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.
(open in app)
There are Safety alerts in Berowra Valley National Park Today's Fire rating LOW MODERATE (No fire ban)
Cross sectional view of the Callicoma Loop bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Callicoma Loop bushwalking track
Overview of this walks Grading - Based on the AS 2156.1 - 2001
These details are new. This new feature still requires more testing and refining. Please use the 'Walker Feedback' for report specific issues. Please e-mail Matt if you have any general comments. Hope you find it helpful.
Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.
Length
5km
Time
2 hrs
.
Grade 4/6
Track: Hard
AS 2156.1
Gradient
Short steep hills (3/6)
Quality of track
Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
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)
*This summary of grading information is new and still in testing
Some more detail of this walks Grading
Here is a bit more details explaining the grading looking at sections of the walk. Gradient
2.6km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 2.3km has short steep hills. The remaining (260m) is flat with no steps.
Quality of track
2.7km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail and another 1.8km follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles. Whilst another 320m follows a smooth and hardened path and the remaining 270m follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely.
Signs
Around 4.8km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 320m is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
Around 2.7km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 2.4km requires no previous bushwalking experience.
Weather
Around 3.9km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 1.3km is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.
Infrastructure
Around 4.6km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 560m is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).
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Catch the bus to Top of The Lakes Of Cherrybrook park
The Cherrybrook Village shopping centre is located at 41/47 Shepherds Drive, Cherrybrook. There are a number of local cafes and eateries here, plus some franchises such as Subway and Gloria Jeans, making a great stop for walkers. There is also a Woolworths supermarket. The centre is open 9:00-5:30 Mon-Wed & Fri, 9:00-9:00 Thu, 9:00-5:00 Sat and 10:00-4:00 Sun. Some of the cafes and eateries open directly outside so they may be open longer hours. More info
(0 km)
Top of The Lakes Of Cherrybrook park
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Lakes trackhead Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - footpath
Length = 51 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -4 m
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
Alt = 140 m
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.
(0.05 km)
Lakes trackhead
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Int at stone wall Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - footpath
Length = 118 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 1 m
Descent = -4 m
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.
(0.17 km)
Int at stone wall
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Int. of Blackwattle Trail and Callicoma Walk Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 183 m
Time = 3 mins
Climb = 4 m
Descent = -7 m
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.
(0.35 km)
Int. of Blackwattle Trail and Callicoma Walk
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Top of the Disturbed Creek stairs Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 233 m
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -7 m
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).
(0.59 km)
Top of the Disturbed Creek stairs
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Int of Callicoma Walk and McKinley trail Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 170 m
Time = 3 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -8 m
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).
(0.76 km)
Int of Callicoma Walk and McKinley trail
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Int of Callicoma Walk and Disturbed Creek trail Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 96 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 5 m
Descent = -3 m
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.
(0.85 km)
Int of Callicoma Walk and Disturbed Creek trail
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Int of Callicoma Walk and Pogson Dr management trail Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 184 m
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 13 m
Descent = -6 m
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.
(1.04 km)
Int of Callicoma Walk and Pogson Dr management trail
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Jungo campsite Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 613 m
Time = 13 mins
Climb = 8 m
Descent = -38 m
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
Alt = 98 m
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.
(1.65 km)
The Jungo
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Int of Stringybark Ridge Management Trail and GNW Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 89 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 3 m
Descent = 0 m
Turn right: From 'The Jungo', the walk follows the 'Callicoma Walk' arrow along the management trail which climbs steeply and soon comes to the intersection (with the management trail going up the hill to the left and the red Great North Walk marker pointing straight ahead).
(1.74 km)
Int of Stringybark Ridge Management Trail and GNW
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Callicoma Caves Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 876 m
Time = 18 mins
Climb = 38 m
Descent = -8 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the red Great North Walk marker along the bush track. The track undulates while following Berowra Creek (keeping the creek to the right) before crossing it on a metal foot bridge. The walk continues along the other side of the creek before crossing Nyrippin creek using concrete stepping stones. Immediately after the crossing, the walk arrives at the signposted intersection (with the 'Callicoma Walk' going to the right). Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Callicoma Walk' arrow along the bush track keeping (not crossing) Nyrippin creek to the right. The track soon swings up the hill to the left, away from the creek. The walk soon climbs some stone cut steps to the intersection at the top of a rocky outcrop. Veer left: From the intersection, the walk follows the faint bush track, going steeply up the hill. The walk climbs up for a short distance, then arrives under a large overhang, marked with a number '6' sign.
Callicoma caves
Alt = 129 m
The Callicoma caves are a series of large sandstone overhangs on the Callicoma Walk near Cherrybrook. These beautiful sandstone overhangs are a highlight on the walks in the area. The sandstone has some beautiful texture and golden colouring.
(2.61 km)
Callicoma Caves
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Nyrippin Creek four ways Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 214 m
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 9 m
Descent = -14 m
Veer right: From the number '6' sign under the large overhang, the walk follows the bush track, around the rocks and base of the small cliffline (keeping them to the left). The walk passes under more large overhangs before dropping to an unmarked 4-way intersection.
(2.83 km)
Nyrippin Creek four ways
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Int Callicoma Walk and power line access trail Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 302 m
Time = 6 mins
Climb = 7 m
Descent = -5 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the bush track steeply down the steps towards the creek, where it bends to the left, onto an old management trail. The walk follows the management trail, keeping the creek on the right, before reaching a signposted intersection for the 'Callicoma Walk'.
(3.13 km)
Int Callicoma Walk and power line access trail
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Number 8 sign Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 29 m
Time =
Climb = 0 m
Descent = 0 m
Veer right: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Callicoma Walk' arrow down the steps, towards the creek on the right. The track goes a short distance before reaching an intersection marked with an '8' sign.
(3.16 km)
Number 8 sign
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Coachwood grotto Optional sidetrip: Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 23 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 2 m
Descent = 0 m
Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows the steps steeply down the hill, soon coming to the viewing spot. (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then turn right to continue along this walk.)
Coachwood grotto
Alt = 129 m
This beautiful, shady spot is beside Nyrippin creek, on the Callicoma Walk near Cherrybrook. The 'grotto' is an open area, shaded by Coachwood trees, with a curved section of low cliffs across the creek, giving an 'amphitheatre' feeling. This is a very atmospheric spot to sit and relax for a while.
(3.16 km)
Number 8 sign
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Int of sewer management trail and Callicoma Walk Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 328 m
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 4 m
Descent = -2 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the management trail, keeping the creek on the right, passing several sewer inspection points, before reaching an intersection marked with an arrow marker (with steps going steeply down to the right).
(3.49 km)
Int of sewer management trail and Callicoma Walk
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Francis Greenway Dr trackhead Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 388 m
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 38 m
Descent = -7 m
Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows the steps steeply down the hill before meandering along the creek, on the right, then crossing the creek on concrete stepping stones. The walk follows the bush track up the hill a short distance before turning right at a 'T' intersection with an old management trail (just behind a house). Soon after this, the walk comes to an intersection marked with 'Callicoma Walk' arrows. Turn left: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Callicoma Walk' arrow steeply up the steps and soon arrives at Francis Greenway Drive.
(3.87 km)
Francis Greenway Dr trackhead
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Kenburn Ave entrance to lakes park Track: Moderate - footpath
Length = 1.06 km
Time = 19 mins
Climb = 17 m
Descent = -35 m
Continue straight: From the 'Callicoma Walk' signposted track head at the end of Macquarie Dr (intersection with Francis Greenway Dr, Cherrybrook), the walk follows Macquarie Dr up the hill. The walk soon turns left into Gumnut Rd (look for the Callicoma Walk track marker on the corner) and continues to the intersection with Holly Rd (another track marker here). From here, the walk goes a short distance along Holly Rd and crosses to the 'Callicoma Walk Track marker near the small gate into 'Gumnut Playground'. Turn left: From the 'Callicoma Walk' track marker on Holly Rd, the walk goes through the gate and across 'Gumnut Playground' (there is a drinking bubbler near the fence). The walk goes out the gate on the opposite side and down a set of wooden steps to reach an arrow track marker beside Tallowwood Ave. Turn right: From the arrow track marker beside Gumnut Playground, the walk follows Tallowwood Ave gently down the hill, passing Sheoak Cl, then turning left into Ivy Pl (track marker at this intersection). Just before the end of Ivy Pl, the walk turns right and follows a concrete path between the houses (between 12 & 14 Ivy Pl). From the end of this path, the walk crosses Rossian Pl and continues along Glentrees Pl, then turns left into Kenburn Ave ('Callicoma Walk' track marker at this intersection). A short distance along Kenburn Ave, the walk arrives at the entrance to 'The Lakes Of Cherrybrook'.
(4.94 km)
Kenburn Ave entrance to lakes park
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Top of The Lakes Of Cherrybrook park Track: Moderate - footpath
Length = 211 m
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 6 m
Descent = -4 m
Turn right: From 'The Lakes of Cherrybook' signpost on Tallowwood Ave, the walk follows the bush track into the park. The walk soon turns right at a junction with a 'Callicoma Walk' track marker, going down the steps and crossing a small bridge. The walk continues on the track as it skirts around the lake, to the left, dropping down a few steps and arriving at an intersection with an asphalted footpath and another bush track (There is a track marker just before the intersection). Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the asphalted footpath across the bridge, towards the playground. After crossing the bridge, the footpath becomes concrete and bends to the right and soon reaches the large walking track signpost with 'Callicoma Walk' at the top. Turn left: From the 'Callicoma Walk' signpost intersection, the walk goes up the hill on the concrete footpath, keeping the playground on the left. At the top of the concrete footpath, the walk comes to Shepherds Drive, opposite the shopping centre and just below 50 Shepherds Drive.
Catch the bus from Top of The Lakes Of Cherrybrook park
Fire Danger This walk passes Greater Sydney Region fire area which currently has a LOW MODERATE rating and No fire ban in place. (Tomorrow the Fire Danger Rating is LOW MODERATE, No fire ban.) (Downloaded 7 years ago) Please Note: Each park may have its own fire ban, this rating is only valid for today and is based on information from the RFS Please check the RFS Website for more information.
Berowra Valley National ParkLink to official closures and fire bans page 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. Region: Sydney & Surrounds Park feesCamping Current Park Closure information for Berowra Valley National Park Closure information last downloaded Sunday 27th of September 2015 07:00 AM Safety alerts: Quarry trail and Benowie walking track restricted access Access restrictions are in place along trails that traverse the land managed by the Hornsby Rifle Range. Restricted areas include:
an 800m section of trail, 2km in from the Quarry Road entrance at Dural
an 800m section of trail, 300m in from the Stewart Avenue entrance at Hornsby
a 750m section of the Benowie walking track between Steele Bridge and Fishponds Waterholes.
Shooting times are between 9am and 4.30pm, 7 days a week. All visitors wishing to access the restricted sections of trail during these times must request prior authorisation by contacting the Hornsby Rifle Range on their 24 hour contact number 0417 201 606. Consult the map on Page vii of the Berowra Valley National Park Draft Plan of Management to plan alternative routes during these hours. Visit the website for further information about the Hornsby Rifle Range.
We like the playground and shopping centre at the start/finish. We took Emma who is 5y and did 1.6km then return. Got some nice wildflower photos, and Emma jumped in the puddles with gumboots on, and had a good time.
Cameron + Karlene
IP:124.168.162.xxx | 2011-02-26 08:21:04
I'm an amateur bush walker and I had a great time. We brought the 11 yr old family spoodle and she had a fantastic time completing the circuit with us in 2.5 hours.
Woolies being at the beginning/end of the circuit is very convenient
Mark
IP:60.242.196.xxx | 2011-05-16 22:22:22
Nice area with differnt types of bush to keep you interested.
I do this loop as a training run for orienteering and it takes about 40mins to run it.
Tesh - Callicoma loop
IP:74.125.56.xxx | 2013-02-13 02:18:29
Great walk.
However there were a lot of leeches so be prepared.
(Maybe because we went on a wet day)
Renee and Sam - Callicoma Loop
IP:111.220.223.xxx | 2013-03-31 00:33:27
Great walk!
The walk was well sign-posted and the notes certainly helped.
Unfortunately, due to the floods leaving lots of debris, many branches and logs had washed onto the track.
We hope to do this walk again as we missed the track going up to the caves!
It is best to park on the street and not in the shopping centre itself as the centre has limited three hour parking.
Hiking near Sydney 
Track: Hard
1 km
You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for up to date running times.
There is free parking available.
not too much longer now :)