Bushwalking track notes, photographs, maps and more for Hunters Hill to Epping Road hiking trail are found in each of the tabs below
Hunters Hill to Epping Road
Time
Distance
Climb
Style
2 Hrs 30 mins
5.3 km
222 m
One way
2.6 km WSW of Lane Cove
Lane Cove National Park
Track: Moderate
One of the most enjoyable walks in the Lane Cove National Park this walk features extensive mangroves next to the Lane Cove River, particularly in the section between Boronia Av and Buffalo Creek Reserve. Sugarloaf Point is well worth going the 200m for as its a good spot to break with views of the river. Unfortunately, the views at the bridge crossing immediately north-east of Magdala Park are oftern spoiled by the smell coming from the industrial complex next to the river.
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) End of Boronia Ave to End of Princes St. Walk: Easy - Bush Track
Distance = 0.3 km
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 22 m
Descent = -28 m
From Boronia Park at the end of Boronia Ave, the track heads up the set of rough stairs at the end of the cul-de-sac and this heads around the edge of the Lane Cove River for approximately 300m before coming to an intersection with the end of Princes St (an asphalt road). The track then turns left and heads north-west for about 30m until coming to an intersection with a bushtrack. This is marked with a large green sign saying 'The Great North Walk'.
(0.32 km) End of Princes St. to Pains Rd Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 2 km
Time = 40 mins
Climb = 94 m
Descent = -99 m
From the intersection of Princes St and the Great North Walk next to the large sign saying 'Great North Walk' the track heads north-west along the bushtrack following the signs to 'Buffalo Creek Park'. The is a small rough and unoficial campsite after about 150m. This is at the point where the track intersects with Brickmakers Creek. From the campsite the track crosses the creek which is usually just a small trickle and heads up the gradual stairs on the opposite side. These are only a short set of stairs and before long the track flattens out and becomes a continuous bushtrack that heads around to the north following the Lane Cove River. Not long into this section the track drops off the rockshelf and heads down onto a well-maintained track through the mangroves. Of the mangrove country around Sydney this section is very pleasant considering the proximity to Hunters Hill. Approximately halfway upon this section the track passes a small intersection with a track that heads out into the mangroves for about 100m. This has some excellent views and a very ethereal feeling about it. From the intersection the trackcontinues north until meeting up with a small section of footbridge. This goes for approximately 50m and is immediately before the track intersects with Pains Rd, The track then continues along Pains Rd to the bend about 30m north.
(2.3 km) Pains Rd to Buffalo Creek Reserve Track: Moderate - Service Trail
Distance = 0.2 km
Time = 3 mins
Climb = 2 m
Descent = -2 m
From the bend in Pains Rd the track heads north along the servicetrail that diverges off Pain's Rd. Once at Buffalo Creek Reserve the track heads east, away from the toilets and towards the park benches. And after about 100m comes to a large sign saying 'Great North Walk'.
(2.5 km) Buffalo Creek Reserve to Sugarloaf West Intersection Walk: Easy - Bush Track
Distance = 0.1 km
Time = 3 mins
Climb = 10 m
Descent = -1 m
From the eastern end of Buffalo Creek Reserve this track begins at the Great North Walk sign and heads down the stairs to the boardwalk. The boardwalk then weaves its way through the mangroves until coming to a steep set of carved rock steps. At the top of the stairs the track turns north-east and follow the Great North Walk signs up to an intersection with a sign stating "Pittwater Road- left Sugarloaf Point- right"
(2.62 km) Sugarloaf West Intersection to Sugarloaf East Intersection Walk: Easy - Bush Track
Distance = 0.3 km
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 23 m
Descent = -25 m
From the intersection the flat bushtrack follows the sign towards Sugarloaf Point and continues around sugarloaf point until descending a small set of stairs to an intersection with an asphalt road (signposted "Pittwater Road- left Sugarloaf Point- right").
(2.95 km) Sugarloaf East Intersection to Sugarloaf Point Optional Side Trip: Walk: Easy - Service Trail
Distance = 0.3 km
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 2 m
Descent = -9 m
From the intersection singposted as "Pittwater Road- left Sugarloaf Point- right" the track heads east along the asphalt road for approximately 150m until this opens out into a large grassy clearing overlooking the Lane Cove River. To get to the official Sugarloaf Point the track heads south through the clearing until the end. At Sugarloaf Point there are several picnic tables and shady spots in which to enjoy the river area.
(2.95 km) Sugarloaf East Intersection to Power line tower Track: Moderate - Service Trail
Distance = 0.2 km
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 13 m
Descent = -9 m
At the intersection the track heads west and follows the asphalt road up to Pittwater Road where there is a large boom gate. The end of this track is marked by a large powerline tower just off to the side of the track.
(3.15 km) Power line tower to kitty's creek service trail Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 0.6 km
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 9 m
Descent = -15 m
From Pittwater Rd, next to the large Power Line Tower this track heads north, following the Great North Walk signs, along narrow gravel path running parallel to Pittwater Rd. At the end of this section the track moves away from Pittwater Road and becomes fully boardwalkes crossing the mangroves before coming up to an intersection with a servicetrail.
(3.76 km) kitty's creek service trail to Magdala Park Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 0.9 km
Time = 15 mins
Climb = 34 m
Descent = -31 m
At the intersection with the servicetrail the track goes slightly to the north-east becoming parallel to the Lane Cove River. At this point the track narrows and heads through the mangroves until rising slightly and coming out into open grasslands. This is the beginning of Magdala Park. The trail then continues north through the parkland next to the oval on the righthand side until reaching the carpark where there are toilets and tables.
(4.68 km) Magdala Park to Bridge on Epping Rd Walk: Easy - footpath
Distance = 0.6 km
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 15 m
Descent = -21 m
At Magdala Park (at the car park at the end of Magdala Rd) the track crosses the carpark to the right of the large electrical tower and merges with an asphalt path. The path descends slightly before crossing a footbridge over the Lane Cove River, emerging onto Epping Rd. Once on Epping Rd the trail turns left and follows the footpath down and back across the Lane Cove River to a set of stairs marked with a Great North Walk marker on the north-western side of the Lane Cove Bridge.
This small but picturesque city park is a haven of peaceful bushland along the winding Lane Cove River. Home to the Kukundi Wildlife Shelter and 27 km of the Great North Walk, you can also hire a boat, take a stroll or enjoy a picnic by the weir.
Hiking near Sydney 
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