A great circuit walk in Popran National Park, to the beautiful Emerald Pool. This walk passes through a variety of vegetation and offers some great views along the way. Emerald Pool is a really beautiful spot and it is well worth spending some time exploring around the creek. The optional side trips along the 248 trail and to Mt Olive, add to the great views on the walk. If your car has reasonable ground clearance, you could drive to the Ironbark picnic area and start the walk from there.
(open in app)
There are Closed areas in Popran National Park Today's Fire rating LOW MODERATE (No fire ban)
Bushwalking track notes photographs, maps and camping spots for Emerald Pool circuit from Ironbark Rd
Cross sectional view of the Emerald Pool circuit from Ironbark Rd bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Emerald Pool circuit from Ironbark Rd 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 15 mins
.
Grade 4/6
Track: Hard
AS 2156.1
Gradient
Very steep (4/6)
Quality of track
Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
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
9km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 1.2km is very steep. Whilst another 940m has short steep hills and the remaining 25m is flat with no steps.
Quality of track
9km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail and another 1.2km follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely. The remaining (590m) follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.
Signs
Around 7km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 4km is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
Around 9km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 2.3km requires some bushwalking experience.
Weather
Around 9km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 1.8km is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.
Infrastructure
Around 7km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 4km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).
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Drive to Int of Ironbark Rd and Popran Pipeline Trail
(0 km)
Int of Ironbark Rd and Popran Pipeline Trail
to
Ironbark Rd picnic area Walk: Easy - road
Length = 1.7 km
Time = 35 mins
Climb = 88 m
Descent = -19 m
Starting from the car park at the end of the 'Pipeline Trail', the walk follows the gravel Ironbark Rd south, initially keeping the 'Pipeline Trail' gate to your left (not following the 'Pipeline Trail'). The gravel road passes between some houses with prominent 'private property' signs so stick to the road along here. The walk eventually comes to the car park and picnic area at the end of the road. Vehicles with reasonable ground clearance could be driven along this section, to the car park at the end of the road.
Ironbark Rd Picnic area
Alt = 280 m
This picnic area is located at the end of Ironbark Rd, on the edge of Popran National Park. While this is not a special spot for a picnic, there are good facilities if you are doing a walk in the area. There is a picnic table, pit toilet (with a small rainwater tank for handwashing), information signs and track arrows at this point. Some of the tracks starting from this point are also horse trails. A section of Ironbark Rd may not be suitable for 2WD vehicles so you may have to walk the last section of road.
(1.7 km)
Ironbark Rd picnic area
to
Int of Mt Olive trail and 248 Trail Walk: Easy - servicetrail
Length = 309 m
Time = 6 mins
Climb = 10 m
Descent = -10 m
Continue straight: From the car park, the walk passes around a gate and follows the management trail down the hill and soon arrives at the intersection marked with 'Mt Olive' and the '248 Trail'.
(2.01 km)
Int of Mt Olive trail and 248 Trail
to
Int of Hominy Creek Trail and 248 Trail Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 1.54 km
Time = 29 mins
Climb = 21 m
Descent = -75 m
Veer right: From the intersection, the walk follows the '248 Trail' arrow along the management trail. The trail meanders for a while and descends gently before passing through the signposted 'Donovans Forest'. After climbing from 'Donovans Forest' and meandering a little further, the trail arrives at the signposted intersection of the 'Hominy Creek Trail' and the '248 Trail'.
(3.54 km)
Int of Hominy Creek Trail and 248 Trail
to
End of 248 Trail Optional sidetrip: Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 597 m
Time = 12 mins
Climb = 24 m
Descent = -8 m
Veer right: From the intersection, the walk follows the '248 Trail' arrow along the overgrown management trail, going gently up the hill. The track ends at a large rocky outcrop which is interesting to explore and has some nice views. (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then turn right to continue along this walk.)
End of 248 Trail lookout
Alt = 243 m
This informal lookout is located at the end of the 248 trail in Popran National Park. The lookout offers some nice views into the surrounding valleys. The rocky outcrops in the area have some nice shapes and textures. Be careful to avoid damaging some faint Aboriginal carvings on these rocks.
(3.54 km)
Int of Hominy Creek Trail and 248 Trail
to
No Horses signpost Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 464 m
Time = 8 mins
Climb = 4 m
Descent = -7 m
Veer left: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Hominy Creek Trail' arrow along the management trail until arriving at the 'No horses beyond this point' signpost, where the increasingly overgrown management trail becomes a bush track.
(4 km)
No Horses signpost
to
Hominy Creek crossing Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 1.24 km
Time = 24 mins
Climb = 10 m
Descent = -96 m
Continue straight: From the signpost, the walk follows the bush track leaving the signpost behind and to the right. This section of the walk descends gently passing through more swampy ground before dropping more steeply to arrive at the intersection of the 'Hominy Creek Track' and the 'Emerald Pool' track, beside Hominy Creek.
(5.24 km)
Hominy Creek crossing
to
Emerald Pool Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 111 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 1 m
Descent = -8 m
Veer right: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Emerald Pool' arrow along the bush track, keeping the creek to the left. The walk soon arrives at the beautiful Emerald Pool.
Emerald Pool
Alt = 131 m
Emerald Pool is a beautiful spot on Hominy Creek in Popran National Park. This deep pool has crystal clear water with an emerald/green tinge. There is a nice little cascade falling into the pool and it is a great spot for lunch while doing one of the walks in the area.
(5.35 km)
Emerald Pool
to
End of Hominy Creek management trail Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 475 m
Time = 11 mins
Climb = 43 m
Descent = -1 m
Turn around: From the Emerald Pool, the walk follows the bush track, keeping the creek to the right, for a short distance before arriving at an intersection with another bush track at a creek crossing. Turn right: From the intersection, the walk crosses the creek and follows the 'Hominy Creek Track' arrow up the hill (from the opposite side of the creek to the Emarald Pool track). The walk climbs and meanders for a while before reaching the end of a management trail, signposted with 'Hominy Creek Track', 'No horses beyond this point' and others.
(5.83 km)
End of Hominy Creek management trail
to
Int of Mt Olive trail and Mt Olive bush track Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 2.95 km
Time = 1 Hr
Climb = 137 m
Descent = -31 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the management trail up the hill and arrives at an intersection with the 'Mt Olive Trail'. Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Carpark 2.7km' arrow along the management trail, going up the hill. The walk climbs gently and meanders for some distance, offering nice views along the way, before arriving at an intersection with a bush track (signposted 'Mt Olive').
(8.78 km)
Int of Mt Olive trail and Mt Olive bush track
to
Top of Mt Olive Optional sidetrip: Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 185 m
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 22 m
Descent = -1 m
Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Mt Olive' signpost along the bush track. The walk meanders for a while before reaching an intersection with another bush track. Turn left: From the intersection, the walk follows the bush track steeply up the hill and soon arrives at the top of Mt Olive. (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then turn right to continue along this walk.)
Mt Olive
Alt = 300 m
Mt Olive is a low rising hill in Popran National Park. The views from the top, across the surrounding national park, in all directions, are very nice. The nice cliffs around the base of Mt Olive also add to the scenery. There are the remnants of a couple of old trig points at the top.
(8.78 km)
Int of Mt Olive trail and Mt Olive bush track
to
Int of Ironbark Rd and Popran Pipeline Trail Track: Moderate - servicetrail,road
Length = 2.03 km
Time = 41 mins
Climb = 30 m
Descent = -98 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the management trail gently up the hill, leaving the 'Mt Olive' signpost on the right. After a very short distance the trail arrives at the intersection signposted with 'Mt Olive' and the '248 Trail'. Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows the management trail past the 'Way Out' signpost and immediately bends to the right. The walk soon passes around a gate and arrives at the car park. Continue straight: From the car park, the walk follows the road, passing some 'private property' and eventually arrives at another car park at the end of the signposted 'Pipeline Track'.
Drive from Int of Ironbark Rd and Popran Pipeline Trail
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.
Popran National ParkLink to official closures and fire bans page Popran National Park is divided into 5 main section and sits north of the Hawkesbury River between Dharug NP and the Sydney-Newcastle freeway. The park protects many creeks, Aboriginal sites, some shore line of the Hawkesbury, interesting rock formationtions and a diverse range of flora and fauna. One of the five section is closed to the public and walking is more popular in the larger of the five. Walking during spring will reward you with many wildflowers, warmer days are great for enjoying the refreshing water holes. Region: Sydney & Surrounds Park feesCampingFacilities Current Park Closure information for Popran National Park Closure information last downloaded Sunday 27th of September 2015 07:00 AM Closed areas: Hominy Creek walking track temporary closure Hominy Creek walking track is temporarily closed to visitors due to erosion and poor condition following extreme weather. The walking track will remain closed until maintenance work can be completed. For more information, please contact the NPWS Hawkesbury North area office on (02) 4320 4200 or visit the NSW National Parks safety page for park safety guidelines.
Great website! I'm grateful to find the information needed to walk the Emerald Pool circuit and the 248 lookout side walk.
The spring blossoms were wonderful, especially the waratahs. I'm from interstate so I'd never seen them before. They are stunning. [We visited mid-September.]
The Emerald Pool was beautiful too. My family really enjoyed the walk.
I *was* able to make it up to the Ironbark picnic area in my 12 year old Barina (laden with 3 adults + a toddler), but I wouldn't have attempted it if I hadn't had prior 4WD experience. The track is sandy, not rocky, so even though my car scraped its underside a bit, it appears to be fine. It's nice that the website includes the length and difficulty of the walk along Ironbark Rd to the picnic area for those who will not drive the track to the picnic area.
I look foward to doing more of the walks on this website. Thanks very much!
AlanM - Wild flowers specticular!
IP:125.254.75.xxx | 2010-11-25 23:13:50
I did this walk a couple of times in September 2010. Loved it.
Attempted this walk today, but by remarkable stupidity *took* the Poplan Pipeline track visible in the first photo in the photoset, instead of proceeding further along the unsignposted Ironbark Rd.
My fault - I should have checked that we were walking south, and not east.
First sign of something wrong - the pipeline track fairly dives into the Popran ck valley (extremely steep descent.) Second and definitive sign: the ford over a Popran Ck tributary.
Interestingly, the tributary was flowing backwards (away from Popran Ck, from left to right as we looked over it at the ford.) I attribute this to Popran flooding, which is kinda scary, considering that the tributary falls 20m to join the creek.
We turned around, trudged all the way back up the 150m descent, and gave up after investigating the Ironbark Rd a little further, in favour of milkshakes at Mangrove Mt shops (highly recommended.)
Will be trying this walk again, this time in the correct direction :) but would like to strongly advise people against repeating our error - the posted trail at the track head is *not* the trail to follow. Next time, I check my compass before plunging in.
admin - re: My foolish error
Super Administrator | 2011-01-11 22:35:55
ColinM wrote:
Attempted this walk today, but by remarkable stupidity *took* the Poplan Pipeline track visible in the first photo in the photoset, instead of proceeding further along the unsignposted Ironbark Rd.
Bugger, sorry about that Colin, I hope your enjoyed the walk down to Popran Ck it is quiet nice too. I have updated the notes to say not to follow the pipeline trail, hopefully making it clearer for the next people. I kept the photo of the gate there as it is helpful for finding the start of the walk, so hopefully the notes will help people avoid the same mistake.
Hope the next walk goes more to plan. Thanks for the feedback.
Matt :)
ColinM - completed walk - lovely
IP:121.44.57.xxx | 2011-01-18 13:08:34
Walked the walk today, with extensions (and some wandering around Mt Olive.)
Wonderful walk, very beautiful pool, and so well-placed for a mid-hike swim.
Couldn't find any carvings at the end of 428 ... found some around though, which added to the fun.
We'll definitely be taking scouts on this one. Thanks for the heads up!
Paige
IP:120.22.215.xxx | 2012-11-21 04:42:47
its awesome so great i want to go back everyday really worth the walk
Chris
IP:124.171.41.xxx | 2013-03-31 11:26:19
Did this walk in March 2013.
Hominy trail between 248 trail and Emerald Pool was closed due to erosion, so had to walk in and return via Mt Olive trail and eastern section of Hominy trail (which is suffering from erosion as well).
95% firetrail - quite exposed so would be pretty warm in summer.
Nice views and forest along the way, the pool is a lovely place for lunch and a swim.
Mt Olive detour is well worth it, especially around sunset.
Alex Portnoy - NPWS preparing for work on pat
IP:49.176.68.xxx | 2013-05-06 14:57:27
The whole Hominy Track is not closed, despite the overbearing NPWS notice; only the eroded Western path has a Warning sign at the trackhead about erosion ahead, but even I was able to negotiate it with ease last Sunday.
It looks like NPWS has just unloaded a lot of materials, sand and wood pilings in bundles and big hessian bags, by helicopter, as you move up western path, about every 20 metres or so. Looks like there's a planby NPWS field staff to start repairing this path imminently.
Alex Portnoy - Water at Emerald Pool.
IP:49.176.68.xxx | 2013-05-06 15:03:35
Be aware that the water is fresh and clean, but icy cold. Good for refreshing dip, as I did, but you don't want to stay in there too long you get hypothermia.
About 1.2 mtres deep.
Also, look out for the aboriginal carvings of a fish/shark/dugong, which can be seen on the next ledge where water cascades out of the Pool. Look carefully, or you'll miss it.
I also found a kangaroo engraving on the Ironbark trail, on a rock ledge in dense bush.
Hiking near Sydney 
Track: Hard
1 km
There is free parking available.
not too much longer now :)