Bushwalking track notes, photographs, maps and more for Mt Ku-Ring-Gai to Cowan (via Berowra Waters) hiking trail are found in each of the tabs below
Mt Ku-Ring-Gai to Cowan (via Berowra Waters)
Time
Distance
Climb
Style
8 Hrs 30 mins
15.1 km
1369 m
One way
2.5 km SSW of Berowra
Berowra Valley Regional Park
Track: Hard
Ridge tops, grasslands, creek crossings and spectacular views are all part of this walk as it ventures from the ridge above Berowra Creek down to water level and back up again. Take the short and free ferry ride across the creek to get lunch at Berowra Waters. Also conserve your energy for the steep sections between Berowra Waters and Cowan.
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) Mt Ku-ring-gai Railway Station to Entry into Berowra Valley Regional Park via Glenview Rd Walk: Easy - footpath
Distance = 0.3 km
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 6 m
Descent = -13 m
From the west end of Mt Ku-ring-gai railway station the track turns left and heads south along the Pacific Hwy until coming to the traffic lights at the intersection with Glenview Rd. Immediately after crossing the road a servicetrail veers off Glenview Rd marked by a large boom gate and sign stating Berowra Valley Regional Park.
(0.34 km) Entry into Berowra Regional Valley Park via Glenview Rd to Calna Creek Int Track: Hard - Bush Track
Distance = 3.9 km
Time = 1 Hrs 40 mins
Climb = 202 m
Descent = -412 m
From the entry into the park marked by the large signs and boom gate this track begins by descending very steeply down an asphalted servicetrail until reaching a large grassy clearing at the bottom. From this point the track turns north-west and continues along a narrow bushtrack steadily descending until reaching Calna Creek. Once the track reaches the creek it continues alongside it following the Great North Walk markers. At various points the track crosses the creek at the shallow points. This is achieved by stepping stones and boulders. This continues until the track flattens out on the eastern bank of the creek and goes through the grasslands until reaching a small makeshift campsite. Approximately 100m beyond the campsite the track comes to an intersection with another bushtrack. This is marked with Great North Walk signs and a large bridge crossing the creek to the west.
(4.25 km) Calna Creek int to Sam's Creek Int Track: Hard - Bush Track
Distance = 1.8 km
Time = 1 Hrs 10 mins
Climb = 352 m
Descent = -207 m
From the intersection the track heads north-east along the boardwalk through the grasslands. At the end of the boardwalk the track turns to the slightly to the north and begins to run parallel Berowra Creek. Due to the fact that this section of the walk is right at the bottom of the hill to the east 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 the Sam's Creek. At Sam's Creek the track heads north crossing the creek using the large boulders and following the Great North Walk markers. At first glance the way the track heads is not totally clear from the southern bank however on the northern bank the bushtrack is highly visible. Immediately on the north bank the track goes up steeply and steadily in a zig-zag pattern until reaching an intersection with a servicetrail just below the ridgeline. The climb in this section is very steep however the council has put in place handrails in several sections as well as installed a chair halfway up. During the climb there are some good views over Berowra Creek and the bushland to the south.
(6.09 km) Sam's Creek Int to Naa Badu Lookout 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.
Naa Badu Lookout
Alt = 132
Naa Badu Lookout offers magnificent views over the southern aspect of Berowra Creek as far as Crosslands Reserve. Naa Badu means 'See water' in the Aboriginal Tribe the Dharug's language. It is named this as it is believed that Berowra Creek was the boundary between the Dharug and Guringai Aboriginal Peoples.
(6.37 km) Naa Badu Lookout to Berkey Cls Track Int Track: Moderate - Service Trail
Distance = 0.6 km
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 17 m
Descent = -28 m
From the lookout the track heads north-west along the servicetrail until coming to a small intersection with a bushtrack heading down and off to the north-west.
(6.95 km) Berkey Cls Track Int to Berowra Waters Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 2.2 km
Time = 55 mins
Climb = 129 m
Descent = -260 m
At this point the track heads north-west down the short and gradual set of stairs to Bang garai Creek. After crossing the creek the track continues to the north-west before beginning to climb steeply. This climb is assisted by stairs and occasional iron handholds. Accompanying this there is a chair on the top of this section. Once reaching the top of the ridge the track flattens out and continues along the bushtrack. This continues with views over Berowra Waters township until descending steeply down to waterlevel. At this point the track heads alongside the water on a narrow bushtrack through the grasslands until coming out onto Berowra Waters Rd, next to the ferry and the Marina.
Water View Cafe
Alt = 7
On the western side of Berowra Waters Ferry (free trip) and a short walk up the road is the Water View Cafe at the Marina. This offers a range of food in cafe or restaurant style dinning. Average price for lunch is $10-12 (cafe). Open from 9am everyday. Kayak Hire available Phone (02) 9456 2633 199 Bay Rd Berowra Waters, NSW 2082
(9.13 km) Berowra Waters to Ridge top campsite Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 2.2 km
Time = 1 Hrs 15 mins
Climb = 356 m
Descent = -149 m
From the ferry at Berowra Waters the track heads north along the road next to the marina. This heads past the toilets and the rural fire station before coming to a small carpark. At the northern end of this carpark the track joins onto a small bushtrack marked with several Great North Walk signs and continues north. This continues until the track turns abruptly away from the water and heads very steeply up the hill to the east. Once reaching the top of this hill there is a small rough and unofficial campsite that is used by walkers doing the Great North Walk. From the small bush campsite the track heads east descending steeply along a narrow bushtrack to a small creek which is a tributary of Berowra Creek. After crossing the creek the track begins to go steeply up the hill to the east. This continues until the track flattens out and turns slightly to the south for a short while before climbing a small hill which joins onto a servicetrail which the track follows for a short while before coming to a large campsite off to the right of the track.
(11.35 km) Ridge top campsite to Glendale Rd Track: Hard - Bush Track
Distance = 2.8 km
Time = 1 Hrs 15 mins
Climb = 221 m
Descent = -231 m
From the Ridge Top Campsite the track heads east along the bushtrack. After several hundred metres this intersects and crosses a servicetrail and continues following the Great North Walk markers further east for just under a kilometre. At this point the track begins to gradually descend. This continues until the final section of the descent the track steepens considerably before a tributary of Berowra Creek. On the other side of this section the track very steeply heads up the hill to the east and at various points there are metal handholds thats have been drilled into the rock forming into small ladders. In the final section of this ascent the track climbs up onto the rockshelf overlooking the surrounding area and Berowra Creek. From the lookout the track turns south-east and heads along a meandering bushtrack with only a slight ascent. This continues until coming to an intersection with the Glendale Rd servicetrail.
(14.13 km) Glendale Rd to Cowan Station Track: Hard - Bush Track
Distance = 1 km
Time = 30 mins
Climb = 66 m
Descent = -83 m
From the intersection at Glendale Rd the track heads north-east along the bushtrack following the Great North Walk markers. This track is relatively flat and at various points runs quite close to the railway and the Pacific Hwy however there is dense vegetation between the track and the developments so the nature feel is maintained and only slightly disturbed by the noise. This continues with the track crossing several small creeks including Bujwa Creek until merging with a servicetrail. At this point the track continues north-east for a short period before turning towards the Hwy to the right and heading up the hill for approximately 50m before coming to a large boom gate, with several large green Great North Walk signs and the Pacific Hwy. Just across the highway Cowan Station is located.
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
