Pennant Hills Park Loop (via Lane Cove River)

2 h 15 min to 3 h 30 min

7.6 km
circuit

↑ 187 m
↓ -187 m

Hard track
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. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
Show all
Mambara Track. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Sign interpreting the bush on the Mambara Track. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Mambara Trk. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Track nearing Mambara Trk. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Track below Mambara Track. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Track nearing Pennant Hills Park. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Once burnt bush. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Sign near Pennant Hills Park. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Steps up to Pennant Hills. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Leaf litter along the track. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Railed steps. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Watercrossing. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Track to Pennant Hills. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Service trail out of the valley. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Signpost to Pennant Hills. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Service trail through the valley. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Track near Whale Rock. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Whale Rock from the intersection. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Whale Rock above service trail. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Track above Devlins Ck. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Track below rock outcrop. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Devlin's Creek Crossing. | Photo by admin, 2007.
Track up spur to Pennant Hills Park. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Track up to Pennant Hills Park. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Track sign. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Road through Pennant Hills Park. | Photo by admin, 2007.
Sign at Pennant Hills Park. | Photo by admin, 2008.
Downloads GPX PDF

+
-
Safer Bushwalks
Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.
+
-
Getting There
Transport options and directions
Start (-33.7378911,151.0725567)
Mode Bus Car (There is free parking available.) Train
DirectionsFrom Westlink M7, M7, Glenwood.
  • Turn on to Pennant Hills Road Exit, M2 then drive for 960 m
  • Keep left onto Pennant Hills Road Exit and drive for another 3.7 km
  • Turn left onto Railway Street and drive for another 105 m
+
-
Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started
From the platform the track heads out onto Railway street, turns right and continues up towards Pennant Hills road. Before it reaches the main road, the track heads up a short set of steps and up the ramp to the overpass, where it crosses the main road and continues down the other side to the bottom. Turning right at the main road, the track follows the footpath along the main road east for a short distance to the intersection of the Crescent. From the intersection the track follows the Crescent down the hill and along to the end of the road turning left and then immediately right onto Charlotte road which joins onto Brittania street and to the intersection of the Pennant Hills Park entry at the round about.
: From the 'Pennant Hills Park’ entry sign (beside the Britannia St roundabout, near the car park), this walk leads gently downhill along the narrow concrete footpath, keeping the road to your right (and ignoring the short path on your right). After 10m this walk comes to a log seat (on your right), and ‘Wildlife Protection Area’, 'Mambara Track' and 'Mambara Access Track' signs (on your left). This walk continues for 40m along the path around the sharp left bend then continues for another 20m to come to a 3-way intersection, marked with an arrow post (on your left).
From the intersection, this walk follows the arrow post gently downhill along the concrete path, keeping the road (a short distance) to your right. After 5m this walk passes 'The Ultimate Jigsaw' sign (on your left) then continues gently uphill for about 140m over a series of rough concrete sections to come to a 3-way intersection with a dirt track (on the right).
From the intersection, this walk follows the concrete path gently up over a rise (keeping the road to your right). After about 15m this walk leads gently downhill and soon bends left. This walk continues along the path for about 70m past a 'Bush Recycling' sign (on the left) to come to a 4-way intersection (with two dirt tracks on the right).
From the intersection, this walk heads distinctly but gently downhill along the concrete path as the track bends left. This walk then gently meanders downhill for about 20m through the open forest, passing a potential trip hazard on the path. This walk then continues for about 35m along the path which soon bends right, then comes to a sharp left hand bend. Half way through the bend there is a 3-way intersection with a dirt track (on the right).
From the intersection, this walk leads downhill along the concrete path, immediately passing the turning rest bay (on the left) and a 'You scratch my back' sign (on the right). This walk then continues gently downhill through the open forest for another 35m to a distinct 3-way intersection with a short concrete path (on the right).....
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
After another 8 m continue straight.
Then cross the bridge (about 4 m long)
Veer right.
Then head down the steps (about 5 m long)
Turn right.
After another 85 m turn left.
After another 10 m turn right, to head along Railway Street.
After another 20 m (at the intersection of Pennant Hills Road & Railway Street) continue straight (a residential road).
After another 10 m (at the intersection of The Crescent & Pennant Hills Road) continue straight, to head along The Crescent.
After another 235 m (at the intersection of Britannia Street & The Crescent) veer left, to head along Britannia Street.
After another 75 m (at the intersection of Britannia Street & Charlotte Road) continue straight, to head along Britannia Street.
After another 145 m (at the intersection of Britannia Street & Cladden Close) continue straight, to head along Britannia Street.
After another 70 m (at the intersection of Britannia Street & Cecil Avenue) continue straight, to head along Britannia Street.
After another 60 m continue straight, to head along Britannia Street.
After another 80 m continue straight, to head along Britannia Street.
After another 20 m pass the toilet (15 m on your left).
After another 45 m pass the water tap (10 m on your left).
After another 20 m pass a seat (30 m on your left).
Continue straight, to head along Britannia Street.
After another 35 m turn left.
After another 10 m turn left.
After another 8 m continue straight.
After another 7 m find the "Seat" (15 m on your right).
Seat
Seat

A timber log seat, 43cm high, 30cm deep and 1.5m wide. Seat is located 2m from the concrete path, partially obscured by plants.
+
-
A timber log seat, 43cm high, 30cm deep and 1.5m wide. Seat is located 2m from the concrete path, partially obscured by plants.

After another 30 m turn right.
After another 40 m pass the sign (25 m on your right).
After another 5 m turn left, to head along Mambara Track.
After another 225 m veer left.
After another 185 m turn left, to head along Kurrajong Walking Track.
After another 460 m continue straight, to head along Kurrajong Walking Track.
After another 55 m veer right, to head along Kurrajong Walking Track.
After another 135 m turn right, to head along Kurrajong Walking Track.
After another 40 m pass the sign (about 20 m ahead).
Turn left.
After another 40 m continue straight, to head along Day Road Fire Trail.
After another 270 m cross the ford (about 30 m long)
Continue straight, to head along Devlins Creek Trail.
After another 10 m pass the sign (9 m on your left).
After another 190 m find the "Big Ducky Waterhole" (on your left).
Big Ducky Waterhole
Big Ducky Waterhole

The service trail loops around the top of the Big Ducky waterhole and there is a nice rock overhang in which to break. Is also a popular bird watching area. Unfortunately, recently there has been large quantities of rubbish in the area. (If going down to the waterhole please consider carrying out some of the rubbish if every walker carrys out a bit it will make a difference)
+
-
The service trail loops around the top of the Big Ducky waterhole and there is a nice rock overhang in which to break. Is also a popular bird watching area. Unfortunately, recently there has been large quantities of rubbish in the area. (If going down to the waterhole please consider carrying out some of the rubbish if every walker carrys out a bit it will make a difference)

After another 460 m (at the intersection of Devlins Creek Trail & Boundary Road Firetrail) continue straight, to head along Devlins Creek Trail.
After another 265 m cross the ford (about 40 m long)
After another 70 m cross the ford (about 30 m long)
After another 210 m continue straight, to head along Devlins Creek Trail.
Then cross the ford (about 25 m long)
After another 160 m (at the intersection of Pennant Hills Trail & Devlins Creek Trail) turn left, to head along Pennant Hills Trail.
Then head up the very steep (10% ~ 5.7°) concrete incline (about 75 m long)
Then pass the sign (5 m on your right).
After another 10 m pass the "Bradley Reserve" (30 m on your right).
After another 250 m head up the very steep (20% ~ 11.3°) concrete incline (about 170 m long)
After another 330 m continue straight, to head along Pennant Hills Trail.
After another 410 m continue straight, to head along Pennant Hills Trail.
After another 160 m continue straight, to head along Pennant Hills Trail.
After another 70 m turn right, to head along Pennant Hills Trail.
After another 215 m (at the intersection of Model Aircraft Trail & Pennant Hills Trail) veer left, to head along Model Aircraft Trail.
After another 270 m turn right.
After another 255 m continue straight.
After another 110 m pass the playground (25 m on your left).
After another 110 m continue straight.
After another 55 m pass the "Netball" (on your right).
After another 20 m continue straight.
After another 80 m continue straight.
After another 85 m pass the car park (10 m on your right).
Continue straight.
After another 15 m continue straight.
After another 65 m continue straight.
After another 70 m continue straight.
After another 8 m turn right.
After another 10 m turn right, to head along Britannia Street.
After another 120 m continue straight, to head along Britannia Street.
After another 360 m (at the intersection of Britannia Street & Charlotte Road) continue straight, to head along Britannia Street.
After another 75 m (at the intersection of The Crescent & Britannia Street) veer right, to head along The Crescent.
After another 235 m (at the intersection of Pennant Hills Road & The Crescent) continue straight.
After another 10 m (at the intersection of Railway Street & Pennant Hills Road) continue straight, to head along Railway Street (a vehicle track).
After another 20 m turn left.
After another 10 m turn right.
After another 85 m turn left.
Then head up the steps (about 5 m long)
The end.
+
-
Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Pennant Hills Park Loop (via Lane Cove River)


Grading
Class 4/6
Hard track
Length 7.6 km
Time 2 h 15 min to 3 h 30 min
Quality of track Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient Very steep (4/6)
Signage Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)

Some facilities on route
Toilet: There is one 830 m from the start.

Seat: There are 2 on route, on average they are 2.5 km apart with the largest gap of 6.6 km.


Order of key facilities on route
ItemFrom StartName & link to notes
Toilet
830 m[toilet]
Seat
890 m[seat]
Seat
950 mSeat
+
-
Articles
Discover more details to thrive on track
+
-
Reviews & Feedback
Share your experience
+
-
Weather & Alerts
Check forecasts & closures
Show Full Weather
Alerts and Closures
Show all alerts
Show all alerts
Show all alerts
+
-
Other Journeys
Discover nearby and similar journeys
Some of the information and maps on this page was generated using data from the awesome © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Please see how you can embed some widgets, access data and other stuff to that might be helpful.