Rail to River Walk

Download & Print Map and Notes

3 hrs

7.5 km Circuit

222 m

Hard track

This walk is a great one from Chatswood Station to the Lane Cove River National Park. The walk descends through the vegetated bushland which fills the valleys of the Lane Cove River. There are two places to buy a bite to eat, the Chatswood Golf Club and the Lane Cove River Steak and Seafood Restaurant.

(0km) Chatswood Station → Int. Victoria Ave and Pacific Highway

210 m

3 mins

0m Moderate track

From Chatswood Train Station, this walk exits the station onto Victoria Ave. The walk then continues up Victoria Ave, passing Chatswood RSL on the left. This walk continues to the Pacific Highway where it crosses over the at a pedestrian crossing or the foot bridge near by.

(0km) Int. Victoria Ave and Pacific Highway → Int. Edgar St and Edgar St Reserve Trk

410 m

10 mins

-37m Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads north up the Pacific Highway, to turn left onto Western Way. The walk continues down Western Way through a dogleg, turning right onto Jenkins Rd then quickly left back onto Western Way. The walk heads down Western Way to turn right onto Edgar St and to the Edgar Reserve Park with green gate.

(1km) Int. Edgar St and Edgar St Reserve Trk → Int. Park Ave and Edgar St Reserve Trk

340 m

6 mins

-12m Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection, the walk passes the gate, then the playground on the right, and continues through the clearing. The track continues for approximately 150m to an intersection marked by a memorial bench.
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk heads between the tennis court fence on your right and the houses on your left for approximately 150m. The track then comes to an intersection with Park Ave, and a 'Rail to River Walk' sign[1].

(1km) Int. Park Ave and Edgar St Reserve Trk → Int. Park Ave and Rail to River Trk

30 m

1 mins

-1m Easy track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Rail to River Walk' sign down the road for approximately 30m to the next signpost.

(1km) Int. Park Ave and Rail to River Trk → Harnett Pl sign post

500 m

13 mins

22m

-30m Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Rail to River Walk' signpost past the 'Ferndale Park' sign, down the management trail. The walk continues along the trail for approximately 60m to a large grassed clearing. The walk then continues away from the clearing along a bush track, which soon comes to some steppingstones across the creek. Approximately 50m later, the walk comes to a signposted intersection.
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the creek (which remains on your left) down the gully for approximately 100m to the signposted intersection.
Veer right: From the intersection, the walk heads along the creek (which remains on the left) for approximately 60m to turn up the steps to a signposted intersection.
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Rail to River Walk' sign up the hill. The track zigzags up through mossy rock outcrops to a house on the left. This walk continues up the stairs to the intersection with the road.

(1km) Harnett Pl sign post → Int. Hawthorne Ave and Bellevue Ave

1 km

20 mins

22m

-35m Easy track

Veer right: From the intersection, this walk crosses the road and heads right, up the hill. The walk continues up the hill to Lowanna Park gate on the left.
Turn left: From the gate on Greville St, this walk passes through the park diagonally, past the play equipment and BBQs, to the gate on the Fullers Rd side of Lowanna Park.
Turn left: From Lowanna Park, this walk heads along Fullers Rd towards the mechanics, initially keeping the park on the left. The walk continues along Fullers Rd, as Millwood Ave breaks off to the right. The first left is the signposted intersection with Bellevue Ave.
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Rail to River Walk' signs down Bellevue Ave for approximately 500m, tending right to the signposted intersection.

(3km) Int. Hawthorne Ave and Bellevue Ave → Int. Rail to River Trk and Hawthorne Ave

50 m

1 mins

-5m Easy track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Rail to River Walk' sign down the hill for approximately 30m to the telegraph pole with 'Rail to River Walk' sign.

(3km) Int. Rail to River Trk and Hawthorne Ave → Eastern side of O.H. Reid Memorial Oval

70 m

2 mins

-13m Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Rail to River Walk' sign down the hill between the fences. The walk comes to the end of the laneway and descends the stairs, down through rocky outcrops to the O.H. Reid Memorial Oval.

(3km) Eastern side of O.H. Reid Memorial Oval → O.H. Reid Memorial Oval car park

130 m

2 mins

-4m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk heads across the oval to the car park to the left of the toilet block.

(3km) O.H. Reid Memorial Oval car park → Int. Rail to River Trk and Reid Drive

380 m

7 mins

-9m Easy track

Continue straight: From the O.H. Reid Memorial Oval car park, this walk heads along the road with Chatswood Golf Course below on the left. The walk continues along the road for approximately 200m, passing a street on the left, to the intersection opposite house No. 17.

(3km) Int. Rail to River Trk and Reid Drive → Int. Behind the 8th Tee

60 m

2 mins

-9m Hard track

Turn left: From the intersection opposite No. 17 Reid Drive, the walk heads down the stairs tending left down the hill to the signposted intersection behind the 8th tee.

Chatswood Golf Course

The newly renovated deck at Chatswood Golf Course makes it a great place to take a breather on your walk. The club offers snacks and meals with a $12 all day breakfast on offer. Prices are reasonable, ranging from $5-20, with a good variety on offer. Chatswood Golf Course is open seven days for meals. More info.

(3km) Int. Behind the 8th Tee → Int. Fairway and Delhi Rd

200 m

3 mins

-1m Moderate track

Veer right: From the intersection, this walk heads away from the golf course, following the Lane Cove River (on the left of the track). The walk continues under the river bank's shady vegetation for a short time to the intersection of Delhi Rd and Lady Game Dr.

Riverside Cafe Bar & Grill

The Riverside Cafe[2] is found at the end of service road on the south-west corner of Fullers Bridge. The nicely renovated building looks over the Lane Cove River and is open 7 days, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. The food is cafe-style and meals are priced upwards from $13. Ph: (02) 9412 3773.

(3km) Int. Fairway and Delhi Rd → O.H. Reid Memorial Oval car park

640 m

12 mins

19m

-9m Hard track

Turn around: From the intersection, this walk heads down to the Lane Cove River, on the right. The walk continues under the river bank's shady vegetation for a short time to a large signposted intersection behind the 8th tee of the golf course.
Veer left: From the intersection, the walk heads up the hill tending right, to a set of stairs which it climbs up to Reid Drive, opposite No. 17.
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads up the road above Chatswood Golf Course (below on the right). The walk follows the O.H. Reid Memorial Oval sign along the road for approximately 200m to the oval, car park and picnic area with play equipment.

(4km) O.H. Reid Memorial Oval car park → Int. Fullers Rd and Bellevue Ave

740 m

15 mins

49m

0m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the car park, this walk heads past the metal gate and across the oval to the far side of the oval, where a track marker stands just off the oval.
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk heads up the stairs, winding around and through rocky outcrops to a fence line. The track follows the fence line up to the road, where a sign is bolted to the telegraph pole, indicating 'Rail to River Walk'.
Turn left : From the intersection, this walk heads up the road following the 'Rail to River Walk' sign to the corner of the road.
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Rail to River Walk' sign up Bellevue Ave for approximately 500m to the signposted intersection with Fullers Rd.

(5km) Int. Fullers Rd and Bellevue Ave → Int. Ferndale Trk and Beresford Lane Trk

1.3 km

26 mins

37m

-46m Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads up Fullers Rd, tending right where Fullers Rd meets Millwood Ave. The walk follows Fullers Rd for a short time to Lowanna Park on the right. Entry to the park is via a gate at the near-end of the park.
Turn right: From the Fullers Rd gate entry of Lowanna Park, this walk passes through the park diagonally, past the BBQs and play equipment, to the gate opening to Greville St. There is a 'Rail to River Walk' signpost outside the gate.
Turn right: From the gate, this walk heads down the hill, away from Fullers Rd. The track heads down the hill for approximately 200m to cross the road to the Harnett Pl sign, opposite No. 86.
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads down the stairs, coming to a house. From the house on the right, the track zigzags down the hill through mossy rock outcrops to the signposted intersection above a creek and pipe.
Turn left: From the intersection, the walk heads down the steps and along the creek (which remains on your right) for approximately 60m to a signposted intersection.
Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows the bush track across the creek. The track then turns left, up the hill, and reaches a sign posted intersection.
Turn left: From the intersection, the walk follows the Darymple Ave arrow along the bush track. The track soon turns left, at a junction, to head to a sign posted creek crossing. Very soon after crossing the creek, the track comes to a sign posted intersection.
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads up the hill to follow the creek (below on the right). The track meanders along the creek bank for a little while, coming to a large stand of bamboo on the left. The track then heads down to follow the creek more closely, soon crossing the creek and climbing up the bank to a signposted intersection in front of a house.

(6km) Int. Ferndale Trk and Beresford Lane Trk → Chatswood Station

1.4 km

27 mins

54m

-11m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads up the laneway behind the houses. The path follows the blue markers for a short time to come to Beresford Ave, opposite Wallace Park Reserve.
Turn sharp left: From the intersection, this walk heads up Lone Pine Ave to turn right onto Eddy Rd. The walk continues up to the end of the road, then turns left onto Pacific Highway. The walk passes the primary school and overpass, coming to the pedestrian crossing opposite Victoria Ave.
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk crosses at pedestrian crossing on Pacific Highway, or takes the foot bridge just near the intersection. This walk then continues down Victoria Ave to the entrance of the train station on the right. If the road turns left, you have gone too far.

Maps for the Rail to River Walk 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.

Parramatta River	1:25 000 Map Series	91303N PARRAMATTA RIVER	NSW-91303N
Sydney	1:100 000 Map Series	9130 SYDNEY	9130

Cross sectional view of the Rail to River Walk bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Rail to River Walk

Altitude analysis for Rail to River Walk

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	7.5 km
		Time	3 hrs
		.
Grade 4/6 Hard track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
		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)

Some more details of this walks Grading

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

Gradient

3.4km of this walk is flat with no steps and another 2.9km has gentle hills with occasional steps. Whilst another 1.1km has short steep hills and the remaining 110m is very steep.

Quality of track

5km of this walk follows a smooth and hardened path and another 2.1km follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles. The remaining (310m) follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs

Around 3.8km of this walk is clearly signposted, whilst the remaining 3.7km has directional signs at most intersection.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 7km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 7km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

Around 7km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 750m has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Rail to River Walk walk.

Ferndale Park Loop

3.3 km Circuit, 1 hr 30 mins

This is a short loop which escapes the city of Chatswood and drops down into the undeveloped valleys. The track is quiet and cool in the shade which the thick canopy provides. A great short walk or run during the lunch hour.

Total climbing: 88m

Moderate track

Fairylands Loop Track

5.3 km Circuit, 2 hrs 30 mins

This walk loops around a section of the Lane Cove River. Starting at Fullers Bridge, the walk follows the Great North walk through the historic site of Fairylands to Epping road before crossing the Lane Cove river and heading up the other bank of the river, passing through a variety of environments

Total climbing: 175m

Hard track

Chatswood Station to Mowbray Park

5.4 km One way, 2 hrs

This walk leads down through the valleys beneath the houses, high on the ridge tops, to reaching the banks of the Lane Cove River at the Chatswood Golf Course. The walk then follows the scenic river, using boardwalks at times. The walk sees another side of Chatswood, with many natural treasures hidd

Total climbing: 137m

Hard track

Roseville to Chatswood Station via Lane Cove River

6 km One way, 2 hrs 30 mins

This walk takes you down into the v-shaped valleys that run between the houses of Roseville and Chatswood. The walk stays predominantly in the valleys, with many sections on road or footpath. This walk has a surprising amount of bushland which is very close to civilisation. The walk also passes the

Total climbing: 185m

Hard track

Rail to River and Stringybark Creek Reserve Walk

11.2 km Circuit, 4 hrs

This walk begins in the busy city of Chatswood and soon enters the nearby bushland around the Lane Cove River. The walk uses the v-shaped valleys to escape from the houses. Due to pollution and rubbish in stormwater run-off there are some less then pleasant pockets, however, this walk does explore s

Total climbing: 302m

Hard track

Gordon to Chatswood Station

12.2 km One way, 4 hrs 30 mins

This walk is a great way to get into the bush without being far from civilisation. The walk wanders through untouched valleys and along the Lane Cove River, passing over many roads and footpaths to connect such unspoilt bush. The side trip to Baker's cottage is definitely worth the short stroll, wit

Total climbing: 381m

Hard track

Chatswood to Epping Station

16.3 km One way, 6 hrs

This walk, from Chatswood to Epping, is a long but enjoyable walk along the Lane Cove valley. The walk mostly follows the Lane Cove River to Terry's Creek, then follows Terry's creek, under some major roads, to Epping. A great walk exploring bushland so close to the suburbs.

Total climbing: 533m

Hard track

Chatswood Station to Eastwood Station

18.1 km One way, 6 hrs 45 mins

Following the Lane Cove River and Terry's Creek, this walk uses the valleys between the stations to explore some suburban bushland. From Chatswood Station, the walk soon leaves the suburban area and passes through the bush along the Lane Cove River. A great station-to-station walk with a few options

Total climbing: 554m

Hard track

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Rail to River Walk walk.

Roseville to Macquarie Park

8.9 km One way, 3 hrs 30 mins

This walk starts at Roseville station and explores the streets and alleyways of Roseville before joining the main spine of the Great North Walk at Fullers Bridge. Here you head deeper into the bush to explore the eastern bank on the Lane Cove River. There is a great diversity of mostly dry forest a

Total climbing: 290m

Hard track

Fairylands track

978 m Return, 30 mins

This short walks follows a section the Great North Walk along the Lane Cove River to an old picnic ground know as Fairylands Pleasure Grounds or "the Rest". The walk gives great views of the river and of some sandstone formations. Fairylands has mostly grown over now, but still has some bits of hi

Total climbing: 31m

Easy track

Fullers Bridge to Epping Rd

2.6 km One way, 1 Hr

For the most part, this walk follows a section of the Great North Walk through "Fairylands" and past a few waterfalls, then across Lane Cove River (via Epping rd) to Mowbray Park. Starting and ending on two busy roads, it is a pleasant surprise to visitors how nice the bushland can be. Allow some

Total climbing: 105m

Hard track

Fiddens Wharf walking track

4.3 km Circuit, 1 hr 27 mins

This walk explores some of the hills and river banks of the Lane Cove National Park. Leaving the weir precinct on Max Allen Drive, the walk follows the Great North Walk over the hill and down to Fiddens Wharf (just near the oval). The return journey, past Schwartz Homestead, provides a great chance

Total climbing: 159m

Moderate track

Baker's Cottage

1.5 km Return, 45 mins

The Baker's Cottage Heritage Track is a quick and interesting walk. The track itself is mainly drivable road, and turns to bush track before going up the hill to the cottage itself. At 140 years of age, Baker's Cottage is the oldest unmodified structure, still standing, in the Ku-ring-gai area. All

Total climbing: 56m

Moderate track

Lane Cove Weir to Boat Shed

1.3 km Return, 1 Hr

This is a great way to explore the picnic areas and banks of the Lane Cove River. There are picnic areas and plenty of seats to enjoy along the way. On the weekend you can hire a boat and go for a paddle before heading back to the start. You could spend a whole day enjoying the river, bus and parkla

Total climbing: 17m

Moderate track

Riverside Walk

5.3 km One way, 2 hrs

This walk is a lovely stroll along one side of the Lane Cove River. The walk passes through many picnic areas, providing plenty of options for rests and food breaks (some having BBQ's). This walk is also good for taking a Frisbee or a ball along for the kids.

Total climbing: 114m

Hard track

Garadi Track

1.5 km Circuit, 1 Hr

This walk, also know as the Black Cockatoo track, starts from Mowbray Park and explores the area where the Camaraigal Clan of the Guringai Tribe once lived. The walk leads across the top of a small escarpment and winds down and back along the Lane Cove river bank. The change in vegetation is quite

Total climbing: 66m

Moderate track

Little Digger Track

2.2 km One way, 1 Hr

This walk follows Moores Creek through several reserves in east Roseville and East Lindfield. The track is named after Australia's 7th Prime Minster, who once lived in the area. The walk explores the ferns and sandstone overhangs of the area, and there are several small waterfalls on Moore creek, w

Total climbing: 93m

Moderate track

North Ryde Fairyland circuit

6.9 km Circuit, 2 hrs 30 mins

Starting at North Ryde train station this walk explores a stretch of the Lane Cove River, visiting the historic Fairlylands Pleasure Grounds along the way. The walk starts by wandering through the Riverside Corporate Park and soon comes alongside the Lane Cove River to join the Great North Walk. Her

Total climbing: 191m

Hard track

Lane Cove Tourist Park River Circuit

11.9 km Circuit, 5 hrs

This walk follows a large section of Lane Cove River. The walk follows the Riverside Walking track up the Lane Cove River to De Burghs Bridge. From the bridge the track winds back along the hillside on the other side of the river. The track then passes a few historic buildings, and the Visitor Centr

Total climbing: 381m

Hard track

Lane Cove Tourist Park to Boat Shed

3.4 km Return, 1 hr 30 mins

This walk, from the Lane Cove Tourist Park to the Lane Cove River Boat Shed, meanders along the placid Lane Cove River, passing many picnic areas along the way. The Boat Shed itself is surrounded by a large picnic area with plenty of space for the kids to run around and play. You can even hire a bo

Total climbing: 98m

Moderate track