This walk begins in the busy city of Chatswood and soon enters the nearby bushland around the Lane Cove River. The walk uses the v-shaped valleys to escape from the houses. Due to pollution and rubbish in stormwater run-off there are some less then pleasant pockets, however, this walk does explore some wonderful views of the Lane Cove River and its surrounds. You can buy lunch at the Golf course, or there are plenty of nice spots along the river to stop and eat.
(open in app)
There are Closed areas in Lane Cove National Park Today's Fire rating LOW MODERATE (No fire ban)
Cross sectional view of the Rail to River and Stringybark Creek Reserve Walk bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Rail to River and Stringybark Creek Reserve Walk 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
11km
Time
4 hrs
.
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
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
5km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 3.5km is flat with no steps. Whilst another 2.6km has short steep hills and the remaining 55m is very steep.
Quality of track
6km of this walk follows a smooth and hardened path and another 4.3km follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles. The remaining (590m) follows a clear and well formed track or trail.
Signs
Around 6km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 4.8km is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
Around 11km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 140m requires some bushwalking experience.
Weather
Around 11km 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 8km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 2.7km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).
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(0 km)
Chatswood Station
to
Int. Park Ave and Rail to River Trk Track: Moderate - footpath,bushtrack,bushtrack,road
Length = 991 m
Time = 20 mins
Climb = 10 m
Descent = -50 m
From Chatswood Train Station, this walk exits the station onto Victoria Ave. The walk then continues up Victoria Ave, passing Chatswood RSL on the left. This walk continues to the Pacific Highway where it crosses over the at a pedestrian crossing or the foot bridge near by. Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads north up the Pacific Highway, to turn left onto Western Way. The walk continues down Western Way through a dogleg, turning right onto Jenkins Rd then quickly left back onto Western Way. The walk heads down Western Way to turn right onto Edgar St and to the Edgar Reserve Park with green gate. Turn left: From the intersection, the walk passes the gate, then the playground on the right, and continues through the clearing. The track continues for approximately 150m to an intersection marked by a memorial bench. Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk heads between the tennis court fence on your right and the houses on your left for approximately 150m. The track then comes to an intersection with Park Ave, and a 'Rail to River Walk' sign[1]. Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Rail to River Walk' sign down the road for approximately 30m to the next signpost.
(0.99 km)
Int. Park Ave and Rail to River Trk
to
Int. Ferndale Trk and Beresford Trk Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 322 m
Time = 8 mins
Climb = 1 m
Descent = -24 m
Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Rail to River Walk' signpost past the 'Ferndale Park' sign, down the management trail. The walk continues along the trail for approximately 60m to a large grassed clearing. The walk then continues away from the clearing along a bush track, which soon comes to some steppingstones across the creek. Approximately 50m later, the walk comes to a signposted intersection. Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the creek (which remains on your left) down the gully for approximately 100m to the signposted intersection.
(1.31 km)
Int. Ferndale Trk and Beresford Trk
to
Int. Lowanna Park and Greville St Track: Moderate - bushtrack,footpath
Length = 360 m
Time = 9 mins
Climb = 41 m
Descent = -6 m
Veer right: From the intersection, the walk heads along the creek (which remains on the left) for approximately 60m to turn up the steps to a signposted intersection. Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Rail to River Walk' sign up the hill. The track zigzags up through mossy rock outcrops to a house on the left. This walk continues up the stairs to the intersection with the road. Veer right: From the intersection, this walk crosses the road and heads right, up the hill. The walk continues up the hill to Lowanna Park gate on the left.
(1.67 km)
Int. Lowanna Park and Greville St
to
Eastern side of O.H. Reid Memorial Oval Track: Moderate - footpath,road,bushtrack
Length = 962 m
Time = 19 mins
Climb = 2 m
Descent = -53 m
Turn left: From the gate on Greville St, this walk passes through the park diagonally, past the play equipment and BBQs, to the gate on the Fullers Rd side of Lowanna Park. Turn left: From Lowanna Park, this walk heads along Fullers Rd towards the mechanics, initially keeping the park on the left. The walk continues along Fullers Rd, as Millwood Ave breaks off to the right. The first left is the signposted intersection with Bellevue Ave. Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Rail to River Walk' signs down Bellevue Ave for approximately 500m, tending right to the signposted intersection. Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Rail to River Walk' sign down the hill for approximately 30m to the telegraph pole with 'Rail to River Walk' sign. Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Rail to River Walk' sign down the hill between the fences. The walk comes to the end of the laneway and descends the stairs, down through rocky outcrops to the O.H. Reid Memorial Oval.
(2.64 km)
Eastern side of O.H. Reid Memorial Oval
to
Int. Behind the 8th Tee Track: Hard - openland,road,bushtrack
Length = 570 m
Time = 11 mins
Climb = 6 m
Descent = -22 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk heads across the oval to the car park to the left of the toilet block. Continue straight: From the O.H. Reid Memorial Oval car park, this walk heads along the road with Chatswood Golf Course below on the left. The walk continues along the road for approximately 200m, passing a street on the left, to the intersection opposite house No. 17. Turn left: From the intersection opposite No. 17 Reid Drive, the walk heads down the stairs tending left down the hill to the signposted intersection behind the 8th tee.
(3.21 km)
Int. Behind the 8th Tee
to
8th Green Walk: Easy - servicetrail
Length = 473 m
Time = 8 mins
Climb = 2 m
Descent = -3 m
Turn left : From the intersection, this walk follows the track past the metal fence and along the right-hand side of the 8th fairway of Chatswood Golf Course, keeping the river on the right of the track. The walk continues up the fairway and over a bridge, passing two sand bunkers on the left. Approximately 20m after the second bunker, the walk comes to an intersection with a management trail, on the right.
Chatswood Golf Course
Alt = 28 m
The newly renovated deck at Chatswood Golf Course makes it a great place to take a breather on your walk. The club offers snacks and meals with a $12 all day breakfast on offer. Prices are reasonable, ranging from $5-20, with a good variety on offer. Chatswood Golf Course is open seven days for meals. More info
(3.68 km)
8th Green
to
Int. Avro Rd Trk and River Access Trk Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 967 m
Time = 20 mins
Climb = 35 m
Descent = -34 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk leaves the golf course and heads along the mangroves and waterline, to the right of the track. The walk follows the mangroves for a short time to the signposted intersection. Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the arrow for the 'River Walk', keeping the Lane Cove River on the right. The track continues along some boardwalk sections which are raised above the mangroves in places. The track continues to a signposted intersection. Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'River Track' sign, keeping the river below on the right. Large sections of track are suspended above the mangroves on a boardwalk. The track continues to wind along the Lane Cove River bank for approximately 400m to a signposted intersection.
(4.65 km)
Int. Avro Rd Trk and River Access Trk
to
Int. River Trk and Upper Access Trk Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 264 m
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 3 m
Descent = -3 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads west along the Lane Cove River bank, with the water to the right of the track. The track quickly opens out onto a clearing next to the river bank. The walk continues over two sections of boardwalked track, leading to a signposted intersection.
(4.91 km)
Int. River Trk and Upper Access Trk
to
Mowbray car park (near oval) Track: Moderate - bushtrack,footpath
Length = 521 m
Time = 11 mins
Climb = 25 m
Descent = -21 m
Turn right: From the signposted intersection, this walk heads towards the large rock next to the water (below on the right). The walk uses pins bolted into the rock as handholds, and climbs to the other side of the river bank. The track then continues along the gap between the mangroves and a rocky outcrop, to come to the Mowbray Park athletics field. Turn sharp left: From the oval's far corner, closest to the river and furthest from the road, this walk heads up the steps to the signposted intersection. Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads along the hillside towards the oval (below on the right). The track winds through the bush for approximately 60m to pass over a bridge and a 'Mowbray Park' sign in a grassed area. The walk crosses this grass area to come to the intersection with the footpath. Continue straight: From the park bench, this walk heads down the footpath, keeping the oval below on the right. The walk continues down the hill for a short time to soon come to the intersection to the side of the oval.
(5.43 km)
Mowbray car park (near oval)
to
Int. Epping Rd and Sam Johnson Way Track: Moderate - footpath
Length = 1.37 km
Time = 25 mins
Climb = 39 m
Descent = -20 m
Veer left: From the car park, this walk heads away from the oval and towards the bridge near the river. The walk crosses the car park to then follow the railed pathway under the bridge. Here the walk bends left and heads up the stairs to the intersection with Epping Rd. Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads along the shared footpath[2], keeping the traffic to your left. After about 100m, the walk crosses the factory driveway[3] and comes to a set of traffic lights[4] (opposite the end of Mowbray Rd). Continue straight: From the traffic lights, this walk heads uphill along the footpath beside Epping Rd to the first driveway entry to the large Shell petrol station. Continue straight: From the driveway, this walk heads up the hill along side Epping Rd, passing under a footbridge tothe traffic lights. Here the walk crosses Sam Johnson Way to the other side of the intersection.
(6.8 km)
Int. Epping Rd and Sam Johnson Way
to
Int. Elizabeth Pde and Lower Stringybark Trk Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 1.14 km
Time = 21 mins
Climb = 28 m
Descent = -18 m
Veer right: From the intersection next to the pedestrian crossing, the walk heads down the stairs past the track marker. The track winds down the hill and tends left along the hillside for a short time before coming out under a bridge. The track heads under the bridge to the signposted intersection. Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Murray St' sign along the creek bank, away from the bridge. The track passes through sections of rocks and ferns for approximately 700m before coming to an unmarked intersection on the left. Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads east along the creek (below on the right). The track winds through rocks and undulates for approximately 150m to an unmarked intersection on the left. Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Elizabeth Pde' arrow[5], undulating a little alongside the creek for approximately 150m, then turns right, up the hill, to the intersection with the road.
(7.94 km)
Int. Elizabeth Pde and Lower Stringybark Trk
to
Int. Stringybark Trk and Centennial Ave Track: Moderate - footpath
Length = 275 m
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 13 m
Descent = -3 m
Turn sharp left: From the intersection, the walk heads up the hill along Elizabeth Pde, with the houses initially to the right. Soon, the walk passes the roundabout with Gordon Cr (on the left) and continues up to Centennial Ave. The walk turns left onto Centennial Ave, crossing the road as safe to the bush track, marked by an 'Upper Stringybark Creek Reserve' sign[6].
(8.22 km)
Int. Stringybark Trk and Centennial Ave
to
End of Murray St Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 549 m
Time = 9 mins
Climb = 17 m
Descent = -5 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads past the 'Upper Stringybark Creek Reserve' sign[7] and down past a sandstone quarry interpretive sign[8]. The track leads down and along the creek line for approximately 600m to then follow a boardwalked section of track for a short time. The walk comes to the end of the boardwalk after crossing the creek and meets the grassed park of Stringybark Reserve and some more interpretive signs. Veer right: From the intersection, this walk heads north up the grassed hill to the road, at the end of Murray St.
(8.77 km)
End of Murray St
to
Sharland Ave entrance to Campbell Park Walk: Easy - footpath
Length = 700 m
Time = 13 mins
Climb = 26 m
Descent = -12 m
Turn right: From the intersection, the walk heads down Sharland Ave for approximately 150m to the park entrance on the left, marked by a signpost.
(9.47 km)
Sharland Ave entrance to Campbell Park
to
Int. Ferndale Trk and Beresford Lane Trk Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 332 m
Time = 8 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -20 m
Turn left : From the road, this walk passes through the top gate of Campbell Park and down along the footpath to the lower gate at Dalrymple Ave. Continue straight: From the entrance to Campbell Park, this walk crosses Dalrymple Ave into another grassy area marked by a 'Ferndale Park' sign. The track winds around to an interpretation sign which it passes to drop into a creek. The track then winds left along the side of a grassy clearing to follow the creek bank for approximately 50m along the back of some houses to the signposted intersection[9]. Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads down the hill to the next arrow and sign at the corner of the house. The track winds down a slight gradient for approximately 100m to a signposted intersection[10].
(9.8 km)
Int. Ferndale Trk and Beresford Lane Trk
to
Chatswood Station Track: Moderate - footpath
Length = 1.41 km
Time = 27 mins
Climb = 54 m
Descent = -11 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads up the laneway behind the houses. The path follows the blue markers for a short time to come to Beresford Ave, opposite Wallace Park Reserve. Turn sharp left: From the intersection, this walk heads up Lone Pine Ave to turn right onto Eddy Rd. The walk continues up to the end of the road, then turns left onto Pacific Highway. The walk passes the primary school and overpass, coming to the pedestrian crossing opposite Victoria Ave. Turn right: From the intersection, this walk crosses at pedestrian crossing on Pacific Highway, or takes the foot bridge just near the intersection. This walk then continues down Victoria Ave to the entrance of the train station on the right. If the road turns left, you have gone too far.
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.
Lane Cove National ParkLink to official closures and fire bans page This small but picturesque city park is a haven of peaceful bushland along the winding Lane Cove River. Home to the Kukundi Wildlife Shelter and 27 km of the Great North Walk, you can also hire a boat, take a stroll or enjoy a picnic by the weir. Region: Sydney & Surrounds Park feesCampingFacilities Current Park Closure information for Lane Cove National Park Closure information last downloaded Sunday 27th of September 2015 07:00 AM Closed areas: Terrys Creek walking track maintenance Some areas of this park will experience temporary disruptions and delays due to walking track maintenance, unless the closure is otherwise extended or removed. Closed areas are:
I tried part of your "Rail to River and Stringybark Creek Reserve Walk" - specifically, the part that led past Stringybark Bridge (5.43km to 8.68km).
a) thanks for publishing it
b) problems: couldn't see what you meant by the track crossing the car park - but found the bridge anyway (lovely graffiti - apart from the mindless bits);
there are several driveways near the Shell service station - I'm not sure which one you meant in your instructions;
>>>It's not Orion Road, it's Sam Johnson Way;
admin - re:
Super Administrator | 2011-02-02 00:53:22
Rosemary Sharples wrote:
problems: couldn't see what you meant by the ......
Thanks for the feedback, a few things for me to fix here. This is the car park http://www.wildwalks.com/i.html?image_id=55727 when we walked through there, but some work has happened in the area since so I am not sure how much it has changed. I hope to re-walk this area at later this year to update all the notes. I have cleaned up the notes along Epping Road, and fixed up the reference to Sam Johnson Way (note sure how we go that wrong). Hope the notes are clearer now. Hope you enjoyed your walk.
Thanks again
Matt :)
Alex
IP:203.52.113.xxx | 2011-10-16 23:30:21
Thanks again for the walk details. I THINK you could do this entire walk with a dog on leash - which is pretty unique for the bush areas.
We had a few "lost" moments, but found the track again quickly. Can I give some suggestions please? Obviously different people interpret things differently, so I'm not saying your notes are wrong!
I think the step "the walk continues along the road for approximately 200m, passing a street on the left, to the intersection opposite house No. 17." should refer to a street on the RIGHT.
You could include a note to say that in the golf course itself, just before you cross the little bridge, ignore the "No Trespassing" sign - it refers to areas PAST the turn off.
The step "From the signposted intersection, this walk heads towards the large rock next to the water (below on the right). The walk uses pins bolted into the rock as handholds, and climbs to the other side of the river bank. The track then continues along the gap between the mangroves and a rocky outcrop, to come to the Mowbray Park athletics field.
From the oval's far corner, closest to the river and furthest from the road, this walk heads up the steps to the signposted intersection.
From the intersection, this walk heads along the hillside towards the oval (below on the right). The track winds through the bush for approximately 60m to pass over a bridge and a 'Mowbray Park' sign in a grassed area. The walk crosses this grass area to come to the intersection with the footpath.
From the park bench, this walk heads down the footpath, keeping the oval below on the right. The walk continues down the hill for a short time to soon come to the intersection to the side of the oval. " confused us - if you take the hand-hold path, you end up at the corner of the athletics field, and just need to walk the length of the field nearest to the water to reach the car park. We were thinking maybe this step has been joined together with an alternate path step for when water levels are too high for the hand hold scramble. There is a signpost ~50m before the hand holds that directs you left, and I think would follow the ridge with the athletic fields below and on your right, which would then rejoin at the car park.
Finally the step "The walk comes to the end of the boardwalk after crossing the creek and meets the grassed park of Stringybark Reserve and some more interpretive signs.
From the intersection, this walk heads north up the grassed hill to the road, at the end of Murray St. " and the next one "From the intersection, the walk heads down Sharland Ave for approximately 150m to the park entrance on the left, marked by a signpost." I think are missing a turn in between. We followed Murray St literally to the end, and could not find the next turn. Checking the street directory afterwards I can't see how you can go straight from Murray into Sharland. I would suggest re-writing as something like
"...From the intersection, this walk heads north up the path to the road, turning right into Murray St. Follow Murray St with the park on your right, coming to the intersection with Ralston St. Turn left into Ralston St, heading up the hill to the intersection with Mowbray Rd. Cross Mowbray Road at the pedestrian crossing, heading straight across and down the hill into Beaconsfield Road. Take the first right into Sharland Ave." Looking at your map, I'm pretty sure this is the way the path goes.
Anyways just my suggestion. Thanks again for putting up all the walks!
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 :)