Map of Walk

Location

               
Map of 248 Track
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Base maps are used under licence and is © Department of lands   Panorama Avenue Bathurst 2795   www.lands.nsw.gov.au

Maps that cover the walk area (please always carry maps of the area)

Print a map and track notes here

Gunderman

1:25 000 Map Series

NSW-91313S

Mangrove

1:25 000 Map Series

NSW-91313N

Gosford

1:100 000 Map Series

9131

Photo Gallery

Terrain

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 248 Track bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the 248 Track bushwalking track

Overview of this walks Grading - Based on the AS 2156.1 - 2001
These details are new. This new feature still requires more testing and refining. Please use the 'Walker Feedback' for report specific issues. Please e-mail Matt if you have any general comments. Hope you find it helpful.

Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.

		Length	8km
		Time	3 hrs 15 mins
		.
Grade 3/6 Track: Moderate	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Gentle hills with occasional steps (2/6)
		Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
		Signs	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
		Experience Required	No experience required (1/6)
		Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
		Infrastructure	Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)

*This summary of grading information is new and still in testing

Some more detail of this walks Grading
Here is a bit more details explaining the grading looking at sections of the walk.
Gradient
Around 3.5km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps, whilst the remaining 600m is flat with no steps.

Quality of track
Around 3.5km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail, whilst the remaining 600m follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.

Signs
Around 2.1km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 2km is clearly signposted.

Experience Required
This whole walk, 4.1km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

Weather
This whole walk, 4.1km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure
Around 2.1km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 2km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Track Notes

Since this is a 'return' style walk once you have had enough of the walk, turn around and retrace your steps back to the start.

National Parks Association of NSW - Learn more about the NPA www.npansw.org.au
Walk with a club - Enjoy bushwalking and make new friends                                                (community announcement) The NPA is more than just a bushwalking club. We are a conservation group that helps protect natural places As a member you can join any of our 1000 guided walks each year and enjoy our quaterly Magazine 'Nature NSW'. Membership fee is just $65 per year, concession fee also available. Learn More...

Drive to Int of Ironbark Rd and Popran Pipeline Trail
There is free parking available. You can drive or ride to the start of this walk Use these links to plan your trip to the start of this walk. Plan your trip from --> Castle Hill|Chatswood|Dural|Epping|Gosford|Hornsby|Katoomba|Manly|Parramatta|Penrith|Strathfield|Sutherland|Sydney|

(0 km) Int of Ironbark Rd and Popran Pipeline Trail to Ironbark Rd picnic area Walk: Easy - road	Length = 1.7 km	Time = 35 mins
	Climb = 88 m	Descent = -19 m
Starting from the car park at the end of the 'Pipeline Trail', the walk follows the gravel Ironbark Rd south, initially keeping the 'Pipeline Trail' gate to your left (not following the 'Pipeline Trail'). The gravel road passes between some houses with prominent 'private property' signs so stick to the road along here. The walk eventually comes to the car park and picnic area at the end of the road. Vehicles with reasonable ground clearance could be driven along this section, to the car park at the end of the road.

Ironbark Rd Picnic area	Alt = 280 m
This picnic area is located at the end of Ironbark Rd, on the edge of Popran National Park. While this is not a special spot for a picnic, there are good facilities if you are doing a walk in the area. There is a picnic table, pit toilet (with a small rainwater tank for handwashing), information signs and track arrows at this point. Some of the tracks starting from this point are also horse trails. A section of Ironbark Rd may not be suitable for 2WD vehicles so you may have to walk the last section of road.

(1.7 km) Ironbark Rd picnic area to Int of Mt Olive trail and 248 Trail Walk: Easy - servicetrail	Length = 309 m	Time = 6 mins
	Climb = 10 m	Descent = -10 m
Continue straight: From the car park, the walk passes around a gate and follows the management trail down the hill and soon arrives at the intersection marked with 'Mt Olive' and the '248 Trail'.

(2.01 km) Int of Mt Olive trail and 248 Trail to Top of Mt Olive Optional sidetrip: Track: Hard - servicetrail,bushtrack,bushtrack	Length = 211 m	Time = 5 mins
	Climb = 22 m	Descent = -2 m
Turn left: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Mt Olive' arrow along the management trail for a very short distance before reaching an intersection with a bush track signposted for 'Mt Olive'. Turn left: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Mt Olive' signpost along the bush track. The walk meanders for a while before reaching an intersection with another bush track. Turn left: From the intersection, the walk follows the bush track steeply up the hill and soon arrives at the top of Mt Olive. (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then turn left to continue along this walk.)

Mt Olive	Alt = 300 m
Mt Olive is a low rising hill in Popran National Park. The views from the top, across the surrounding national park, in all directions, are very nice. The nice cliffs around the base of Mt Olive also add to the scenery. There are the remnants of a couple of old trig points at the top.

(2.01 km) Int of Mt Olive trail and 248 Trail to End of 248 Trail Track: Moderate - servicetrail	Length = 2.13 km	Time = 41 mins
	Climb = 45 m	Descent = -83 m
Veer right: From the intersection, the walk follows the '248 Trail' arrow along the management trail. The trail meanders for a while and descends gently before passing through the signposted 'Donovans Forest'. After climbing from 'Donovans Forest' and meandering a little further, the trail arrives at the signposted intersection of the 'Hominy Creek Trail' and the '248 Trail'. Veer right: From the intersection, the walk follows the '248 Trail' arrow along the overgrown management trail, going gently up the hill. The track ends at a large rocky outcrop which is interesting to explore and has some nice views.

End of 248 Trail lookout	Alt = 243 m
This informal lookout is located at the end of the 248 trail in Popran National Park. The lookout offers some nice views into the surrounding valleys. The rocky outcrops in the area have some nice shapes and textures. Be careful to avoid damaging some faint Aboriginal carvings on these rocks.

Drive from Int of Ironbark Rd and Popran Pipeline Trail
There is free parking available. You can drive or ride from the end of this walk Use these links to plan your trip from the end of this walk. Plan your trip to --> Castle Hill|Chatswood|Dural|Epping|Gosford|Hornsby|Katoomba|Manly|Parramatta|Penrith|Strathfield|Sutherland|Sydney|

Getting there

Plan your trip to the start of the walk and back from the end of the walk

Public Transport links currently not working, sorry

Driving Directions
	To the start of the walk                  Castle HillChatswoodDuralEppingGosfordHornsbyKatoombaManlyParramattaPenrithStrathfieldSutherlandSydney Drive from:		From the end of the walk                  Castle HillChatswoodDuralEppingGosfordHornsbyKatoombaManlyParramattaPenrithStrathfieldSutherlandSydney Drive to:

Near by

Nearest know Outdoor Stores near the start of this walk

Store	Address	Phone	Distance (straight line)
BCF Australia Pty Ltd	354 Manns Rd , Gosford West	(02) 4322 5833	13.7 km
Camping World	Shop 18, 482 Pacific Hwy, Wyoming	(02) 4324 6515	14.9 km
Mannings Sports	172 Mann St , Gosford	(02) 4325 1617	14.9 km
Boots Great Outdoors	201 The Entrance Rd , Erina	(02) 4367 0396	19 km
Kangaroo Tent City & BBQs	Homemakers Supa Centre Cnr Wyong Rd & Bryant Drv , Tuggerah	(02) 4353 4335	22.1 km

A list of the nearest UHF CB repeaters I found to 248 Track.

Channel	Call sign (more info)	Site	Distance and dir from 248 Track Click to re-center search
8	MDC08	Gencom Site Lot 6 Wakefield Close KARIONG	12 km (to the SE)
3	VMB2	Tower Street BATEAU BAY	25 km (to the E)
6	VMB7	CB Repeater Site 16 Alan Rd BEROWRA HEIGHTS	27 km (to the S)
5	SYD05	Sydney Adventist Hospital 185 Fox Valley Rd WAHROONGA Emergency use only	41 km (to the SSW)
7	SYD07	7 Glamorgan St BLACKTOWN	53 km (to the SSW)

Weather and Park info

Fire Danger
This walk passes Greater Sydney Region fire area which currently has a NONE rating and No Ban in place. (Downloaded 17 minutes ago)
Please Note: Each park may have its own fire ban status, this rating is based on information from the RFS and BOM.

Weather and Climate
Weather and Climate summary detailed weather and climate information here

Clear. 32.3°C (feels like 36.8°) 9 km/h from the ENE 64% humidity     (as at 26/03:00pm)

Popran National Park Link to official closures and fire bans page
Popran National Park is divided into 5 main section and sits north of the Hawkesbury River between Dharug NP and the Sydney-Newcastle freeway. The park protects many creeks, Aboriginal sites, some shore line of the Hawkesbury, interesting rock formationtions and a diverse range of flora and fauna. One of the five section is closed to the public and walking is more popular in the larger of the five. Walking during spring will reward you with many wildflowers, warmer days are great for enjoying the refreshing water holes.
Region: Sydney & Surrounds
Park fees Camping Facilities
Current Park Closure information for Popran National Park
Closure information last downloaded Saturday 25th of May 2013 06:00 PM
CLOSED AREAS
Popran Creek Closed within Popran National Park
Popran Creek within Popran National Park has been temporarily closed to public access until further notice. 
There is no access to Popran Creek or areas adjoining the creek for a vertical distance of 15 metres above the creek line. All inquiries regarding the closure - Area Manager Yango (02) 4320 4213.
Temporary closure of Hominy Creek Walking Track
Hominy Creek Walking Track is temporarily closed to visitors due to erosion and poor condition following extreme weather.  The track will remain closed until maintenance work can be completed.  

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