Bushwalking track notes, photographs, maps and more for Jerusalem Bay loop hiking trail are found in each of the tabs below
Jerusalem Bay loop
Time
Distance
Climb
Style
3 Hrs
5 km
350 m
Circuit
4.9 km NNE of Berowra
Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
Track: Hard
Jerusalem Bay is a picturesque spot and hard to believe it is so close to such a major city. This track takes people who can handle some moderately steep hills to a grassy point on Cowan waters. This track is one small part of the Great north walk linking Sydney and Newcastle. There are places to swim and picnic and the walking track is well defined. The return track follows the edge of the freeway and much care must be taken
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) Cowan Station to Bridge Walk: Easy - Service Trail
Distance = 0.3 km
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 2 m
Descent = -9 m
At the southern end of Cowan station you will find a pedestrian rail crossing area. After crossing the rail, you walk along the Sydney bound platform to a set of stairs about halfway along, walk down the stairs and walk north next to the rail way line, for a about a hundred meters. The track then turns east towards the freeway and you will see the old file trail bridge, this is just after the electrical switch box.
(0.3 km) Bridge to Point Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 1.9 km
Time = 45 mins
Climb = 47 m
Descent = -215 m
From the Bridge the track head east around and down the ridge to the gully. The track follows on the northern side of the creek. The track is eroded in places, and is fairly well shaded. At the bottom of the gully the track starts to open up a bit as it gets close to the mud flats. There is a nice picnic lunch spot at the point where you will find little remains of a ruin building. Some people swim to the other side of the river and jump off the rock. A rope if need to climb up, and always check the water is deep and clear of obstructions. (it is very tidal so conditions change)
(2.16 km) Point to Service Trail Track: Hard - Bush Track
Distance = 0.2 km
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 50 m
Descent = 0 m
To walk back to Cowan station there is a service trail that follows the ridge line from the point at Jerusalem bay. To find this trail, walk up the stone staircase to the clearing on the point, follow the bush track that heads straight up the ridge to the rocky outcrop above. the track takes you through a cleft in the rock, and not much further on is the service trail
(2.36 km) Service Trail to Gate Track: Moderate - Service Trail
Distance = 1.1 km
Time = 35 mins
Climb = 191 m
Descent = 0 m
Once on the service trail, follow it uphill till you find an old open gate and fence. At this point the service trail turns a sharp right, to avoid the freeway
(3.46 km) Gate to bridge Track: Hard - Bush Track
Distance = 1.2 km
Time = 30 mins
Climb = 51 m
Descent = -89 m
From this gate there is a unclear track to the left that follows the edge of the freeway. Since there is no clear track and pedestrians are not allowed on the freeway (because it would be very unsafe) you do need to make your own track through the bush. The track you choose is likely to go over the top of a few of the cuttings in the freeway - great care must be taken to keep you whole party far away from the edge so lot to dislodge anything (rocks, sticks or yourself) onto to road below. Following the freeways edge will bring you around to the eastern side of the bridge near Cowan station, the one that you crossed at the beginning of the walk.
(4.66 km) Bridge to Cowan Station Walk: Easy -
Distance = 0.3 km
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 9 m
Descent = -5 m
Cross the bridge, turn left and head back to Cowan station
A largely untouched wilderness on the northern boundary of Sydney, Ku-ring-gai Chase NP is one of Australia's oldest national parks. Here at the head of the Hawkesbury River, you'll find Aboriginal engravings and sites, as well as sandstone escarpments,
Hiking near Sydney 
1 km
