Hornsby to Galston Gorge
Download & Print Map and Notes
4 hrs
9.7 km One way
473 m
Hard track
(0km) Hornsby Train Station → Int of Quarry Road and Great North Walk
720 m
14 mins
8m
-34m
Easy track
From the western side of Hornsby Railway Station[1], this walk first crosses the bus lane, then follows the large ‘To the Great North Walk’ sign[2] across the Station St pedestrian crossing[3], and then across the Pacific Highway at the traffic lights[4]. Here the walk turns right and follows the footpath (across ‘Dural Lane’[5]) past some shops to cross ‘Dural St’[6]. The walk then turns left and follows the footpath down along ‘Dural St’[7], past a few more shops. Continuing past the units, this walk then turns right onto ‘Quarry Rd’[8][9] and follows the road down the gently hill for about 180m to an intersection with ‘Old Mans Valley’ management trail[10] and locked gate (on your right).
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows Quarry Road down the gentle hill, leaving the houses[11][12] behind to come to an intersection with a track, signposted with a ‘Great North Walk’ sign[13] (on your left).
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows Quarry Road down the gentle hill, leaving the houses[11][12] behind to come to an intersection with a track, signposted with a ‘Great North Walk’ sign[13] (on your left).
(0.72km) Int of Quarry Road and Great North Walk → Berowra Valley Bushland Park
540 m
14 mins
12m
-89m
Hard track
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Great North Walk’ sign[14] up the hill. The track leads up over the rise, then continues down to the intersection with the Quarry Rd Management trail[15].
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Great North Walk’ sign[16] down the steep rock steps[17]. The walk winds steeply down a number of sets of stone steps, passing some large rock walls for a bit over 100m, to find a welcome flat section of track[18] midway the hill. As the track leads past some houses (through the trees on your left), this walk heads down more steps[19] before coming to the open area of ‘Berowra Valley Bushland Park’[20][21], at the end of Rosemead Road[22].
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Great North Walk’ sign[16] down the steep rock steps[17]. The walk winds steeply down a number of sets of stone steps, passing some large rock walls for a bit over 100m, to find a welcome flat section of track[18] midway the hill. As the track leads past some houses (through the trees on your left), this walk heads down more steps[19] before coming to the open area of ‘Berowra Valley Bushland Park’[20][21], at the end of Rosemead Road[22].
Berowra Valley Bushland Park
‘Berowra Valley Bushland Park’[23] is also known as Rosemead Rd Park and is found at the bottom end of Rosemead Rd[24], Hornsby. This is an open area park surrounded by shady eucalyptus trees[25], making a pleasant spot to rest on a walk. It has a picnic table with bench seats[26], and a sheltered free electric BBQ[27]. There is a water tap[28] in the park, near the road. There is also a ‘Welcome to Old Mans Valley’ information sign with information about the traditional country of the Darug and Guringai peoples[29].
(1.26km) Berowra Valley Bushland Park → Int of Great North Walk and Manor Rd Bushtrack
910 m
21 mins
45m
-42m
Moderate track
Veer right: From the lower side of Berowra Valley Bushland Park[30] (at the end of Rosemead Rd, Hornsby[31]), this walk follows the ‘Fishponds 1.2km’ arrow on the large sign[32], down the track[33] for approximately 30m, to the intersection with the Rosemead management trail[34], marked with a Great North Walk arrow.
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk heads downhill along the wide rocky management trail[35] as it bends left (and passing some houses off to the left). The trail then bends right[36] and leads across Old Mans Creek using some concrete stepping stones[37]. The walk then continues by heading up the moderately steep hill and then through a thick blue gum and bracken fern forest[38]. The wide trail leads to the top of the hill then bends left, (ignoring the track on the right[39]) to pass over a saddle[40]. Here the trail leads down the gentle hill[41], through the turpentine forest for just over 300m to find an intersection with narrower track on the right, marked with arrow posts[42].
Veer right: From the intersection, the walk follows the ‘Great North Walk’ arrow[43] down the narrower track a short distance to find a three-way intersection marked with a large ‘Great North walk’ signpost[44].
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk heads downhill along the wide rocky management trail[35] as it bends left (and passing some houses off to the left). The trail then bends right[36] and leads across Old Mans Creek using some concrete stepping stones[37]. The walk then continues by heading up the moderately steep hill and then through a thick blue gum and bracken fern forest[38]. The wide trail leads to the top of the hill then bends left, (ignoring the track on the right[39]) to pass over a saddle[40]. Here the trail leads down the gentle hill[41], through the turpentine forest for just over 300m to find an intersection with narrower track on the right, marked with arrow posts[42].
Veer right: From the intersection, the walk follows the ‘Great North Walk’ arrow[43] down the narrower track a short distance to find a three-way intersection marked with a large ‘Great North walk’ signpost[44].
(2.18km) Int of Great North Walk and Manor Rd Bushtrack → Fishponds crossing
340 m
8 mins
3m
-40m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Fishponds’ sign[45] along the flat narrow track past the ‘Berowra Valley Regional Park’ sign[46]. The track soon bends left (passing along the top of an unfenced cliff) then winds down some steep carved rock steps (with a hand rail)[47]. The rocky track then leads down along the side of the valley for just over 100m to cross a timber foot bridge[48]. The track then continues for another 70m to find a fenced rock platform[49] and signposted intersection[50].
Turn right: From the lookout[51], this walk follows the ‘Galston Gorge’ sign[52] along the fenced rock shelf (keeping the fence to your left). The track leads down the rocky steps to the edge of Berowra Creek[53]. The walk crosses the creek using the stepping stones, and comes to a small cave[54] on the other side. This creek may be impassable after rain[55]. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Veer left.
Turn right: From the lookout[51], this walk follows the ‘Galston Gorge’ sign[52] along the fenced rock shelf (keeping the fence to your left). The track leads down the rocky steps to the edge of Berowra Creek[53]. The walk crosses the creek using the stepping stones, and comes to a small cave[54] on the other side. This creek may be impassable after rain[55]. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Veer left.
Fishponds
Fishponds is a long waterhole[56] on Berowra Creek in Berowra Valley Regional Park. The waterhole is lined with tall cliffs[57] and a few sandstone caves. At the southern end, there are stepping stones to help cross the creek[58], and a small timber bridge[59] at the northern end. This is a beautiful spot and a worthy place to rest and enjoy the water passing by[60]. The waterhole is fairly popular with local teens in summer, cooling off. Swimming and jumping at the Fishponds waterhole has resulted in fatalities – please heed the signs and Cora’s parents’ plea and enjoy the water from the edge.
(2.18km) Int of GNW and Manor Rd Bushtrack → Corner of Dilkera and Manor Rd
230 m
13 mins
95m
0m
Moderate track
Turn sharp right: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Alternative Route’ arrow on the GNW sign[62]. The track dips before heading steeply uphill, zigzagging in several sections. The walk leads you up a large metal staircase to the top of the cliffs, coming to the intersection of Manor Rd and Dilkera Cl.
(2.4km) Corner of Dilkera and Manor Rd → End of Clarinda St
1.7 km
31 mins
36m
-49m
Easy track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows Manor Rd as it initially heads up a gentle hill. After about 600m, Manor Road turns to skirt about Mount Wilga Hospital, and the road changes name to Rosamond St. The walk continues along to the intersection with Stewart Ave on the left (this is a four-way intersection, with Carrington Rd on the right).
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads north along Rosamond St following the Great North Walk arrow. The walk then turns left into Clarinda St and follows it to the end of the road, to find the ‘Clarinda Wetlands’ sign.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads north along Rosamond St following the Great North Walk arrow. The walk then turns left into Clarinda St and follows it to the end of the road, to find the ‘Clarinda Wetlands’ sign.
(4.06km) End of Clarinda St → Int of Clarinda St trail and waterfall track
1.1 km
24 mins
51m
-66m
Easy track
Turn right: From the end of Clarinda St Hornsby, this walk heads around the green gate with the ‘Berowra Valley Regional Park’ sign on it, keeping the ‘Clarinda wetlands’ to the left. The walk follows the management trail, which soon bends left and gently winds through the bushland. There are some interesting rock formations on the right and the occasional valley view on the left. The track is fairly flat most of the way, until a left-hand bend that leads down to cross a small creek, and then up the other side of the valley. Once the track flattens out again, it comes to an intersection with the Simon Pl management trail on the right, at a fairly large clearing.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the flat management trail, heading away from Simon Place past the ‘Berowra Valley Regional Park’, ‘Dogs Prohibited’ sign[63]. The walk gently meanders along the trail, enjoying the ferns and sandstone rocks for a while until coming to a ‘Great North Walk’ sign[64] highlighting the intersection with small track on the left.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the flat management trail, heading away from Simon Place past the ‘Berowra Valley Regional Park’, ‘Dogs Prohibited’ sign[63]. The walk gently meanders along the trail, enjoying the ferns and sandstone rocks for a while until coming to a ‘Great North Walk’ sign[64] highlighting the intersection with small track on the left.
(5.14km) Int of Clarinda St and waterfall track → Int of Stewart Ave service trail and waterfall track
470 m
13 mins
9m
-98m
Moderate track
Turn left : From the intersection, this walk heads down the hill along the narrow track, following the ‘Great North Walk’ sign[65]. The track is rocky and steep in a few places. Take care as the track turns at the top of some smaller cliffs while winding down the hill. Steps have been made from rocks and logs, making this track a bit more gentle, and there are some carved steps in the steeper sections. At the bottom of a small flight stone stairs, the walk crosses the creek on the rocks just in front of the waterfall.
Veer right: From the waterfall, this walk climbs the stone stairs (keeping the waterfall initially on the left) and then turns right, heading up out of the gully. Once at the top of the stairs, the walk heads through the bush until soon coming to a ‘T’ intersection with the Stewart St management trail, signposted with a large ‘Great North Walk’ sign[66].
Veer right: From the waterfall, this walk climbs the stone stairs (keeping the waterfall initially on the left) and then turns right, heading up out of the gully. Once at the top of the stairs, the walk heads through the bush until soon coming to a ‘T’ intersection with the Stewart St management trail, signposted with a large ‘Great North Walk’ sign[66].
(5.61km) Int of Stewart Ave service trail and waterfall track → Steele Bridge
400 m
8 mins
5m
-29m
Easy track
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Galston Gorge 4km’ arrow[67] down the hill along the wide management trail. For the most part, the trail gently heads downhill then bends around to the left, leading to an intersection just before Steele Bridge.
Historic Military ‘Steele’ Bridge
This large steel and timber bridge spans Berowra Creek north of Fishponds. The creek is fairly wide at this point and the bridge provides a great view of the sandstone overhangs along the creek’s edge. The bridge was commissioned in 1965 to allow access for fire trucks. The bridge was designed by Major General Sir Clive Steele in 1942. Bridges of this type were critical during the WWII South West Pacific campaigns. The bridge is designed on the Warren truss style and is one of only 4 ‘Steele’ bridges still in use in NSW. More info.
(6km) Steele Bridge → Tunks Ridge Rest Area
1.8 km
44 mins
160m
-33m
Hard track
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk crosses the ‘Historic Military Steele Bridge’[68] and turns right to follow the ‘Crosslands’ sign [69] uphill along the wide management trail. After about 200m, the trail becomes steeper (and is concreted) for around 150m, then flattens out just before the left bend. The trail continues to climb (enjoying the valley views to the right) for another 400m, after which the trail becomes quite steep again for for about 600m (here the trail is sealed[70] then concreted[71] in two sections). From the top of the second concreted section, the trail leads gently uphill for just shy of 300m to the well-signposted ‘Tunks Ridge Rest Area’, where a sign points back down the trail to ‘Stewart St Hornsby Trackhead’[72].
Tunks Ridge Rest Area
Tunks Ridge Rest Area is a large, shady and gently sloping campsite[73] at the junction of three management trails. There is no water or other facilities (you will need to carry your own in). A sign at the top of the campsite reminds campers that there is a one night limit and that it is a fuel stove only area (no campfires)[74]. Please note that the composting toilet[75] has been removed and no longer available.
(7.78km) Tunks Ridge Rest Area → Int of Great North Walk and Galston Gorge track
1.4 km
28 mins
38m
-68m
Moderate track
Turn right: From the top of the rest area, this walk follows the ‘Galston Gorge’ AND ‘Crosslands Reserve’ signs[76] along the wide management trail, keeping the valley to your right. The trail winds along the side of the ridge[77] (passing along the base of a long rock wall[78], up to your left) for about 700m, until the trail comes to the top of the ridge. From here, the trail leads for another 500m, down across a saddle[79] then up to a clear Y-intersection[80]. The walk takes the left branch and passes a few ‘Regeneration Area’ signs[81][82] over about 250m, coming to a well-signposted[83] intersection with narrower track (on your left), partway around the right-hand bend.
(9.14km) Int of Great North Walk and Galston Gorge track → Galston Gorge track head
550 m
16 mins
14m
-119m
Hard track
Turn left: From the intersection, the walk follows the ‘Galston Gorge’ sign[84] down the steep rocky track[85] as it zigzags down towards the valley. About 40m down the hill, the track comes to a ‘Great North Walk – Walkers Registration’ box[86]. After leaving your comments, this walk continues downhill, passing through a crack in the rock[87] where the walk bends right and follows along the particularly rocky section for about 150m and comes to a fence[88]. The fence guides down a steep section, passing a cave[89], and comes to the top of a metal peg ladder[90]. This walk climbs down the ladder, then follows the rock wall (keeping the road to your left), heading down through a crack[91] and along another fence, then coming to a flat area beside the road[92]. Here the walk follows the GNW arrow[93] to the right and down under the bridge[94]. The walk crosses the creek, usually a bit more than ankle deep[95]. This creek maybe impassable after rain – the road bridge above offers an alternate way across[96], but watch and listen for traffic. On the other bank, the walk turns left to follow the track uphill[97]. The track well-formed track climbs to the well-signposted and paved Galston Gorge trackhead[98], where a ‘Fishponds’ sign[99] points back down the track.
Galston Gorge track head
Galston Gorge track head is located at a small car park[100] on the eastern side of Berowra Creek, near the bottom of the gorge on Galston Road. This track head is a good access point for those wanting to do sections of the Great North Walk and is well signposted[101]. Keep an eye open for the local chickens[102].
Maps for the Hornsby to Galston Gorge walk
You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.
| Hornsby | 1:25 000 Map Series | 91304S HORNSBY | NSW-91304S |
| Sydney | 1:100 000 Map Series | 9130 SYDNEY | 9130 |
Cross sectional view of the Hornsby to Galston Gorge bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Hornsby to Galston Gorge
Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001
Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.
| Length | 9.7 km | ||
| Time | 4 hrs | ||
| . | |||
| Grade 4/6 Hard track |
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 | Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6) | ||
| Infrastructure | Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6) |
Some more details of this walks Grading
Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk
Gradient
4.2km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 2.7km is very steep. Whilst another 1.5km has short steep hills and the remaining 1.3km is flat with no steps.
Quality of track
6km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail and another 1.8km follows a smooth and hardened path. The remaining (1.8km) follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.
Signs
Around 6km of this walk is clearly signposted, whilst the remaining 3.5km has directional signs at most intersection.
Experience Required
Around 8km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 1.6km requires some bushwalking experience.
weather
This whole walk, 10km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
Around 8km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 1.9km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).
Similar walks
499 m One way
15 mins
Easy track
4.2 km Circuit
2 hrs
Hard track
5.6 km Return
2 hrs 30 mins
Hard track
6.7 km Circuit
3 hrs
Hard track
9 km One way
3 hrs 45 mins
Hard track
10.2 km One way
4 hrs
Hard track
15.5 km One way
6 hrs
Hard track
16.1 km One way
6 hrs 45 mins
Hard track
17.5 km One way
6 hrs 45 mins
Hard track
20.6 km One way
8 hrs
Hard track
22.3 km One way
9 hrs
Hard track
22.6 km One way
9 hrs 18 mins
Hard track
25.8 km One way
2 Days
Hard track
28.1 km One way
2 Days
Hard track
35.9 km One way
2 Days
Hard track
43.1 km One way
3 Days
Hard track
44.4 km One way
3 Days
Hard track
Other Nearby walks
8.6 km One way
3 hrs 45 mins
Hard track
6.5 km One way
2 hrs 30 mins
Hard track
14.7 km One way
5 hrs 30 mins
Hard track
1.4 km Return
30 mins
Moderate track
828 m Return
30 mins
Moderate track
515 m One way
15 mins
Moderate track
6.2 km One way
2 hrs 45 mins
Moderate track
3.4 km One way
1 hr 30 mins
Moderate track
6.1 km One way
2 hrs 30 mins
Hard track
6.6 km Circuit
2 hrs 30 mins
Hard track
619 m One way
30 mins
Moderate track
529 m One way
15 mins
Moderate track
Plan your trip to and from the walk here
The Hornsby to Galston Gorge walk starts at the Hornsby Train Station (gps: -33.703509, 151.09801)Your transport options to Hornsby Train Station are by;
Train. (get details)
Bus. (get details)
Car. There is free parking available.(get details)
The Hornsby to Galston Gorge ends at the Galston Gorge track head (gps: -33.66458, 151.08031)
Your main transport option to Galston Gorge track head is by;
Car. There is free parking available.(get details)
Short URL = http://wild.tl/htgg
Gallery images
There are other downloads I am still working on.
You will probably need to login to access these — still all free.
* KML (google earth file)
* GPX (GPS file)
Special Maps/ brochures
* A3 topo maps
* PDF with Lands Topo map base
* PDF with arial image (and map overlay)
I wanted to get the main site live first, this extra stuff will come in time.
Happy walking
Matt 🙂
Comments