Warrimoo Track to the Sphinx walking track

Warrimoo Track to the Sphinx

Bushwalking track notes, photographs, maps and more for Warrimoo Track to the Sphinx are found in each of the tabs below

Warrimoo Track to the Sphinx

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Time:	1 hr 30 mins Walking time Please allow extra time to rest and to explore	1.2 km NNE of St Ives Chase
Length:	3.4 km Walk Length As this is a One Way walk, the 3.4 km only includes the walking distance from the start to the end point	Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
Climb:	189 m Total Climbing This walk has a total cumulative climb of 189 m, this is the total of the elevation gains made in each of the walks uphill sections
Style:	One way

This walk offers a great way to explore most of the Warrimoo Track and also visit the Sphinx War Memorial. The walk winds down to Cowan Creek, providing some great views as the creek becomes wider. The journey continues up the steep hill through various bush environments before arriving at the Sphinx War Memorial and picnic area. (open in app)

Today's Fire rating
LOW MODERATE (No fire ban)

Bushwalking track notes photographs, maps and camping spots for Warrimoo Track to the Sphinx

Map of Walk

Location

Sponsor of Warrimoo Track to the Sphinx bushwalking tracknotes

Map of Warrimoo Track to the Sphinx
Problem loading PDF Try here
Map Controls - Show Contours | Hide Path | Hide Distances | Hide Names
Map Scale

1 km

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

Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park Tourist Map

1:40 000 Map Series

CMA Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park Tourist Map

Sydney

1:100 000 Map Series

9130

Photo Gallery




	Coming to the carpark off Warrimoo Road +




	Bush next to Warrimoo Trk +




	Warrimoo Trk +




	The Warrimoo Track +




	Warrimoo Trk +




	Goana on tree next to Warrimoo Track +




	Warrimoo Track +




	Sinja Huddles Memorial Chair +




	Warrimoo Track +




	View from Warrimoo Track +




	Crossing Cowan creek +




	Continuing along the bushtrack +




	Warrimoo Track +




	Bottom of Sphinx Walking track (Warrimoo Track) +




	Climbing up the Sphinx Track +




	The Sphinx Track +




	The track up to the Sphinx +




	The Sphinx Track +




	Sphinx track +




	Sign to Sphinx +




	Sphinx Track +




	Sphinx War Memorial +




	The Sphinx War Memorial +




	Sphinx area +




	Picnic Table at Sphinx +




	Sphinx war memorial +




	Sphinx war memorial and flag pole +




	Park area near Sphinx +




	Sphinx car park +




	The Sphinx Memorial driveway +




	The Sphinx Memorial gate +




	Water bubbler at the Sphinx gates +




	Bobbin Head entrance gate +

Terrain

Cross sectional view of the Warrimoo Track to the Sphinx bushwalking track

Cross Section of the Warrimoo Track to the Sphinx bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Warrimoo Track to the Sphinx bushwalking track

Summary of the gradients over the the lenght of the Warrimoo Track to the Sphinx 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	3.4km
		Time	1 hr 30 mins
		.
Grade 3/6 Track: Moderate	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
		Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
		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
1.7km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 1.6km has short steep hills. The remaining (95m) is flat with no steps.

Quality of track
2.4km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and another 530m follows a clear and well formed track or trail. The remaining (430m) follows a smooth and hardened path.

Signs
Around 2.3km of this walk is clearly signposted, whilst the remaining 1.1km has directional signs at most intersection.

Experience Required
Around 2.4km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 960m requires no previous bushwalking experience.

Weather
Around 2.3km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 1.1km is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.

Infrastructure
Around 1.8km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 1.6km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).

Track Notes

Wildwalks
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Catch the bus to End of Warrimoo Ave
Catch the bus to End of Warrimoo Ave
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 End of Warrimoo Ave
Drive to End of Warrimoo Ave
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) End of Warrimoo Ave to Sonja Huddles Chair Track: Moderate - servicetrail	Length = 1.37 km	Time = 28 mins
	Climb = 7 m	Descent = -115 m
From the car park, this walk follows the management trail through the bush for a while before winding down a gentle hill and coming to the signposted intersection with the Darri track. Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the Bobbin Head arrow along the service trail (heading north west). The trail meanders through the bush for a while before winding steadily down a long hill to the end of the ridge. Here, the trail comes to a Memorial Chair at a lookout over Cowan Creek.

(1.37 km) Sonja Huddles Chair to Int of Sphinx walking Track and management trail Track: Moderate - bushtrack	Length = 1.57 km	Time = 37 mins
	Climb = 152 m	Descent = -74 m
Continue straight: From the Memorial Chair, the walk heads down the rock steps and follows the bush track. The track winds steeply down the rocky hill and crosses Cowan Creek at the stepping stones. The track then continues along the edge of the creek (keeping the creek to the right) until coming to the signposted intersection with the Sphinx Track. Turn left : From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Sphinx Track - Nth. Turramurra' sign^[1] uphill along the clear rocky track. The track zig-zags quite steeply up a series of timber and stone steps^[2] for almost 250m to then pass under the high tension power lines^[3]. Here the track gently undulates along the side of the hill crossing a few pleasant rock platforms^[4] for 130m to cross a small often dry creek on a sandstone rock platform^[5]. Now the track leads gently uphill along the side of the valley among the grass trees^[6] for almost 200m to cross a usually larger but still fairly small creek on a sandstone rock platform^[7]. The walk then heads up a series of and carved stone and timber steps^[8] for about 50m where the track mostly flattens out^[9] for about 30m to come to a shallow sandstone overhang^[10] (on your left). Just shy of 150m past this cave, the track leads between two tall eucalyptus^[11] then follows the rocky track^[12] and series of timber steps^[13] uphill for another 300m to a T-intersection with a wide trail, marked with a 'Sphinx Walking Track' sign^[14] pointing back down the track.

(2.94 km) Int of Sphinx walking Track and Service trail to Int of Sphinx Memorial Track and Sphinx service trail Walk: Easy - servicetrail	Length = 9 m	Time =
	Climb = 1 m	Descent = 0 m
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk heads gently uphill along the wide trail, for just over 10m to an intersection with an asphalted path (on your left), marked with a 'Sphinx Fire Trail'^[15] sign pointing back down the trail.

(2.95 km) Int of Sphinx Memorial Track and Sphinx fire trail to Sphinx Memorial Walk: Easy - footpath	Length = 57 m	Time = 1 mins
	Climb = 6 m	Descent = 0 m
Turn left: From the intersection this walk follows the asphalt footpath, gently uphill directly away from the face of the 'Sphinx Fire Trail'^[16] sign. The footpath leads for about 50m to head behind the picnic tables^[17] and come to the sandstone 'Sphinx Memorial'^[18].

Sphinx Memorial	Alt = 138 m
Sphinx Memorial
Private Shirley spent one and a half years carving this monument whilst a patient of the Lady Davidson Convalescent Hospital. William Shirley was in hospital, being treated after serving in WW1. Shirley died in 1929, leaving this memorial to fallen A.I.F. comrades. "To my glorious comrades of the A.I.F by the late W. Shirley No 5756 Pte. 13th Battalion Died 27th August 1928" More info

(3.01 km) Sphinx Memorial to Int of Memorial Rd and Sphinx Track Walk: Easy - footpath	Length = 88 m	Time = 2 mins
	Climb = 9 m	Descent = 0 m
Veer right: From the picnic ground, this walk heads south-west, uphill along the footpath, until emerging onto the Sphinx Memorial Drive. At this point, there is a gate and a sign giving information on the local walks.

(3.1 km) Int of Memorial Rd and Sphinx Track to Int of Bobbin Head and the Sphinx Roads Walk: Easy - road	Length = 283 m	Time = 5 mins
	Climb = 14 m	Descent = 0 m
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the road, heading up the long gentle hill. The road flattens out and passes through some metal gates, coming to the intersection with Bobbin Head Road. The NPWS toll booth is just to the left.

Catch the bus from Int of Bobbin Head and the Sphinx Roads

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 Int of Bobbin Head and the Sphinx Roads
Drive from Int of Bobbin Head and the Sphinx Roads
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

Campsites in the park
The Basin campground

Nearest know Outdoor Stores near the start of this walk

Store	Address	Phone	Distance (straight line)
Kathmandu	236 Pacific Hwy (Westfield), Hornsby	(02) 9476 1399	6.1 km
CampHikeClimb	20 George St, Hornsby	(02) 9476 5767	6.2 km
Mountain Equipment	72 Archer St , Chatswood	(02) 9419 6955	10.8 km
Larry Adler Ski & Outdoor	77 Archer St , Chatswood	(02) 9412 4777	10.8 km
Mountain Designs	Shop 16/ 9 Spring St , Chatswood	(02) 9415 4566	10.9 km

A list of the nearest UHF CB repeaters I found to Warrimoo Track to the Sphinx.

Channel	Call sign (more info)	Site	Distance and dir from Warrimoo Track to the Sphinx Click to re-center search
5	SYD05	Sydney Adventist Hospital 185 Fox Valley Rd WAHROONGA Emergency use only	7 km (to the WSW)
6	VMB7	CB Repeater Site 16 Alan Rd BEROWRA HEIGHTS	10 km (to the NNW)
7	SYD07	7 Glamorgan St BLACKTOWN	25 km (to the WSW)
1	SYD01	12/14 Ormonde Parade HURSTVILLE	31 km (to the S)
8	MDC08	Gencom Site Lot 6 Wakefield Close KARIONG	32 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 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.

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.
Thu	19°\|25°	Possible shower.
Fri	18°\|30°	Partly cloudy.
Sat	16°\|24°	Possible late shower.

A graph displaying the average daily temperature range for the year

Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park Link to official closures and fire bans page
A largely untouched wilderness on the northern boundary of Sydney, Ku-ring-gai Chase NP is one of Australia's oldest national parks. Here at the head of the Hawkesbury River, you'll find Aboriginal engravings and sites, as well as sandstone escarpments,
Region: Sydney & Surrounds
Park fees Camping Facilities I am not aware of any closures in this park at the moment.

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not too much longer now :)