to sit and enjoy the view at Fishponds. Expect to see other people along the track as this is one of the most popular walks in the area.
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.
Please note: This is a 'return' style walk and therefore these graphs only show the terrain for the first half of the walk (until the turn around point.)
Cross sectional view of the Hornsby to Fishponds bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Hornsby to Fishponds bushwalking track
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(0 km) Hornsby Train Station to Rosemead Rd Park Track: Hard - road, servicetrail
Distance = 1.2 km
Time = 20 mins
Climb = 23 m
Descent = -126 m
From the west side of Hornsby Railway Station the track crosses Station St along the pedestrian crossing and immediately after crosses the Pacific Hwy at the traffic lights. Following the small Great North Walk Marker the track heads north alongside the Highway until turning left into Dural St. The track follows Dural until turning right into Quarry Rd, following this until coming to an intersection with a servicetrail going off to the right. This is signposted as the Old Man Valley From the intersection the track heads north-west along the asphalt road. This continues until coming to a small green sign saying 'Great North Walk' at an intersection with a bushtrack going off to the west. From the intersection the track goes west off Quarry Rd and onto the bushtrack following the 'Great North Walk' sign. This goes for a short while before coming to an intersection with a servicetrail marked by several small GNW signs. The track continues north-west following the smalll GNW marker along the bushtrackdown the stairs. This goes steadily and at times steeply down the hill along rock stairs until at the end breaking out into a large park at the end of Rosemead Rd. At the park the track follows the GNW marker across the park until reaching the large GNW sign and the start of another bushtrack.
(1.17 km) Rosemead Rd Park to Int of GNW and Blue Gum Walk (Nth) Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 1.1 km
Time = 20 mins
Climb = 44 m
Descent = -60 m
From the park at the bottom of Rosemead Rd the track heads west along the bushtrack which 10m after the start merges and changes to being a servicetrail. The servicetrail heads west and after passing the houses off to the left the track crosses a small creek and heads up to the north-east climbing steadily. Once reaching the top of the hill the track begins to slowly descend until coming to an intersection with a well-managed bushtrack going off to the right. This is one of the most beautiful sections of walking track in the area with the nice bushland surrounding a well-managed trail. From the intersection the track heads north downhill off the servicetrail until reaching tbe intersection at the large green GNW sign. From the intersection the track heads north. After approximately 75m the track descends steeply via carved rock stairs before flattening out. Approximately 75m before the end the track passes over a small bridge. This is just before coming to an intersection overlooking Berowra Creek. There are several large signs at the intersection.
(2.3 km) Int of GNW and Blue Gum Walk (Nth) to Fishponds Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 0.2 km
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 17 m
Descent = -26 m
From the intersection the track heads north-west along the bushtrack for a short while before winding down the hill along a narrow bushtrack to Fishponds to a creek crossing of Berowra Creek. This is dones on small stepping stones that have been installed across the creek. On the northern side of the creek the track winds up to the top of the hill, following the Great North Walk markers. At the top of the hill it is possible to see down below you Fishponds. The track continues north, winding down the hill to Fishponds which is a set of waterholes and a small creek crossing.
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
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.
This is a great walk right near the heart of suburban Hornsby...
Strong caution is advised if you want to swim, as many drownings have ocurred at the Fishponds over the years. It is also advised to be careful when walking along the banks as a young girl was killed when she slipped along the bank and was impaled on a branch.
Hiking near Sydney 
1 km
