Manly Dam Circuit Walk

2 h 30 min to 3 h

8.2 km
circuit

↑ 231 m
↓ -231 m

Moderate track
This is the main walk around Manly Dam, and is popular for both walkers and bike riders. Prepare for spectacular views from both sides of the dam, along well managed trails. Good spots to break include the picnic areas on King St. Features of this walk include walking the bridge across the top of the dam and the beach on the north side. Watch out for bike riders as this is a shared track. 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
Manly Dam from the Southern Side. | Photo by admin, 2007.
Passing King St. | Photo by admin, 2007.
End of King St. | Photo by admin, 2007.
The Manly Dam Circuit is well signposted along the way. | Photo by admin, 2007.
Patersonia sericea. | Photo by admin, 2007.
One of the many sections of servicetrail. | Photo by admin, 2007.
On the wetter sections there is often boardwalk. | Photo by admin, 2007.
Manly Dam from the north side. | Photo by admin, 2007.
Manly Dam Bridge. | Photo by admin, 2007.
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 (-33.782833,151.2554533)
Mode Bus Car (Parking fees apply in the area.)
DirectionsFrom Warringah Freeway, M1, North Sydney.
  • Turn on to Military Road Offramp, A8 then drive for 260 m
  • Continue onto Military Road, A8 and drive for another 9 km
  • Turn left onto King Street and drive for another 1.3 km
+
-
Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started
From the south end of Manly Dam, this walk heads south through the park and crosses King St near the car parking area. The walk follows the bush track up the steps, following the signs 'McComb Hill Track' and 'Nature Trail'. A short way up the hill, the track comes to an intersection signposted as the 'Mc Comb Hill Nature Trail'.....
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
After 120 m pass the BBQ (9 m on your right).
After another 85 m pass the shelter (8 m on your right).
After another 220 m turn left.
After another 15 m turn sharp right.
After another 120 m turn right, to head along Nature Trail.
After another 60 m turn right, to head along Nature Trail.
After another 200 m veer right, to head along Nature Trail.
After another 240 m turn right, to head along Nature Trail.
After another 275 m (at the intersection of Wildflower Walk & Nature Trail) turn left, to head along Wildflower Walk.
After another 330 m turn left.
After another 20 m pass the water tap (4 m on your right).
Then pass the toilet (on your right).
This toilet is wheelchair accessible.
After another 250 m continue straight, to head along Manly Dam Park Circuit Track.
After another 680 m continue straight, to head along Manly Dam Park Circuit Track.
After another 510 m turn left, to head along Manly Dam Park Circuit Track.
After another 40 m pass the waterfall (8 m on your right).
After another 205 m pass the waterfall (10 m on your right).
After another 390 m turn right.
After another 25 m cross the ford.
After another 770 m continue straight.
After another 270 m continue straight.
After another 610 m turn right, to head along Park Circuit Track.
After another 950 m veer left.
After another 105 m continue straight.
After another 330 m turn right.
After another 70 m (at the intersection of Circuit Track & Park Circuit Track) turn left, to head along Circuit Track (a walking track).
After another 440 m veer right, to head along Circuit Track.
After another 105 m veer right.
After another 140 m continue straight.
After another 9 m cross the bridge (about 9 m long)
After another 9 m head through/around the gate.

07:00-17:30
DST 07:00-20:30
After another 380 m head through/around the gate.

07:00-17:30
DST 07:00-20:30
After another 195 m cross the bridge (about 25 m long)
Then head down the steps
After another 35 m pass the sign (on your left).
Then pass the water tap (on your left).
Then pass the shelter (5 m on your right).
After another 8 m come to a car park.
The end.
+
-
Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Manly Dam Circuit Walk


Grading
Class 3/6
Moderate track
Length 8.2 km
Time 2 h 30 min to 3 h
Quality of track Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient Short steep hills (3/6)
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 Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)

Some facilities on route
Shelter: There are 2 on route, on average they are 2.7 km apart with the largest gap of 8 km.

Toilet: There is one 1.7 km from the start.


Order of key facilities on route
ItemFrom StartName & link to notes
Shelter
205 m[shelter]
Toilet
1.7 km[toilet]
Shelter
8.2 km[shelter]
+
-
Articles
Discover more details to thrive on track
Get more information
Wildwalks
+
-
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.