Cherrybrook to Thornleigh

Download & Print Map and Notes

1 hr 45 mins

4.4 km One way

128 m

Moderate track

This walk is mostly within the Berowra Valley Regional Park. It has some beautiful sections with great scenery, including sandstone rock features, lots of ferns and great scenery along Zig Zag creek. There is an optional side trip to visit the remnants of the historic Thornleigh Quarry and Zig Zag railway.

Viewing platform at the Lakes of Cherrybrook

Tall forest in the Berowra Valley Regional Park

(0km) Top of The Lakes Of Cherrybrook park → Lakes trackhead

50 m

1 mins

-4m Very easy

From below 50 Shepherds Drive, opposite the shopping centre, the walk follows the concrete footpath into 'The Lakes Of Cherrybrook' park, keeping the playground to the right. The footpath comes to the signpost for 'Callicoma Walk' just before the unfenced lakes.

The Lakes Of Cherrybrook

The Lakes Of Cherrybrook is a park at the intersection of Shepherds Dr and Macquarie Dr, Cherrybrook. The lakes featured in the park were formed when the local creek was dammed for the benefit of farmers. The park has a free electric BBQ, sheltered picnic tables, taps and bubblers as well as a playground for the kids. There is a large shopping centre nearby. There are several signposted buswalks in the area, including the 5.1km 'Callicoma Walk' loop track.

(0km) Lakes trackhead → Int at stone wall

120 m

2 mins

-4m Very easy

Veer left: From the 'Callicoma Walk' signpost, the walk follows the 'Sydney Cove' arrow along the concrete footpath, keeping the lakes on the right. The walk passes a free BBQ and picnic shelters on the left, and a couple of viewing platforms on the right before coming to an intersection just before the road and beside a low handmade stone wall.

(0km) Int at stone wall → Int. of Blackwattle Trail and Callicoma Walk

180 m

3 mins

-7m Moderate track

Turn right: From behind the low stone wall, the track follows the concrete footpath down the hill through the graffiti-covered tunnel, emerging in a clearing behind the 'Cherrybrook Girl Guides' building.
Veer right: From the clearing, the walk follows the bush track, initially keeping the Girl Guides hall on the left. The track passes a shortcut track on the right before coming to a 'T' intersection with a management trail marked with track arrows.

(0km) Int. of Blackwattle Trail and Callicoma Walk → Top of the Disturbed Creek stairs

230 m

4 mins

-7m Moderate track

Veer right: From the intersection, the walk follows the management trail down the hill, keeping the houses to the left, arriving at the signposted intersection at the top of the stairs (with a track on the right).

(1km) Top of the Disturbed Creek stairs → Int of Callicoma Walk and McKinley trail

170 m

3 mins

-8m Moderate track

Veer right: From the intersection, the walk goes down the steps towards the creek. Immediately after crossing the creek, on concrete stepping stones, the walk bends to the left, following the 'Callicoma Walk' arrow. The walk soon crosses some old concrete slabs and then drops down some more steps. After following the creek, on the left, for a short distance the walk comes to an intersection (with a management trail coming down the hill on the right).

(1km) Int of Callicoma Walk and McKinley trail → Int of Callicoma Walk and Disturbed Creek trail

100 m

2 mins

-3m Moderate track

Veer left: From the intersection, the walk follows the management trail down the hill, keeping the creek on the left and soon arrives at a fork intersection.

(1km) Int of Callicoma Walk and Disturbed Creek trail → Int of Callicoma Walk and Pogson Dr management trail

180 m

4 mins

13m

-6m Moderate track

Veer right: From the intersection, the walk follows the bush track, keeping the creek on the left and immediately passes a 'Callicoma Walk' signpost. The walk continues along the well formed bush track and climbs steeply to an intersection marked with a 'Callicoma Walk' and red GNW signpost.

(1km) Int of Callicoma Walk and Pogson Dr management trail → Jungo campsite

610 m

13 mins

-38m Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection, the walk follows the asphalted management trail up, over the hill, keeping the houses up to the right and soon arrives at an intersection marked with a 'Callicoma Walk' and red GNW track marker.
Turn left: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Callicoma Walk' arrow down the management trail (no asphalt), keeping the power lines to the left. The walk descends steeply for a while then flattens out and soon comes to an intersection with the Great North Walk.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Great North Walk' sign[1][2] along the wide trail as it bends left and leads downhill along the concrete section[3]. The trail leads down across a usually small creek[4], then heads up to the well-signposted intersection[5] beside the Jungo campsite[6][7], where a 'Fishponds' sign[8] points back down along the trail.

The Jungo

The Jungo is a relatively small clearing and campsite near the junction of Berowra and ZigZag Creeks at a well signposted intersection[9]. There is often water in the creeks (treat well before drinking) but there are no facilities[10]. Speculation on the source of the name 'Jungo' includes the Aussie tendency to abbreviate words ('Junction' gets corrupted to 'jung-o' etc) as well as a possible derivation from one of a few similar sounding aboriginal words.

(2km) The Jungo → Zig Zag Creek Bridge intersection

1.4 km

25 mins

37m

-16m Moderate track

Veer left: From the intersection at the Jungo, this walk follows the 'Bellamy Street' Great North Walk sign[11] through the campsite and along the pleasant track, leading into, then through, the ferny forest[12] for about 700m before crossing a side creek on a timber bridge[13]. The track then continues in a similar manner for another 700m, coming to a T-intersection with a concrete bike track, beside a large bridge (over Zigzag Creek, on your left) where a sign points back along the 'Great North Walk'[14].

(3km) Zig Zag Creek Bridge int → Thornleigh Quarry

160 m

4 mins

15m

-8m Moderate track

Turn sharp left: From the intersection, the walk heads gently downhill to then cross 'Zig Zag Creek'[15] on the 40m long bridge[16] (with handrails) to find the 'Zig Zag Siding' information sign[17][18] on the far side. The bridge path now merges back to the main wide trail[19] and heads steeply uphill[20] for about 50m

[Wheelchair Steep]

(with a handrail on the left side[21]). The trail then mostly flattens out for about 50m and leads gently up to the front of the old 'Thornleigh Quarry'[22], marked with a plaque on a large stone[23][24][25]

[Seat]

. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Continue straight.

Thornleigh zigzag railway

The Thornleigh zigzag railway originally ran from the main rail line near Thornleigh to a historic quarry, near present day De Saxe Cl, Thornleigh. There are only minor fragments still visible today. The 'Heritage Trail' in Thornleigh has interpretive signs for the railway and the old Thornleigh Quarry. A book is available with some detail on railway and associated quarry: 'Sydney's Forgotten Quarry Railways' by John Oakes, ISBN 0 9757870 3 9

Old Thornleigh Quarry

The old Thornleigh Quarry[26] is located beside the Heritage Trail in Thornleigh, within Berowra Valley Regional Park. The quarry dates back to 1883 and was initially a source of 'ballast' for portions of the Sydney (Homebush) to Newcastle (Waratah) rail link. There is a firm, flat dirt track[27] that leads about 40m from the concrete trail to the centre of the old quarry[28]. You will find a series of log seats in this amphitheatre

[Seat]

making this a pleasant spot to sit and enjoy the intriguing mix of nature and history. A book is available with some detail on this quarry and the associated zigzag railway: 'Sydney's Forgotten Quarry Railways' by John Oakes, ISBN 0 9757870 3 9

(3km) Zig Zag Creek Bridge int. → Int of Bellamy trail and Morgan Rd tracks

130 m

2 mins

0m Easy track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the concrete trail uphill[29], directly away from 'Zig Zag Creek'[30]. The walk continues up out of the valley[31] along the concrete trail for 110m to cross over the culverted creek[32] (with a green rail[33] on one side)

[Trip Hazard]

. Just 25m past this culvert the walk comes to an intersection (with a dirt track on the left) marked with a few signs including a 'The Jungo' arrow[34] point back down along the trail.

(3km) Int of Bike Trail and Morgan Rd tracks → Morgan Rd

230 m

4 mins

-3m Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Sydney Cove' sign[35] along the narrow track away from the wide concrete trail. The track leads behind the house (on your right) following along the rocky side of Zig Zag Creek[36]. After the third house, in a small clearing, the track turns right[37], heading up between the houses[38] a short distance to come to the top of the turning circle[39] at the end of Morgan Road, Thornleigh.

(3km) Morgan Rd → Thornleigh Train Station

990 m

18 mins

47m

-7m Easy track

Turn left: From the end of Morgan Street, this walk heads up along the road[40] to left into 'Tillock Street'[41]. This street soon bends right[42] to become 'Eddy Street'[43] following the footpath[44] and GNW arrows[45] to the top of the hill where there is a set of traffic lights[46]. The walk cross 'The Esplanade' at the lights[47] to then turn right walking past the car park[48], and through a small park[49] to find a large 'Great North Walk' sign[50] at the (north bound) entrance to Thornleigh train station[51].

Maps for the Cherrybrook to Thornleigh walk

You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.
These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.

Hornsby	1:25 000 Map Series	91304S HORNSBY	NSW-91304S
Sydney	1:100 000 Map Series	9130 SYDNEY	9130

Cross sectional view of the Cherrybrook to Thornleigh bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Cherrybrook to Thornleigh

Altitude analysis for Cherrybrook to Thornleigh

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001

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

		Length	4.4 km
		Time	1 hr 45 mins
		.
Grade 3/6 Moderate track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
		Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
		Signs	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
		Experience Required	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
		Weather	Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)
		Infrastructure	Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

2.2km of this walk has short steep hills and another 1.2km is flat with no steps. The remaining (1km) has gentle hills with occasional steps.

Quality of track

3.6km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail and another 410m follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles. The remaining (400m) follows a smooth and hardened path.

Signs

Around 2.8km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 1.6km is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

Around 3.4km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 1.1km requires some bushwalking experience.

weather

Around 4.2km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 270m is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.

Infrastructure

Around 3.1km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 1.4km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Cherrybrook to Thornleigh walk.

The Lakes of Cherrybrook loop

439 m Circuit, 15 mins

This short, pleasant loop walk is a nice one to do if you are having a picnic in the Lakes of Cherrybrook park, enjoying the atmosphere, free electric BBQs and playground. There is a good viewing platform extending onto the lake and there are usually ducks to be seen. The nearby shopping centre has

Total climbing: 10m

Moderate track

Bellamy St to De Saxe Cl dog walking trail

529 m One way, 15 mins

This short walk follows a concrete management trail between Bellamy St and De Saxe Close. This is one of a few dog friendly bushwalks in the Berowra Valley Regional Park. You walk through some beautiful bush with a good array of grass and eucalyptus trees. At the bottom of the valley a bridge spa

Total climbing: 36m

Moderate track

Blackwattle Close loop

613 m Circuit, 30 mins

This is a pleasant loop walk, close to Cherrybrook. The walk crosses Disturbed Creek (not officially named) a couple of times and includes some nice scenery along the creek with ferns, grasstrees and eucalypt forest.

Total climbing: 23m

Moderate track

Bellamy fire trail

619 m One way, 30 mins

This walk follows a wide concrete trail through Berowra Valley Regional Park, through lovely bushland and the site of the historic Zig Zag railway. The railway is long gone, but the quarry site is interesting to explore and crossing Zig Zag Creek on the bridge gives a lovely view down on the fern tr

Total climbing: 34m

Moderate track

Blackwattle Trail

2.2 km One way, 1 Hr

This walk follows the Blackwattle Trail around the fringe of Cherrybrook, starting at the Cherrybrook Rural Fire Brigade building, in Shepherds Drive, and finishing in Patricia Place. It is a nice walk and follows a management trail for its whole length. The walk passes through a mix of dry eucalypt

Total climbing: 98m

Moderate track

Cherrybrook to Refuge Rock

4.1 km One way, 1 hr 45 mins

A nice walk around the fringes of Cherrybrook plus the interesting and atmospheric Refuge Rock. The optional sidetrip to the natural rock arch adds some beautiful scenery to the walk. The walk passes through an interesting mixture of moist creek side scenery and drier forest before reaching Refuge R

Total climbing: 147m

Moderate track

Stringybark Ridge loop via Bellamy St

4.2 km Circuit, 1 hr 45 mins

A really nice loop walk in a corner of Berowra Valley Regional Park. The walk starts and finishes at the end of Schofield Pde, Pennant Hills. The scenery includes nice forest while going down Stringybark ridge and beautiful scenes along Zig Zag creek, as well as an optional side trip to see the remn

Total climbing: 123m

Hard track

Callicoma Loop

5.1 km Circuit, 2 hrs

This great circuit walk passes through some really nice forest around the fringe of Cherrybrook. Highlights of the walk include some beautiful rock overhangs at the 'Callicoma Caves', and the atmospheric 'Coachwood Grotto'. The walk starts and finishes at the pleasant Lakes of Cherrybrook park.

Total climbing: 153m

Hard track

Stringybark Ridge and Zig Zag Creek loop from Thornleigh Station

6.6 km Circuit, 2 hrs 30 mins

A really nice loop walk in a corner of Berowra Valley Regional Park with good access by public transport. The walk starts and finishes at Thornleigh train station. The scenery includes beautiful scenes along Zig Zag creek and nice forest while going up Stringybark ridge, plus as an optional side tri

Total climbing: 187m

Hard track

Wareemba Ave to Thornleigh Station

8.6 km One way, 3 hrs 45 mins

This pleasant half day walk starts from Wareemba Avenue in Thornleigh and winds down into the valley along service trails and bush tracks. The walk then follows a section of the Blue Gum Walk to the Great North Walk. From here the walk follows the Great North Walk to Thornleigh train station. Along

Total climbing: 472m

Hard track

Cherrybrook to Hornsby via Fishponds

9 km One way, 3 hrs 45 mins

A beautiful walk through the Berowra Valley Regional Park. The walk mostly follows the Great North Walk, between Cherrybrook and Hornsby. There are some fantastic lookouts along the way and some excellent scenery along Berowra creek, including the 'Fishponds'. The start and end of the walk are close

Total climbing: 536m

Hard track

Thornleigh to Hornsby

10.2 km One way, 4 hrs

Starting at Thornleigh station you walk through suburban streets for a short while before diving into the bush at the southern end of Berowra Valley Regional Park. Soon after visiting the site of the historic Zig Zag railway you start wandering through the Berowra Creek valley, passing a few cascadi

Total climbing: 525m

Hard track

Thornleigh to Galston Gorge

15.5 km One way, 6 hrs

This walk follows the Great North Walk above Berowra Creek from Thornleigh to Galston Gorge, on bush tracks and service trails. The Steele Bridge is quite an interesting landmark of the area. Fishponds is a wonderful highlight, it is a lovely water hole surrounded by tall sandstone cliffs. The walk

Total climbing: 768m

Hard track

Epping to Hornsby Station

17.5 km One way, 6 hrs 45 mins

This long day walk follows the Lane Cove River and Berowra Creek. The walk mostly follows the iconic Great North Walk, keeping mostly to bushland. With a train station at each end and a chance to fill the tummy at Thornleigh, this is an enjoyable day out.

Total climbing: 705m

Hard track

Eastwood to Hornsby

20.6 km One way, 8 hrs

Initially following Terry's Creek, and then the Lane Cove River, this walk goes through some of the prettier sections of the Lane Cove National Park before climbing up to Thornleigh and continuing into the Berowra Valley Regional Park. Following Berowra Creek and the side of the valley, the surround

Total climbing: 810m

Hard track

Gordon to Hornsby (overnight at Scout camp)

25.8 km One way, 2 Days

This overnight walk starts from Gordon train station and winds through bush filled valleys to Hornsby station. From Gordon station, the walk winds down past the Gordon golf course to the Great North Walk, then continues north through the Lane Cove Valley before staying overnight at the Baden Powell

Total climbing: 1024m

Hard track

Thornleigh to Mt Kuring-Gai

28.1 km One way, 2 Days

This overnight walk starts from Thornleigh train station and follows the Great North Walk down through the Berowra Valley Regional Park and along Berowra creek. The walk passes through Fishponds and up to the top of Galston Gorge to the campsite. From there, the walk continues along the Great North

Total climbing: 1614m

Hard track

Thornleigh to Cowan

35.9 km One way, 2 Days

Following the Great North Walk and Berowra Creek through Berowra Valley Regional Park, this walk cuts straight through the length of the Park. The views are good, providing a broad idea of what this park has to offer. Conserve your energy for the section between Berowra Waters and Cowan as there are

Total climbing: 2336m

Hard track

Circular Quay to Hornsby

44.4 km One way, 3 Days

This fun walk covers a large section of the Great North Walk, starting from the official start in Circular Quay. After a short ferry trip the walk follows the Lane Cove River through the Lane Cove National Park, to Thornleigh. Here, the walk enters Berowra Valley National Park, continuing along the

Total climbing: 1690m

Hard track

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Cherrybrook to Thornleigh walk.

Callicoma caves

2.5 km Return, 1 hr 30 mins

This walk provides a beautiful mixture of scenery, including rainforest-like sections along the creek, as well as drier forest with grass trees and beautiful sandstone overhangs. The walk starts on Francis Greenway Dr and follows part of the Callicoma Walk. There are two main points of interest on t

Total climbing: 86m

Hard track

Daphne Place dog walking trail

515 m One way, 15 mins

This is a pleasant dog-friendly walk, passing through some nice bush on the fringe of Cherrybrook. Despite being within the Berowra Valley Regional Park, this is an 'Authorised On-Lead Dog Walking Track'. The walk starts at the end of Daphne Pl, Cherrybrook and can be done as a one-way walk, finishi

Total climbing: 35m

Moderate track

Elouera Lookout

828 m Return, 30 mins

A short walk to a beautiful lookout with views over the Berowra Creek valley, near Westleigh. This is a short and interesting walk to one on those really beautiful pockets of bush in the middle of the suburbs. The lookout is in the Berowra Valley Regional Park and also on the Great North Walk.

Total climbing: 44m

Moderate track

Refuge Rock and Natural Arch

1.4 km Return, 30 mins

A very nice walk through a small part of the Berowra Valley Regional Park. The extensive rock platforms of Refuge Rock make a beautiful place to relax and explore. The optional side trip to see the natural rock arch is well worth it, adding some really beautiful scenery to the walk. Another great bu

Total climbing: 38m

Moderate track

Thornleigh to Marsfield

6.1 km One way, 2 hrs 30 mins

Following the Great North Walk, and the upper reaches of the Lane Cove River South, this walk explores dense bushland surrounding the river. You will experience a variety of trails along this walk, from steep bush tracks to wide biketrails. The common feature, however, is how well managed these trai

Total climbing: 106m

Hard track

Pennant Hills Park loop (via Lane Cove River)

8.2 km Circuit, 3 hrs

Setting out from Pennant Hills train station, this walk loops around Pennant Hills Park, exploring the surrounding bush and visiting Whale rock on the way. The walk turns back towards the park after passing the Lane Cove River. The walk mostly follows management trails.

Total climbing: 233m

Hard track

Mambara Track

717 m Circuit, 20 mins

The Mambara Track is a short walk, accessible to everyone, and a great walk for gaining some knowledge about the local bush. The walk follows a concrete footpath and has many signs with information about the surrounding bush. A great loop walk for the whole family and great introduction to the walki

Total climbing: 23m

Very easy

Wahroonga to Mt Kuring-gai

14.7 km One way, 5 hrs 30 mins

Starting with a walk through the streets of Wahroonga, this walk then heads bush, following the Gibberagong Track to Bobbin Head. After a picnic or a bite to eat from the kiosk, the walk then heads up the Birrawanna track to lead to Apple Tree Bay. From here the track follows the picturesque Cowan

Total climbing: 607m

Hard track

Blue Gum Walk (Joe's Mountain Circuit)

4.2 km Circuit, 2 hrs

This is an enjoyable circuit walk that allows you to explore this rare pocket of Sydney Blue Gum forest. You will follow a signposted track across a few creeks and alongside Waitara Creek, with a few cascades. There are many small sandstone caves and a great diversity in plant life along the way. S

Total climbing: 231m

Hard track

Hornsby Blue Gum Walk

6.7 km Circuit, 3 hrs

This delightful loop is one of the prettiest and most popular walks in the Hornsby area. Going from an environment of ferns and clear bushland to dry sandstone bush near Berowra Creek, this walk has a good complement of environments. The side trip out to Joe's Mountain doesn't have the most fantasti

Total climbing: 374m

Hard track

Hornsby station to Crosslands

16.1 km One way, 6 hrs 45 mins

This section of the Great North Walk starts from Hornsby train station and winds down along the Blue Gum Walk into Fishponds. Enjoy the wonderful water hole at fishponds before continuing along Berowra Creek, passing through the Tunks Ridge Reserve and into Galston Gorge. From the Gorge the track

Total climbing: 938m

Hard track

Hornsby to Brooklyn three day walk

43.1 km One way, 3 Days

This three day walk follows the Great North Walk from Hornsby Station to Brooklyn, staying overnight at the Crosslands Reserve and the Great North Walk ridge top campsite. Some of the highlights along this walk are the sandstone cliffs at Fishponds, the great restaurants at Berowra Waters, and the b

Total climbing: 2695m

Hard track

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Cherrybrook to Thornleigh walk starts at the Top of The Lakes Of Cherrybrook park (gps: -33.721735, 151.04418)

Bus. (get details)

Car. There is free parking available.<br /> (get details)

The Cherrybrook to Thornleigh ends at the Thornleigh Train Station (gps: -33.731949, 151.07815)

Train. (get details)

Bus. (get details)

Car. There is free parking available.<br /> (get details)

Weather Forecast

This walk starts in the Metropolitan weather district.

Current Alerts

Park Information

Berowra Valley National Park

Following the Berowra Creek the Berowra Valley National Park is located on the Hornsby Plateau and is made up of typical Hawkesbury Sandstone. The great North walk, Benowie walking track, and many other great walks stretch spann this park. The area has varied vegetation including many different sorts of Eucalyptus and plenty of native animals, includingl swamp wallibies, water dragons, bandicoots, Lyre Birds, and bush turkeys. There are several campsites within the Park, and Crosslands Reserve is also a popular spot near the middle of the park.

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