Setting out from Pennant Hills train station, this walk loops around Pennant Hills Park, exploring the surrounding bush and visiting Whale rock on the way. The walk turns back towards the park after passing the Lane Cove River. The walk mostly follows management trails.
(open in app)
There are Closed areas in Lane Cove National Park Today's Fire rating LOW MODERATE (No fire ban)
Bushwalking track notes photographs, maps and camping spots for Pennant Hills Park loop (via Lane Cove River)
Cross sectional view of the Pennant Hills Park loop (via Lane Cove River) bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Pennant Hills Park loop (via Lane Cove River) 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
8km
Time
3 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
3.9km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 2.9km is flat with no steps. The remaining (1.3km) is very steep.
Quality of track
3.5km of this walk follows a smooth and hardened path and another 2.4km follows a clear and well formed track or trail. The remaining (2.2km) follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.
Signs
Around 4.3km of this walk is clearly signposted, whilst the remaining 3.8km has directional signs at most intersection.
Experience Required
Around 6km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 1.9km requires some bushwalking experience.
Weather
Around 7km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 790m is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.
Infrastructure
Around 5km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 3km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).
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(0 km)
Pennant Hills station
to
Mambara east int. Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - footpath
Length = 1.55 km
Time = 27 mins
Climb = 15 m
Descent = -51 m
From the platform the track heads out onto Railway street, turns right and continues up towards Pennant Hills road. Before it reaches the main road, the track heads up a short set of steps and up the ramp to the overpass, where it crosses the main road and continues down the other side to the bottom. Turning right at the main road, the track follows the footpath along the main road east for a short distance to the intersection of the Cresant. From the intersection the track follows the Cresant down the hill and along to the end of the road turning left and then immediately right onto Charlotte road which joins onto Brittania street and to the intersection of the Pennant Hills Park entry at the round about. Continue straight: From the 'Pennant Hills Park’ entry sign[1] (beside the Britannia St roundabout, near the car park[fac=8071]), this walk leads gently downhill along the narrow concrete footpath[2], keeping the road to your right (and ignoring the short path on your right)[3]. After 10m this walk comes to a log seat[4][fac=8069] (on your right), and ‘Wildlife Protection Area’[5], 'Mambara Track'[6] and 'Mambara Access Track'[7] signs (on your left). This walk continues for 40m along the path around the sharp left bend [8] then continues for another 20m to come to a 3-way intersection[9], marked with an arrow post[10] (on your left). Turn right: From the intersection[11], this walk follows the arrow post[12] gently downhill along the concrete path[13], keeping the road (a short distance) to your right. After 5m this walk passes 'The Ultimate Jigsaw' sign[14] (on your left) then continues gently uphill[15] for about 140m over a series of rough concrete sections[16] to come to a 3-way intersection with a dirt track[17] (on the right). Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the concrete path gently up over a rise[18] (keeping the road to your right). After about 15m this walk leads gently downhill and soon bends left[19]. This walk continues along the path for about 70m past a 'Bush Recycling' sign[20] (on the left) to come to a 4-way intersection[21] (with two dirt tracks on the right). Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads distinctly but gently downhill[22] along the concrete path as the track bends left. This walk then gently meanders downhill for about 20m through the open forest[23], passing a potential trip hazard[fac=8070] on the path. This walk then continues for about 35m along the path which soon bends right[24], then comes to a sharp left hand bend[25]. Half way through the bend there is a 3-way intersection with a dirt track[26] (on the right). Turn left: From the intersection, this walk leads downhill along the concrete path, immediately passing the turning rest bay[27] (on the left) and a 'You scratch my back' sign[28] (on the right). This walk then continues gently downhill through the open forest[29] for another 35m to a distinct 3-way intersection with a short concrete path (on the right)[30].
(1.55 km)
Int of Pennant Hills park and Mambara Tracks(south)
to
Int of North Epping service trail Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 920 m
Time = 22 mins
Climb = 8 m
Descent = -83 m
Turn right: From the intersection the track follows the bushtrack down off the footpath and down the hill, winding along to the intersection of the unnamed bushtrack. Turn right: From the intersection the track follows the bushtrack winding south along the side of the valley through thick scrub until it opens out onto a thin rock platform at the top of a hill Veer left: From the intersection the track off the rock platform and down the hill, winding through the bush following the cheltenham sign along the side of the valley for a long while until continuing down some wooden steps to the telegraph pole at the intersection of the bushtrack. Veer right: From the intersection the bushtrack follows the powerlines, down the gentle hill and down the long set of steps to the bottom where it crosses the creek to the signposted intersection of the Cheltenham bushtrack. Turn right: From the intersection the track follows the Cheltenham sign up the bushtrack and up some steps to the intersection of the North Epping service trail
(2.47 km)
Int of North Epping service trail
to
Big Ducky Waterhole Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 568 m
Time = 9 mins
Climb = 4 m
Descent = -12 m
Turn sharp left: From the intersection the track follows the service trail down the hill for a short distance to the intersection of the Pennant Hills track Veer right: From the intersection the track follows the service trail south east down the gentle hill and through the valley until it drops down across a creek and continues up the other side to the intersection of the Epping bushtrack. Veer left: From the intersection the track follows the Lane Cove River arrow along the servicetrail for a while before it loops around the top of Big Ducky Waterhole.
Big Ducky Waterhole
Alt = 49 m
The servicetrail loops around the top of the Big Ducky waterhole and there is a nice rock overhang in which to break. Is also a popular bird watching area. Unfortunately, recently there has been large quantities of rubbish in the area. (If going down to the waterhole please consider carrying out some of the rubbish if every walker carrys out a bit it will make a difference)
(3.04 km)
Big Ducky Waterhole
to
Whale Rock Walk: Easy - servicetrail
Length = 479 m
Time = 8 mins
Climb = 6 m
Descent = -9 m
Continue straight: From the top of Big Ducky Waterhole the continues through the valley keeping Devlins Creek below on the left of the track all the way to Whale Rock.
Whale Rock
Alt = 48 m
This is a large boulder that looks eerily like a whale, complete with eye socket. It is a good place to break and climb around the Rock.
(3.52 km)
Whale Rock
to
Int of Pennant Hills park road Track: Hard - servicetrail
Length = 2.67 km
Time = 57 mins
Climb = 138 m
Descent = -63 m
Continue straight: From Whale Rock the track follows the Penant Hills Park arrow along the service trail as it winds through the valley, crossing several small concrete creek crossings until it comes to the signposted intersection of the Pennant Hills ovals service trail. Turn left : From the intersection the track follows the Pennant Hills ovals sign up the steep rocky service trail winding all the way up the side of the valley, flattening out to a gentle climb as it approaches the top and passing the intersection of a powerline service trail, continuing along the top of the ridge all the way to the intersection of the second second powerline service trail. From here the track continues along the ridge, following the service trail through the thick bushland all the way to the intersection of the third powerline service trail. Continue straight: From the intersection the track follows the service trail winding up the gentle hill and turning right at the archery warning sign, continuing through the bush to the intersection of the airfield service trail. Turn left: From the intersection the track follows the service trail west through the bush up a long gentle hill and through a metal gate to the intersection of the Pennant Hills park road.
(6.19 km)
End of Pennant Hills Park
to
Pennant Hills Park Entry Walk: Easy - road
Length = 749 m
Time = 13 mins
Climb = 23 m
Descent = -7 m
Veer right: From the intersection at the National Park gate the track follows the road up the gentle hill as it passes several tennis courts, football and hockey fields as it winds all the way up to the intersection of the bushtrack behind the "Pennant Hills Park walking track system" sign on the left side of the road.
Pennant Hills Park
Alt = 124 m
Pennant Hills Park is a large sporting complex located in the back of Pennant Hills and on the border of the Land Cove National Park. This large venue consists of four large ovals (3 with cricket pitches), 16 tennis courts, a hockey court and an archery range. If you would like to book a tennis court then contact David Cochrane (02) 9481 0970. There are also BBQ and picnic facilities provided at the park.
(6.94 km)
Pennant Hills Park Entry
to
Pennant Hills Park entry Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - road
Length = 79 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 4 m
Descent = 0 m
Continue straight: From the intersection the track heads up the road keeping the sports oval on the right of the road as it comes to the round about.
(7.02 km)
Pennant Hills Park entry
to
Pennant Hills station Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - footpath
Length = 1.15 km
Time = 20 mins
Climb = 35 m
Descent = -9 m
Turn right: From the roundabout the track follows Britannia street up past the two large ovals and continuing all the way along, winding around the left and right hand bends in the road which becomes the Cresant, and heads up the hill to the intersection of Pennant Hills road. From the intersection the track turns left at the main road and follows it along the footpath for a short distance to the bottom of the overpass, turning left up the ramp that winds all the way up and over the road coming back down to the intersection of Railway street. From the intersection the track follows Railway street down the hill and past the bus stops to the entrance to the train station.
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 am amazed at the great walks around Sydney suburbs and this one is no exception. Once you get into the National Park you only see houses for about 100 metres. You could well be a long way from civilisation for the rest of it.
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 :)