Bushwalking track notes, photographs, maps and more for Stringybark Ridge and Zig Zag Creek loop from Thornleigh Station are found in each of the tabs below
Stringybark Ridge and Zig Zag Creek loop from Thornleigh Station
A really nice loop walk in a corner of Berowra Valley Regional Park with good access by public transport. The walk starts and finishes at Thornleigh train station. The scenery includes beautiful scenes along Zig Zag creek and nice forest while going up Stringybark ridge, plus as an optional side trip to see the remnants of the historic Thornleigh Quarry and Zig Zag railway. There are good spots to eat or grab a coffee near Thornleigh station before or after the walk.
(open in app)
Cross sectional view of the Stringybark Ridge and Zig Zag Creek loop from Thornleigh Station bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Stringybark Ridge and Zig Zag Creek loop from Thornleigh Station 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
7km
Time
2 hrs 30 mins
.
Grade 4/6
Track: Hard
AS 2156.1
Gradient
Very steep (4/6)
Quality of track
Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Signs
Minimal directional signs (4/6)
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
2.8km of this walk is flat with no steps and another 1.6km has short steep hills. Whilst another 1.2km is very steep and the remaining 910m has gentle hills with occasional steps.
Quality of track
4.7km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail and another 1.1km follows a smooth and hardened path. The remaining (750m) follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.
Signs
2.6km of this walk is clearly signposted and another 2.5km has directional signs at most intersection. The remaining (1.4km) has minimal directional signs.
Experience Required
Around 4.5km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 2.1km requires some bushwalking experience.
Weather
Around 6km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 140m is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.
Infrastructure
Around 4.4km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 2.2km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).
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(0 km)
Thornleigh Train Station
to
Morgan Rd Walk: Easy - road
Length = 989 m
Time = 18 mins
Climb = 7 m
Descent = -47 m
From the western (north bound) side of Thornleigh Station[1], this walk follows the 'Jungo Rest Area' sign[2] along the footpath towards the car park and The Esplanade[3]. The walk then heads down a short distance further to turn left and cross 'The Esplanade' at the traffic lights[4], then continue straight along the footpath down along Eddy Rd[5]. Following a couple of GNW arrows[6] down Eddy Rd as it then bends left[7], turning into Tilock St, and shortly later this walk then turns right into Morgan St[8]. Continuing down till just before the end of this street[9][10], this walk comes to an intersection marked with a GNW arrow[11] and the 'Elouera Bushland Natural Park' sign[12] (on the right).
(0.99 km)
Morgan Rd
to
Int of Bike Trail and Morgan Rd tracks Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 226 m
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 3 m
Descent = -7 m
Turn right: From the end of Morgan Street, the walk follows the GNW arrow[13] and the 'Elouera Bushland Natural Park' sign[14] between houses[15] no. 28 and 26. Once behind the houses at a small clearing[16], the track turns left and follows down the rocky side of Zig Zag Creek[17]. Soon after passing behind the third house, the track comes to an intersection with a wide concrete trail[18], where a sign points back along the track to 'Sydney Cove'[19].
(1.22 km)
Int of Bellamy trail and Morgan Rd tracks
to
Zig Zag Creek Bridge int. Walk: Easy - servicetrail
Length = 129 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -6 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'The Jungo' arrow[20] downhill along the wide concrete trail for 25m to cross over the culverted creek[21] (with a green rail[22] on one side)[fac=8404]. The walk continues down into the valley[23] along the concrete trail for another 110m to come to a signposted intersection marked with a 'Great North Walk' sign[24][25] (on your left), just before 'Zig Zag Creek'[26] and the long bridge[27].
(1.34 km)
Zig Zag Creek Bridge int
to
Thornleigh Quarry Optional sidetrip: Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 156 m
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 15 m
Descent = -8 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk heads gently downhill to then cross 'Zig Zag Creek'[28] on the 40m long bridge[29] (with handrails) to find the 'Zig Zag Siding' information sign[30][31] on the far side. The bridge path now merges back to the main wide trail[32] and heads steeply uphill[33] for about 50m[fac=8401] (with a handrail on the left side[34]). The trail then mostly flattens out for about 50m and leads gently up to the front of the old 'Thornleigh Quarry'[35], marked with a plaque on a large stone[36][37][38][fac=8402]. (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then turn sharp right to continue along this walk.)
Old Thornleigh Quarry
Alt = 129 m
The old Thornleigh Quarry[39] is located beside the Heritage Trail in Thornleigh, within Berowra Valley Regional Park. The quarry dates back to 1883 and was initially a source of 'ballast' for portions of the Sydney (Homebush) to Newcastle (Waratah) rail link. There is a firm, flat dirt track[40] that leads about 40m from the concrete trail to the centre of the old quarry[41]. You will find a series of log seats in this amphitheatre[fac=8402] making this a pleasant spot to sit and enjoy the intriguing mix of nature and history. A book is available with some detail on this quarry and the associated zigzag railway: 'Sydney's Forgotten Quarry Railways' by John Oakes, ISBN 0 9757870 3 9
Thornleigh zigzag railway
Alt = 120 m
The Thornleigh zigzag railway originally ran from the main rail line near Thornleigh to a historic quarry, near present day De Saxe Cl, Thornleigh. There are only minor fragments still visible today. The 'Heritage Trail' in Thornleigh has interpretive signs for the railway and the old Thornleigh Quarry. A book is available with some detail on railway and associated quarry: 'Sydney's Forgotten Quarry Railways' by John Oakes, ISBN 0 9757870 3 9
(1.34 km)
Zig Zag Creek Bridge intersection
to
The Jungo Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 1.43 km
Time = 25 mins
Climb = 16 m
Descent = -37 m
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Great North Walk' sign[42] along the narrower track, keeping the gully to your right. The pleasant track leads into, then through, the ferny forest[43] with tall trees for about 700m, before crossing a side creek on a timber bridge[44]. The track then continues in a similar manner for another 700m, coming to a large clearing and campsite[45], The Jungo. On the far side of this clearing is a well-signposted intersection with a 'Bellamy Street' sign[46] pointing back through the campsite.
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[47]. There is often water in the creeks (treat well before drinking) but there are no facilities[48]. 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.
(2.78 km)
The Jungo
to
Int of Stringybark Ridge trail and Redgum Ave access trail Track: Hard - servicetrail
Length = 1.31 km
Time = 26 mins
Climb = 81 m
Descent = -16 m
Veer left: 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). Turn left: From the intersection, the walk follows the management trail up the hill, climbing steeply at times, before turning right at the intersection at the old pony club grounds (marked with a 'Berowra Valley Regional Park' sign). The walk follows the management trail, keeping the cleared grounds to the left, then passes around a gate, and bends to the right in the car park and follows the 'Stringybark Ridge' management trail, arriving an intersection immediately after passing around a gate (with a private property access coming in from the left).
(4.09 km)
Int of Stringybark Ridge trail and Redgum Ave access trail
to
Int of Laurence St and Redgum Ave Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 156 m
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -14 m
Veer left: From the intesection, whilst looking away from the locked gate, the walk follows an initially faint bush track, off to the left (east) (avoiding the entry to the 'Private Property' also behind to the left) and comes to the intersection of Laurence St and Redgum Ave.
(4.24 km)
Int of Laurence St and Redgum Ave
to
End of Redgum Ave west Track: Moderate - road
Length = 98 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -5 m
Turn left: From the intersection, the walk follows Redgum Ave, keeping the houses to the right, for a short distance, until reaching the end of this section of Redgum Ave.
(4.34 km)
End of Redgum Ave west
to
Int of Redgum Ave and Thorn St Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 138 m
Time = 3 mins
Climb = 23 m
Descent = 0 m
Continue straight: From the end of the asphalt, the walk follows a narrow bush track down toward the creek. After crossing the small creek, the walk emerges into a grassy clearing and continues up the hill between the houses, arriving at the intesection of Redgum Ave and Thorn St.
(4.48 km)
Int of Redgum Ave and Thorn St
to
End of Bellamy St Track: Moderate - road
Length = 769 m
Time = 14 mins
Climb = 3 m
Descent = -34 m
Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows Thorn St, soon passing the intersection with Jackson Cr. At the 'T' intersection of Thorn St and Bellamy St, the walk turns left and continues to the end of Bellamy St .
(5.25 km)
End of Bellamy St
to
Int of Bellamy trail and Morgan Rd tracks Walk: Easy - servicetrail
Length = 88 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -10 m
Continue straight: From the end of Bellamy St (Pennant Hills), the walk passes around the locked metal gate[49][fac=8399] and follows the 'To Westleigh' arrow[50] downhill along the concrete management trail. After about 25m this walk leads past a picnic table[fac=8400][51] (on the left) then over the next 50m this walk continues downhill past the 'Halls Camp' information sign[52], the 'Natures Filter'[53] to come to an intersection with a dirt track (the Great North Walk) marked with an arrow pointing back up to 'Bellamy Street'[54].
(5.34 km)
Int of Bike Trail and Morgan Rd tracks
to
Morgan Rd Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 226 m
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 7 m
Descent = -3 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Sydney Cove' sign[55] along the narrow track away from the wide concrete trail. The track leads behind the house (on your right) following along the rocky side of Zig Zag Creek[56]. After the third house, in a small clearing, the track turns right[57], heading up between the houses[58] a short distance to come to the top of the turning circle[59] at the end of Morgan Road, Thornleigh.
(5.56 km)
Morgan Rd
to
Thornleigh Train Station Walk: Easy - road
Length = 989 m
Time = 18 mins
Climb = 47 m
Descent = -7 m
Turn left: From the end of Morgan Street, this walk heads up along the road[60] to left into 'Tillock Street'[61]. This street soon bends right[62] to become 'Eddy Street'[63] following the footpath[64] and GNW arrows[65] to the top of the hill where there is a set of traffic lights[66]. The walk cross 'The Esplanade' at the lights[67] to then turn right walking past the car park[68], and through a small park[69] to find a large 'Great North Walk' sign[70] at the (north bound) entrance to Thornleigh train station[71].
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.
Hiking near Sydney 
Track: Hard
1 km
Check out the facilities at 
You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for up to date running times.
There is free parking available.
not too much longer now :)