A really nice loop walk in a corner of Berowra Valley Regional Park. The walk starts and finishes at the end of Schofield Pde, Pennant Hills. The scenery includes nice forest while going down Stringybark ridge and beautiful scenes along Zig Zag creek, as well as an optional side trip to see the remnants of the historic Thornleigh Quarry and Zig Zag railway.
(open in app)
Cross sectional view of the Stringybark Ridge loop via Bellamy St bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Stringybark Ridge loop via Bellamy St 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
4.2km
Time
1 hr 45 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
1.6km of this walk has short steep hills and another 1.2km is very steep. Whilst another 980m is flat with no steps and the remaining 460m has gentle hills with occasional steps.
Quality of track
2.7km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail and another 1.2km follows a smooth and hardened path. The remaining (290m) follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.
Signs
2.6km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection and another 1.4km has minimal directional signs. The remaining (220m) is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
Around 2.6km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 1.6km requires some bushwalking experience.
Weather
Around 4.1km 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 4km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 220m is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).
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(0 km)
End of Schofield Parade
to
The Jungo Track: Hard - servicetrail
Length = 1.37 km
Time = 27 mins
Climb = 17 m
Descent = -81 m
From the end of Schofield Parade, the walk follows the 'Stringybark Ridge' management trail for a short distance to reach an intersection just before a locked gate. Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk passes around a gate and follows the 'Stringybark Ridge' management trail. At the car park, beside the old pony club grounds, the walk bends to the left, passing around another gate, and continues around the cleared grounds (keeping them to the right). At the intersection behind the grounds (marked with a 'Berowra Valley Regional Park' sign), the walk turns left, following the management trail down the hill. The walk descends, steeply in places, and immediately after a steep concrete section, arrives at the intersection (red Great North Walk track marker at the bush track to the left). Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows the management trail down the hill, soon arriving at 'The Jungo'.
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[1]. There is often water in the creeks (treat well before drinking) but there are no facilities[2]. 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.
(1.37 km)
The Jungo
to
Zig Zag Creek Bridge intersection Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 1.43 km
Time = 25 mins
Climb = 37 m
Descent = -16 m
Veer right: From the intersection at the Jungo, this walk follows the 'Bellamy Street' Great North Walk sign[3] through the campsite and along the pleasant track, leading into, then through, the ferny forest[4] for about 700m before crossing a side creek on a timber bridge[5]. The track then continues in a similar manner for another 700m, coming to a T-intersection with a concrete bike track, beside a large bridge (over Zigzag Creek, on your left) where a sign points back along the 'Great North Walk'[6].
(2.8 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
Turn sharp left: From the intersection, the walk heads gently downhill to then cross 'Zig Zag Creek'[7] on the 40m long bridge[8] (with handrails) to find the 'Zig Zag Siding' information sign[9][10] on the far side. The bridge path now merges back to the main wide trail[11] and heads steeply uphill[12] for about 50m[fac=8401] (with a handrail on the left side[13]). The trail then mostly flattens out for about 50m and leads gently up to the front of the old 'Thornleigh Quarry'[14], marked with a plaque on a large stone[15][16][17][fac=8402]. (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then continue straight to continue along this walk.)
Old Thornleigh Quarry
Alt = 129 m
The old Thornleigh Quarry[18] 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[19] that leads about 40m from the concrete trail to the centre of the old quarry[20]. 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
(2.8 km)
Zig Zag Creek Bridge int.
to
End of Bellamy St Walk: Easy - servicetrail
Length = 217 m
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 16 m
Descent = 0 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the concrete trail uphill[21], directly away from 'Zig Zag Creek'[22]. The walk continues up out of the valley[23] along the concrete trail for 110m to cross over the culverted creek[24] (with a green rail[25] on one side)[fac=8404]. Just 25m past this culvert the walk comes to an intersection (with a dirt track on the left) marked with a few signs including a 'The Jungo' arrow[26] point back down along the trail. Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Bellamy Street' arrow[27] uphill along the wide concrete management trail. The walk almost immediately leads past the 'Natures Filter'[28] (on the right) then over the next 50m this walk continues uphill past the 'Halls Camp' information sign[29] to come to a picnic table[fac=8400][30] (on the right). Here the walk continues up along the trail for another 25m to pass the 'Berowra Valley Regional Park' sign[31] then head around the locked metal gate[32][fac=8399] and come to the end of Bellamy St (Pennant Hills).
(3.02 km)
End of Bellamy St
to
Int of Redgum Ave and Thorn St Track: Moderate - road
Length = 769 m
Time = 14 mins
Climb = 34 m
Descent = -3 m
Continue straight: From the end of Bellamy St, the walk follows Bellamy St, then turns right into Thorn St and continues to the intersection with Redgum Ave.
(3.79 km)
Int of Redgum Ave and Thorn St
to
End of Redgum Ave west Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 138 m
Time = 3 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -23 m
Turn left: From the intersection of Thorn St and Redgum Ave, the walk follows Redgum Ave down the hill, continuing over the grassed area when the asphalt ends. From the clearing at the bottom of the hill, the walk continues on the narrow bush track, almost directly under the lower set of power lines running down Redgum Ave. After crossing the small creek, the walk arrives at the end of the next asphalted section of Redgum Ave.
(3.93 km)
End of Redgum Ave west
to
Int of Laurence St and Redgum Ave Track: Moderate - road
Length = 98 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 5 m
Descent = 0 m
Continue straight: From the end of this section of Redgum Ave, the walk follows Redgum Ave for a short distance, keeping the houses to the left until reaching the point where the road bends sharply to the left (intersection with Laurence St).
(4.02 km)
Int of Laurence St and Redgum Ave
to
Int of Stringybark Ridge trail and Redgum Ave access trail Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 156 m
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 14 m
Descent = 0 m
Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows the bush track from the back of a small parking bay at the bend in Redgum Ave (actually the intersection with Laurence St). The walk follows the bush track 'diagonally away (north-west) from' the intersection of Redgum Ave and Laurence St. and comes to an intersection with an asphalted management trail.
(4.18 km)
Int of Stringybark Ridge trail and Redgum Ave access trail
to
End of Schofield Parade Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 58 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -1 m
Turn sharp left: From the intesection, whilst looking away from the locked gate, the walk follows the asphalted management trail (south), soon arriving at the end of Schofield Pde.
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 8 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.
Really nice short bush walk for the kids. The section that runs next to the creek is quite beautiful, though little muddy after a few days of rain in some places. Found 1 leech so just keep an eye out but it should be ok if you don't go after a raining week! :)
admin - re: Nice walk for the kids
Super Administrator | 2011-06-20 05:22:33
Andrew wrote:
Really nice short bush walk for the kids. The section that runs next to the creek is quite beautiful, though little muddy after a few days of rain in some places. Found 1 leech so just keep an eye out but it should be ok if you don't go after a raining week! :)
Thanks Andrew. Those leeches are starting to come out again on warmer days. Glad you and the kids enjoyed the walk.
Matt :)