Bushwalking track notes, photographs, maps and more for Thornleigh to Marsfield (Vimeira Rd) hiking trail are found in each of the tabs below
Thornleigh to Marsfield (Vimeira Rd)
Time
Distance
Climb
Style
2 Hrs 6 mins
5.7 km
137 m
One way
0.5 km WNW of Thornleigh
Lane Cove National Park
Track: Moderate
Following the Great North Walk and the upper reaches of the Lane Cove River South this walk explores dense bushland surrounding the river. Expect to see a variety of trails along this walk from steep bushtracks to wide biketrails. The common feature however is how well managed these trails. The section just south of Thornleigh is the highlight of this walk as the bushtrail winds its way around the hill.
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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Catch the train to Thornleigh
Thornleigh Station is on the Northern Train Line accessible from either Hornsby or Strathfield. Trains run approximately every 15-30 minutes.
Check out the facilities at Thornleigh
You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for upto date running time info And use these links to plan your train trip to the start of the walk. Plan a trip from -->
Central |
Chatswood |
Epping |
Gosford |
Hornsby |
Katoomba |
Parramatta |
Penrith |
Strathfield |
Sutherland
(0 km) Thornleigh Train Station to Thornleigh Oval Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible -
Distance = 0.8 km
Time = 15 mins
Climb = 5 m
Descent = -20 m
Walk up the stairs from Thornleigh station and turn left (east), then follow the small path north to Railway Parade. Use the Pedestrian bridge to cross Pennant Hills Rd then walk to the end of Station street. Turn right into Orchard St then immediate left into Handley Ave. At the end of Handley Ave you will find Thornleigh Oval
(0.84 km) Thornleigh Oval to Int of Great North Walk and George Christie Oval Servicetrail Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 1 km
Time = 20 mins
Climb = 19 m
Descent = -105 m
From the clubhouse of Thornleigh Oval the track heads south across the oval towards the prominent sign saying 'Lane Cove National Park'. At this point there is a bushtrack that begins. This curves around to the west until coming to an intersection with a bushtrack that goes to the Baden Powell Scout Facility. From the intersection the track goes along the Great North Walk going slightly down and curving to the north-east before coming to an intersection with a track that goes directly down the hill while the current trail stays on the side of the hill. From the intersection the track goes down the hill and begins to zig-zag. Approximately halfway and the trail passes through a cleft in the rocks. On these rockshelves it is inscribed that the concrete steps were built during the depression. Continuing down the hill the track soon crosses the upper Lane Cove River on large stepping boulders. On the other side of the creek the track joins up with a grassy bushtrack that goes for approximately 60m before coming to an intersection with a large gravel servicetrail coming down the hill.
(1.88 km) Int of Great North Walk and George Christie Oval Servicetrail to End of Canoon Rd Servicetrail Track: Moderate - Service Trail
Distance = 1.7 km
Time = 40 mins
Climb = 41 m
Descent = -73 m
From the intersection the track heads south-east along the wide flat servicetrail. This follows the Lane Cove River and at several points the trail crosses this before continuing along the servicetrail. While these crossings are dry for large parts of the year just after rain they flood. It is still possible to cross them on the large stepping stones. The trail continues in this manner until coming to an intersection with a concrete servicetrail that crosses the Lane Cove River. This is next to a iron railing fence. From the causeway the track heads south along the firetrail for approximately 25m until coming to another intersection marked with a large informational signpost on the walks in the area.
(3.59 km) End of Canoon Rd Servicetrail to Int of Step Track GNW Track: Moderate - Service Trail
Distance = 0.7 km
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 8 m
Descent = -7 m
From the intersection the track heads south along the servicetrail. This goes gradually up until at the top of the hill the track follows the Lane Cove River around to the east. After the bend the track goes down the hill until coming to another bend and the track turns back to the south-east. After the second bend in this section the track begins to slowly climb once again until at the very end flattening out shortly before coming to an intersection with a bushtrack coming down the hill tot he north.
(4.27 km) Int of Step Track GNW to Int of GNW and Cove St servicetrail Track: Moderate - Service Trail
Distance = 0.1 km
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 5 m
Descent = 0 m
From the intersection marked by the sign saying 'STEP Track' the trail heads south-east for approximately 50m by first descending steeply and then gradually rising until coming to an intersection with a servicetrail heading steeply up to the north-east
(4.36 km) Int of GNW and Cove St servicetrail to Brown's Waterhole Track: Moderate - servicetrail, footpath
Distance = 0.6 km
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 19 m
Descent = -27 m
From the intersection the track heads south along the servicetrail, running parallel to the Lane Cove River. This continues with only small ups and downs until coming to an intersection with a servicetrail next to Browns Waterhole. From the intersection this track crosses the the causeway of Browns Waterhole. (caution is needed during and after rain – may become impassable) From here the track heads south up the hill continuing to follow the servicetrail until reaching a small picnic area next to the main Brown's Waterhole
(4.99 km) Brown's Waterhole to End of Vimeira Rd Track: Moderate - footpath
Distance = 0.7 km
Time = 15 mins
Climb = 40 m
Descent = -6 m
From Brown's Waterhole at the picnic tables the track heads south slightly up the servicetrail until reaching the large green sign and bushtrack off to the right of the track. From the intersection the track heads south going slightly up before turning to the east. This begins the zig-zag of the track to the top of the valley at the M2 Motorway. The only deviation is when approximately halfway the track passes an unofficial track that crosses the Lane Cove River along a pipe bridge. In the final section of this walk the track passes by a large Lane Cove National Park sign before going under the M2 Motorway through a tunnel and emerging at the end of Vimiera Rd, Epping
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 
1 km
