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Home arrow Hiking near Sydney arrow The Cascades Track (St Ives to Davidson)     

Bushwalking track notes, photographs, maps and more for The Cascades Track (St Ives to Davidson) are found in each of the tabs below
The Cascades Track (St Ives to Davidson)
Time: 1 hr 30 mins Walking time
Please allow extra time to rest and to explore
1.8 km NE of St Ives
Length: 3.2 km Walk Length
As this is a One Way walk, the 3.2 km only includes the walking distance from the start to the end point
Garigal National Park
Climb: 117 m Total Climbing
This walk has a total cumulative climb of 117 m, this is the total of the elevation gains made in each of the walks uphill sections
There is car access and parking near the start and end of this walk There is a bus stop within 2km of the start and end of this walk
Style: One way
Track: Moderate

This walk explores a section of Garigal National Park from St Ives following service trails through the forest and into the valley. The cascades, from which this track derives its name, are at the junction of Middle Harbour and Frenchs creeks. After taking time to explore the rock platform, this walk continues along service trail to Stone Pde, Davidson. (open in app)


Today's Fire rating
LOW MODERATE (No fire ban)
  Bushwalking track notes photographs, maps and camping spots for The Cascades Track (St Ives to Davidson)

Map of Walk

Location

                Sponsor of The Cascades Track (St Ives to Davidson) bushwalking tracknotes
Map of The Cascades Track (St Ives to Davidson)
Problem loading PDF Try here
Map Controls - Show Contours | Hide Path | Hide Distances | Hide Names
Map Scale 1 km
Int of Douglas Street and Cascades service trail
Int of Cascades service trail and Acron Oval tracks
Int of Cascades service trail and Douglas St bushtrack
Int of Cascades and Upper Cambourne service trails
Int of Cascades and Lower Cambourne service trails
Int of Cascades service trail and link track
Int of Bare Creek and Cascades service trails
The Cascades
Int of Cascades and Frenchs Creek service trails
Starting point for this hiking track: Int of Douglas Street and Cascades service trail

Base maps are used under licence and is © Department of lands   Panorama Avenue Bathurst 2795   www.lands.nsw.gov.au

Maps that cover the walk area (please always carry maps of the area)

Print a map and track notes here
 Hornsby 1:25 000 Map Series NSW-91304S 
 Sydney 1:100 000 Map Series 9130 

Photo Gallery

 
Cascades Trackhead
 
Cascades Trackhead +
 
Cascades Track near St Ives
 
Cascades Track near St Ives +
 
Cascades Track
 
Cascades Track +

 
Cascades Heading through the bush
 
Cascades Heading through the bush +
 
Int of Cascades and Upper Cambourne Track
 
Int of Cascades and Upper Cambourne Track +
 
Int of Cascades and Lower Cambourne Track
 
Int of Cascades and Lower Cambourne Track +

 
Cascades Track
 
Cascades Track +
 
Int of Bare Creek and Cascades service trails
 
Int of Bare Creek and Cascades service trails +
 
Crossing east of the Cascades
 
Crossing east of the Cascades +

 
The Cascades
 
The Cascades +
 
The Cascades track and Frenchs creek
 
The Cascades track and Frenchs creek +
 
Continuing through the bush
 
Continuing through the bush +

 
Climbing up the asphalted hills
 
Climbing up the asphalted hills +
 
Crossing Borgnis Creek
 
Crossing Borgnis Creek +
 
Cascades Trackhead at Stone Pde
 
Cascades Trackhead at Stone Pde +

Terrain

Cross sectional view of the The Cascades Track (St Ives to Davidson) bushwalking track

Cross Section of the The Cascades Track (St Ives to Davidson) bushwalking track



Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the The Cascades Track (St Ives to Davidson) bushwalking track

Summary of the gradients over the the lenght of the The Cascades Track (St Ives to Davidson) 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 3.2km
Time 1 hr 30 mins
.


Grade 3/6

Track: Moderate
AS 2156.1 Gradient Short steep hills (3/6)
Quality of track Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
Signs Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Experience Required No experience required (1/6)
Weather Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
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
Around 2.2km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps, whilst the remaining 1km has short steep hills.

Quality of track
This whole walk, 3.2km follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs
Around 2.7km of this walk is clearly signposted, whilst the remaining 570m has directional signs at most intersection.

Experience Required
This whole walk, 3.2km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

Weather
This whole walk, 3.2km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure
Around 2.2km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 1km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Track Notes


Catch the bus to Int of Douglas Street and Cascades service trail
Public transport (bus) available to this Bushwalk You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for up to date running times.
Use these links to plan your Bus (and train) trip to the end of this walk.
(Links currently not working sorry)
Plan your trip from --> Castle Hill|Chatswood|Dural|Epping|Gosford|Hornsby|Katoomba|Manly|Parramatta|Penrith|Strathfield|Sutherland|Sydney|
Drive to Int of Douglas Street and Cascades service trail
You can drive or ride to this start of this Bushwalk There is free parking available.
You can drive or ride to the start of this walk
Use these links to plan your trip to the start of this walk.
Plan your trip from --> Castle Hill|Chatswood|Dural|Epping|Gosford|Hornsby|Katoomba|Manly|Parramatta|Penrith|Strathfield|Sutherland|Sydney|

(0 km) Int of Douglas Street and Cascades service trail to Int of Cascades and Upper Cambourne service trails
Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 838 m Time = 17 mins
Climb = 11 m Descent = -72 m
From Douglas Street, this walk follows the management trail through the National Park gate marked with 'The Cascades Track' sign. The walk heads down the hill briefly until coming to a four-way intersection with a bush track (heading towards the large soccer oval to the right).
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the management trail down the hill and through the bush for a little while, coming to an intersection with a bush track on the left.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the management trail down the hill, with the ground sloping up to the left. Soon, it comes to a 'Y' intersection with another management trail at the 'Upper Cambourne Track' sign.

(0.84 km) Int of Cascades and Upper Cambourne service trails to Int of Cascades and Lower Cambourne service trails
Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 92 m Time = 2 mins
Climb = 1 m Descent = -15 m
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the service trail opposite the 'Upper Cambourne' sign, heading down the hill for a short distance to the signposted intersection of the Lower Cambourne track.

(0.93 km) Int of Cascades and Lower Cambourne service trails to Int of Bare Creek and Cascades service trails
Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 504 m Time = 11 mins
Climb = 5 m Descent = -52 m
Veer right: From the intersection, the walk follows 'The Cascades Track' sign along the asphalt service trail. After going down a long hill the walk takes the right hand fork at an intersection of 2 service trails. The walk then winds all the way to the bottom of the valley and continues to the intersection with the link track a short distance later.
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the service trail down the hill to the signposted intersection of the Bare creek and cascades service trails.

(1.43 km) Int of Bare Creek and Cascades service trails to The Cascades
Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 300 m Time = 5 mins
Climb = 1 m Descent = -14 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Cascades Track' arrow along the service trail, heading down the hill and across a creek, continuing up the other side as the track winds through the bush for a short while before crossing a creek and coming to the cascades.

The Cascades Alt = 27 m
The Cascades are a series of small cascades (little waterfalls) in Garigal National Park. The cascades centre around a large rock platform on Middle Harbour Creek and are found in the northern section of the park, at the intersection of the Middle Harbour and Cascade Tracks. The cascades make a great spot to sit and rest when exploring the area.

(1.73 km) The Cascades to Int of Cascades and Frenchs Creek service trails
Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 565 m Time = 11 mins
Climb = 22 m Descent = -10 m
Turn left: From the cascades, the walk follows the service trail upstream, keeping the creek to the left. After a short distance, the trail turns up to the right, and continues up through the bush to the signposted intersection with the French's Creek track.

(2.3 km) Int of Cascades and Frenchs Creek service trails to Stone Pde
Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 946 m Time = 22 mins
Climb = 77 m Descent = -10 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the service trail south (leaving the signposted French's Creek Track on the left). The walk climbs up the long hill, sometimes steeply, before passing through a metal gate and arriving at the intersection with Stone Parade (almost directly opposite number 27).

Catch the bus from Stone Pde
Public transport (bus) available from this Bushwalk You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for up to date running times.
Use these links to plan your Bus (and train) trip from the end of this walk.
(Links currently not working sorry)
Plan your trip to --> Castle Hill|Chatswood|Dural|Epping|Gosford|Hornsby|Katoomba|Manly|Parramatta|Penrith|Strathfield|Sutherland|Sydney|
Drive from Stone Pde
You can drive or ride from this end of this Bushwalk There is free parking available.
You can drive or ride from the end of this walk
Use these links to plan your trip from the end of this walk.
Plan your trip to --> Castle Hill|Chatswood|Dural|Epping|Gosford|Hornsby|Katoomba|Manly|Parramatta|Penrith|Strathfield|Sutherland|Sydney|

Getting there

Plan your trip to the start of the walk and back from the end of the walk

Public Transport links currently not working, sorry
Public Transport Timetables

To the start of the walk

From
Castle Hill
Chatswood
Dural
Epping
Gosford
Hornsby
Katoomba
Manly
Parramatta
Penrith
Strathfield
Sutherland
Sydney
From the end of the walk

To
Castle Hill
Chatswood
Dural
Epping
Gosford
Hornsby
Katoomba
Manly
Parramatta
Penrith
Strathfield
Sutherland
Sydney

Driving Directions
Map Car Shuffle
To the start of the walk

Drive from:
From the end of the walk

Drive to:


Near by



Nearest know Outdoor Stores near the start of this walk
Store Address Phone Distance (straight line)
Mountain Equipment 72 Archer St , Chatswood (02) 9419 6955 7.8 km
Larry Adler Ski & Outdoor 77 Archer St , Chatswood (02) 9412 4777 7.8 km
Mountain Designs Shop 16/ 9 Spring St , Chatswood (02) 9415 4566 7.9 km
Kangaroo Tent City & BBQs 165-167 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood (02) 9884 9199 7.6 km
Kathmandu 236 Pacific Hwy (Westfield), Hornsby (02) 9476 1399 7.6 km


A list of the nearest UHF CB repeaters I found to The Cascades Track (St Ives to Davidson).
Channel Call sign
(more info)
Site Distance and dir from The Cascades Track (St Ives to Davidson)
Click to re-center search
5 SYD05 Sydney Adventist Hospital 185 Fox Valley Rd WAHROONGA
Emergency use only
7 km (to the W)
6 VMB7 CB Repeater Site 16 Alan Rd BEROWRA HEIGHTS 13 km (to the NNW)
7 SYD07 7 Glamorgan St BLACKTOWN 26 km (to the WSW)
1 SYD01 12/14 Ormonde Parade HURSTVILLE 28 km (to the SSW)
8 MDC08 Gencom Site Lot 6 Wakefield Close KARIONG 34 km (to the NNE)

Weather and Park info

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 9 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.

Weather and Climate
Weather and Climate summary detailed weather and climate information here
°C (feels like °)
km/h from the
% humidity     (as at )
Wed      29°Showers. Likely storm developing.
Thu19°|25°Possible shower.
Fri18°|30°Partly cloudy.
Sat16°|24°Possible late shower.
A graph displaying the average daily temperature range for the year

Douglas Street Reserve Douglas Street Reserve is a natural bushland area owned and managed by Ku-ring-gai council. The reserve is bound by Garigal National Park, Douglas St and Acron Rd oval. The reserve is home to the western track head for the Cascade Track.
Region:
I am not aware of any closures in this park at the moment.


Garigal National Park Link to official closures and fire bans page
Largely following Middle Harbour Creek and stretching from Seaforth in the south to St Ives in the north Garigal National Park is hidden through Sydney's Northern suburbs. Despite how close it is to large urban centres Garigal is quite beautiful with lots of different walking and cycling tracks. For those just wishing to picnic Davidson Reserve is a great spot just next to Middle Harbour Creek, under the Roseville Bridge.
Region: Sydney & Surrounds
Park fees Camping Facilities I am not aware of any closures in this park at the moment.

Walker Feedback

Comments
Add NewSearch
Jen IP:220.245.79.xxx | 2010-07-10 07:38:33
A lovely walk for the family which has a lovely open area in the middle of the walk with wonderful cascades where you can stop for the kids to have a play (try 'boat racing' with leaves) or just a rest and enjoy the views. We saw the largest yabbies (freshwater crays?)in the creek.
Frank - rider IP:27.32.119.xxx | 2010-10-30 01:28:46
it is easy from St Ives to Davidson. It is exhausted from Davidson to St Ives.
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Loading the images not too much longer now :)


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