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Cascades Track, return from St Ives

Download & Print Map and Notes

1 hr 30 mins

3.5 km Return

171 m

Moderate track
This walk explores part of the northern section of Garigal National Park and the upper reaches of Middle Harbour Creek. The walk follows a service trail from Douglas Street, St Ives, to cross Middle Harbour Creek, then explores a large rock platform with the Cascades. The cascades themselves are not huge, but the rock platform, rock pools, and the cascades combine to form a great place to explore and have a snack before the return journey.

Maps for the Cascades Track, return from St Ives 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 Cascades Track, return from St Ives bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Cascades Track, return from St Ives

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 3.5 km
Time 1 hr 30 mins
.




Grade 3/6



Moderate track 		AS 2156.1 Gradient Short steep hills (3/6)
Quality of track Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
Signs Clearly signposted (1/6)
Experience Required No experience required (1/6)
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

Around 1.6km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps, whilst the remaining 90m has short steep hills.

Quality of track

This whole walk, 1.7km follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs

This whole walk, 1.7km is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 1.7km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 1.7km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

Around 1.7km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 65m is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Cascades Track, return from St Ives walk.
The Cascades Track (St Ives to Davidson)
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This walk explores a section of Garigal National Park from St Ives following service trails through the forest and into the valley. The cascades, from which this track derives its name, are at the junction of Middle Harbour and Frenchs creeks. After taking time to explore the rock platform, this walk continues along service trail to Stone Pde, Davidson.

Total climbing: 117m

3.2 km One way
1 hr 30 mins

Moderate track

The Cambourne Loop
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This pleasant walk starts in the outskirts of St Ives and follows several tracks to explore a section of the Garigal National Park. The walk follows the Upper Cambourne Track down into Garigal National Park, then the Lower Cambourne Track into the valley, and the Bare Creek Track, through the forest. The walk then follows the Cascades Track to climb out of the valley. There is an optional side trip to the Cascades.

Total climbing: 204m

4.4 km Circuit
2 hrs

Moderate track

Quarry Rd Track
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Starting at Cambourne Ave, St Ives, this walks explores the ridges and valleys of the upper reaches of the Middle Harbour Creek in Garigal National Park. The walk follows service trails, and crosses several creeks along the way. The Lower Cambourne waterhole is a great spot to rest and enjoy a snack whilst enjoying the peace and quiet.

Total climbing: 245m

5.5 km One way
2 hrs 15 mins

Hard track

The Bare Creek Track
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This pleasant return walk starts from the outskirts of Belrose and follows the management trails through Garigal National Park to the bottom of the valley and along Bare Creek to the cascades. The cascades are a good place for a break before returning along the same route.

Total climbing: 265m

8.2 km Return
3 hrs 15 mins

Moderate track

Davidson Park to St Ives Chase
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This walk, between Davidson Park and Warrimoo Ave, is a fantastic harbour side trip. The focus for the walk is the waterway views, scattered throughout. This walk is a great way to explore the valley between the suburbs and the interesting, diverse flora it contains.

Total climbing: 591m

14.1 km One way
5 hrs 30 mins

Moderate track


Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Cascades Track, return from St Ives walk.
Bungaroo Track
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This walk explores a section of bush between Hunter Ave, St Ives, and Middle Harbour Creek. The walk follows a reasonably well defined bush track, passing several rocky outcrops with views across the valley. The walk is named after Bungaroo, a spot of Middle Harbour creek which was described by the first Governor of NSW when he and his party were exploring this area for farmland. Follow these historic footsteps and explore a piece of wonderful bushland.

Total climbing: 237m

3.6 km Return
1 hr 30 mins

Hard track

Founders Way
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This return walk starts at the Founders Way track head, in St Ives, and follows the pipeline through the National Park. The walk heads down into the valley where it comes to the Middle Harbour Creek pipe bridge. There is a short, optional side trip along the Bungaroo Track to the stepping stones crossing the creek.

Total climbing: 137m

3 km Return
1 hr 30 mins

Moderate track

Bungaroo and Founders Way Loop
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This circuit walk starts at Founders Way and follows the Bungaroo bush track through the national park to Middle Harbour Creek. There is an optional side trip to the creek crossing before returning, via the pipe bridge and the Pipeline Track. Along the Bungaroo Track there are plenty of opportunities to stop and take in the great forest like surroundings, in what is a tiny portion of the Garigal National Park.

Total climbing: 190m

3.5 km Circuit
1 hr 30 mins

Hard track

Darri and Warrimoo Tracks to Bobbin head
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This pleasant walk starts in North Turramurra and follows the Darri and Warrimoo tracks into the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. The walk follows the picturesque Cowan Creek through one of the most serene parts of the park, and finishes at Bobbin Head, a great place to enjoy the cafe or have a picnic lunch.

Total climbing: 457m

9.4 km One way
4 hrs 15 mins

Moderate track

Darri and Warrimoo Tracks to Mt Kuring-gai
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Starting in North Turramurra, this walk follows the Darri and Warrimoo Tracks through Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park and down along the picturesque Cowan Creek. Bobbin Head makes a great spot to take a break and have some lunch at the cafe, kiosk or picnic area. From Bobbin Head, the track continues through Apple Tree Bay, following Cowan Creek for a little while before climbing up and out of the valley to Mt Kuring-gai station.

Total climbing: 852m

14.6 km One way
6 hrs 30 mins

Hard track

Darri and Warrimoo to the Sphinx Memorial
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This nice walk starts from North Turramurra and follows the Darri and Warrimoo tracks into Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. The walk follows Cowan Creek through the lush green forest, then takes the Sphinx Track, climbing out of the valley to the war memorial, finishing on Bobbin Head Road.

Total climbing: 366m

6.6 km One way
2 hrs 45 mins

Moderate track

Darri Track
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Named after the traditional owners, the Darri People, this track starts at Bedford Ave, Turramurra. The track follows a narrow piece of bushland along the upper reaches of Cowan Creek, into Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park. The official Darri track finishes at the intersection with Warrimoo track, however this walk continues back to Warrimoo Rd.

Total climbing: 200m

4.2 km One way
1 hr 45 mins

Moderate track

Cascades Track (from Davidson)
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This pleasant, return walk starts in Davidson and follows the Cascades Track along the management trails as it winds down into the valley. In the main valley, the walk comes to the Cascades just upstream of the Frenchs and Middle Harbour Creeks junction. The Cascades are surrounded by rock platforms, which make the perfect vantage points to stop and enjoy a picnic lunch.

Total climbing: 119m

3 km Return
1 hr 15 mins

Moderate track

Davidson Exploration
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This walk partially circumnavigates the suburb of Davidson. Starting on Stone Pde, the walk follows the cascades track down to Middle Harbour Creek and follows the creek downstream to the pipeline. The walk finishes with an uphill slog, following the pipeline, to John Oxley Drive.

Total climbing: 243m

5.8 km One way
2 hrs 30 mins

Hard track

St Ives to Davidson Park via Casuarina Track
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This walk starts in St Ives and follows the Pipeline and Bungaroo tracks down to Middle Harbour Creek, crossing the creek at the stepping stones and continuing to Davidson Picnic area. Much of this walk follows Middle Harbour Creek, providing great water views and passing some interesting sandstone caves along the way. The Davidson park picnic area is a great place for a rest and play after this walk.

Total climbing: 399m

9 km One way
4 hrs

Hard track

The Pipeline Track
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This walk explores the bush from St Ives, and follows the pipeline down the the banks of Middle Harbour. There are a few steep sections in the second half of the walk. This walk is an interesting way to get into the heart of Garigal National Park following the Founders track.

Total climbing: 206m

4.7 km Return
2 hrs

Moderate track

The Pipeline Way
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This pleasant walk follows the pipeline, from Hunter Avenue in St Ives, to John Oxley Drive, Davidson. The walk follows the pipeline down into the valley and crosses Middle Harbour Creek (via a quick upstream detour to the Bungaroo Track crossing) before climbing out of the valley to John Oxley Drive.

Total climbing: 213m

4.7 km One way
2 hrs 15 mins

Hard track


Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Cascades Track, return from St Ives walk starts and ends at the Int of Douglas Street and Cascades service trail (gps: -33.725738, 151.17793)
Your transport options to Int of Douglas Street and Cascades service trail are by;
Bus. (get details)
Car. There is free parking available.
(get details)



Fire Danger

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 Forest

This walk starts in the Metropolitan weather district always check the formal BOM forecast or pdf before starting your walk.

Forecast snapshot

Park Information & Alerts

Comments

 


Download Pdf

Open iPhone app

Short URL = http://wild.tl/ct


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 🙂