Sheldon Forest Walk

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Time 50 mins
One way 1.8 km One way
Climb 33 m
Grade 3 Moderate track
Train Bus Car
This is a pleasant walk exploring the Sheldon Forest from the 1st Turramurra Scout Hall to Troon place in Pymble. The forest is one of the few remaining pieces of the Blue Gum high forest in the Sydney Basin, and is supported by community bushcare programs. This walk meanders through rainforest for the most part, following a stream that boasts a number of small waterfalls.
Scouthall and carpark start of sheldon forest track Jubilee Ave track intersection Jubilee ave track intersection Cleft in rock Closed (riparian) section of forest. Stream Bridge over tributary Mushroom Wooden steps Waterfall Bridge over small stream near Troon place

Scout hall

Scout hall
The 1st Turramurra Scout Hall has a car park and a tap at the front. It also offers some shelter under an awning and a fire place out the back. For more information on scouting, contact Scouts Australia NSW on (02)9735 9000. More info.

(0km) 1st Turramurra Scout Hall → Int. of Jubilee Ave and Sheldon Forest tracks

distance 90 m time 2 mins climb 0m descent -9m Easy track
From the car park in front of 1st Turramurra Scout Hall, near the top of Warragal Rd, this walk heads around the hall (keeping the hall to the left) and along the track, past the clearing and the 'Please leash your dog' sign[1] to an intersection at a 'Jubilee Ave' sign[2].

(0km) Int. of Jubilee Ave and Sheldon Forest tracks → End of Jubilee Ave

distance 120 m time 2 mins climb 0m descent -9m Easy track
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Jubilee Ave' sign[3] south-east down a gentle slope and over a small bridged creek, to the end of Jubilee Ave.

(0km) Int. of Jubilee Ave and Sheldon Forest tracks → Int. of Kimbarra Ave and Sheldon Forest tracks

distance 130 m time 3 mins climb 0m descent -18m Easy track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads along the Sheldon Forest track (the unsignposted track), downhill in a south-westerly direction. The track soon narrows and soon comes to a 'Y' intersection of tracks leading to Kimbarra Ave and Troon Place (signposted).

(0km) Int. of Kimbarra Ave and Sheldon Forest tracks → End of Kimbarra Ave

distance 90 m time 2 mins climb 3m descent 0m Easy track
Veer left: From the intersection, the walk heads south towards the houses visible on Kimbarra Ave. Soon, the track passes through the gap in the fence, at the end of Kimbarra Ave.

(0km) Int. of Kimbarra Ave and Sheldon Forest tracks → Int. near creek crossing

distance 230 m time 5 mins climb 0m descent -15m Easy track
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Troon Place' sign[4] west, down a gentle slope and around a right-hand bend. About 10m past a small rock platform, the track comes to the top of a set of stairs.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads down the steps and through a cleft in a rock, winding down across a creek and up the other side to the next intersection.

(0km) Int. near creek crossing → Waterhole

distance 340 m time 6 mins climb 1m descent -17m Moderate track
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk heads down the metal staircase and follows the creek through a closed or 'riparian' section of forest, with some small bridged tribultaries and steps along the way. The track soon opens up and comes to a small waterhole (where the main track turns left up the hill ahead).

(1km) Waterhole → Bridge near waterfall

distance 810 m time 18 mins climb 29m descent -42m Moderate track
Turn left: From the waterhole, the walk heads up the steep hill until it turns right as it flattens out. After a few hundred metres, the track gently heads downhill and follows the side of the ridge through a tall, open forest until reaching the signposted intersection of 'Sheldon Forest', 'Warragal Rd' and 'Troon Place' tracks, with a 'Rofe Park' sign[5].
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Troon Place' arrow[6] straight along the side of the ridge until the track opens out into a taller forest and comes to the bottom of some steps.
Turn left: From here, the walk heads up the steps then curves around to the right, following the top of a small gorge. The walk heads down a wooden staircase overlooking a waterfall, coming to a bridge.

(2km) Bridge near waterfall → Troon Place(before road bridge)

distance 180 m time 3 mins climb 3m descent -1m Easy track
Continue straight: From the bridge, this walk heads upstream, along the southern side. The track follows the riverbank past the back of some houses to a small clearing, crossing a wooden bridge and coming to Troon Place.

Maps for the Sheldon Forest 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.

Hornsby1:25 000 Map Series91304S HORNSBYNSW-91304S
Sydney1:100 000 Map Series9130 SYDNEY9130

Cross sectional view of the Sheldon Forest Walk bushwalking track

Terrain profile for Sheldon Forest Walk

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Sheldon Forest Walk

Altitude analysis for Sheldon Forest 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.

Length1.8 km
Time50 mins
.




Grade 3/6



Moderate track		AS 2156.1GradientShort steep hills (3/6)
Quality of trackClear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
SignsClearly signposted (1/6)
Experience RequiredNo experience required (1/6)
WeatherWeather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
InfrastructureLimited 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

Around 1.1km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps, whilst the remaining 690m has short steep hills.

Quality of track

This whole walk, 1.8km follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs

This whole walk, 1.8km is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 1.8km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 1.8km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

Around 890m of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 890m 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 Sheldon Forest Walk walk.

Sheldon Cascades walk

360 m Return, 15 mins

Sheldon Cascades walk

This short walk explores a set of cascades, finishing at the top of a small waterfall. From the road, the walk follows the creek to a bridge just near the waterfall. You will often see rosellas feeding in the clearing near the first bridge.

Total climbing: 4m

Grade 2
  • Car
  • Bus

Easy track

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Sheldon Forest Walk walk.

St Ives to Davidson Park via Casuarina Track

9 km One way, 4 hrs

St Ives to Davidson Park via Casuarina Track

This walk starts in St Ives and follows the Pipeline and Bungaroo tracks down to Middle Harbour Creek, crossing the creek at the stepping stones and continuing to Davidson Picnic area. Much of this walk follows Middle Harbour Creek, providing great water views and passing some interesting sandstone

Total climbing: 399m

Grade 4
  • Car
  • Bus

Hard track

The Pipeline Track

4.7 km Return, 2 hrs

The Pipeline Track

This walk explores the bush from St Ives, and follows the pipeline down the the banks of Middle Harbour. There are a few steep sections in the second half of the walk. This walk is an interesting way to get into the heart of Garigal National Park following the Founders track.

Total climbing: 206m

Grade 3
  • Car
  • Bus

Moderate track

The Pipeline Way

4.7 km One way, 2 hrs 15 mins

The Pipeline Way

This pleasant walk follows the pipeline, from Hunter Avenue in St Ives, to John Oxley Drive, Davidson. The walk follows the pipeline down into the valley and crosses Middle Harbour Creek (via a quick upstream detour to the Bungaroo Track crossing) before climbing out of the valley to John Oxley Driv

Total climbing: 213m

Grade 4
  • Car
  • Bus

Hard track

Canoon Rd to Whale Rock

3.2 km Return, 1 hr 30 mins

Canoon Rd to Whale Rock

This walk goes to Whale Rock, from the sporting complex at the end of Canoon Rd, Turramurra. The walk follows Devlin's Creek for the most part, winding through the valley. A great way to see the Lane Cove Valley, and explore the sandstone and fern filled scenery.

Total climbing: 121m

Grade 3
  • Car
  • Bus

Moderate track

STEP Track

2.7 km Circuit, 1 Hr

STEP Track

One of the most enjoyable walks in the Lane Cove valley, this relatively short trail ventures down into the valley and explores a variety of bushland. Spend a short while and go out to the scenic lookout and take your time around the waterfall. The track is pretty well signposted with a few inform

Total climbing: 95m

Grade 3
  • Car
  • Bus

Moderate track

Bungaroo Track

3.6 km Return, 1 hr 30 mins

Bungaroo Track

This walk explores a section of bush between Hunter Ave, St Ives, and Middle Harbour Creek. The walk follows a reasonably well defined bush track, passing several rocky outcrops with views across the valley. The walk is named after Bungaroo, a spot of Middle Harbour creek which was described by th

Total climbing: 237m

Grade 4
  • Car
  • Bus

Hard track

Founders Way

3 km Return, 1 hr 30 mins

Founders Way

This return walk starts at the Founders Way track head, in St Ives, and follows the pipeline through the National Park. The walk heads down into the valley where it comes to the Middle Harbour Creek pipe bridge. There is a short, optional side trip along the Bungaroo Track to the stepping stones cr

Total climbing: 137m

Grade 3
  • Car
  • Bus

Moderate track

Bungaroo and Founders Way Loop

3.5 km Circuit, 1 hr 30 mins

Bungaroo and Founders Way Loop

This circuit walk starts at Founders Way and follows the Bungaroo bush track through the national park to Middle Harbour Creek. There is an optional side trip to the creek crossing before returning, via the pipe bridge and the Pipeline Track. Along the Bungaroo Track there are plenty of opportuniti

Total climbing: 190m

Grade 4
  • Car
  • Bus

Hard track

Wahroonga to Mt Kuring-gai

14.7 km One way, 5 hrs 30 mins

Wahroonga to Mt Kuring-gai

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

Grade 4
  • Car
  • Bus
  • Train

Hard track

Blackbutt Creek Return

5.5 km Return, 2 hrs

Blackbutt Creek Return

This walk is a popular track being close to roads, yet surrounded by nice tall trees. The walk heads down hill with tall eucalyptus surrounding the track and providing shade for most of the walk. Convenient access to the start of the walk from Gordon Railway station is another feature of this walk.

Total climbing: 121m

Grade 3
  • Car
  • Bus
  • Train

Moderate track

Gordon to Chatswood Station

12.2 km One way, 4 hrs 30 mins

Gordon to Chatswood Station

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

Grade 4
  • Car
  • Bus
  • Train

Hard track

Gordon to Hornsby (overnight at Scout camp)

25.8 km One way, 2 Days

Gordon to Hornsby (overnight at Scout camp)

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

Grade 4
  • Car
  • Bus
  • Train

Hard track

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Sheldon Forest Walk walk starts at the 1st Turramurra Scout Hall (gps: -33.738754, 151.13177)

train Train. (get details) bus Bus. (get details) car Car. There is free parking available.<br /> (get details)

The Sheldon Forest Walk ends at the Troon Place(before road bridge) (gps: -33.747729, 151.12774)

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

Weather Forecast

This walk starts in the Metropolitan weather district.

Current Alerts

Park Information

Sheldon Forest

The Sheldon Forest growing on the shale ridge is characterised by the towering Blue Gums which can reach 30m. On the lower slopes the vegetation changes, to that of a Sydney Turpentine Ironbark forest. Sandstone was also quarried on the northern edge of the Sheldon Forest until the 1930's. This is a playground for locals walking their dogs.

Troon Creek

Troon Creek is a natural bushland reserve owned and managed by Ku-ring-gai Council. The reserve is south of Sheldon Forest.

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