Refuge Rock and Natural Arch

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Time 30 mins
Return 1.4 km Return
Climb 38 m
Grade 3 Moderate track
Bus Car
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A very nice walk through a small part of the Berowra Valley Regional Park. The extensive rock platforms of Refuge Rock make a beautiful place to relax and explore. The optional side trip to see the natural rock arch is well worth it, adding some really beautiful scenery to the walk. Another great bushland walk in the midst of the suburbs.
After the fires Nice forest on the way to Refuge Rock Rocks by the trail Views along the way Textures at Refuge Rock Mortar shell impact at Refuge Rock Moss growth at Refuge Rock Extensive rock platforms Interesting rock textures A narrow chasm in the rock Under the natural arch The natural rock arch

(0km) End of Trevors Ln → Refuge Rock

distance 690 m time 13 mins climb 14m descent -24m Moderate track
From the end of Trevors Ln, Cherrybrook, the walk passes the 'Berowra Valley Regional Park' sign and follows the management trail beside the houses. The walk almost immediately passes around a gate and arrives at an intersection with another management trail.
Turn left: From the intersection, the walk follows the management trail, directly away from the houses. After a short distance, the trail reaches an intersection with another management trail, signposted '92A/92B ...'.
Veer left: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'ST22/23' arrow, going gently up the hill, along the management trail. After a very short distance, the trail passes under some high voltage powerlines and immediately reaches an intersection with a bush track, to the right, and management trail, to the left.
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the management trail away from the high voltage powerlines, leaving the visible tower to the left. The trail descends gently, through pleasant forest (ignoring an unmarked bush track to the right) and reaches an intersection with another management trail, signposted '92A 92B/16'.
Veer right: From the intersection, the walk follows the level management trail, leaving the '92A 92B/16' signpost behind on the left. After a short distance, the trail passes a clearing, to the left, and descends for a while before arriving at a large, flat rock outcrop, the western edge of 'Refuge Rock'.

Refuge Rock

Refuge Rock
Refuge Rock is a large area of rock outcrops and platforms, at the end of the Refuge Rock walk near Cherrybrook. This area has a great atmosphere and is a nice spot to explore or relax, close to the suburbs, but feeling a million miles from it. The various rock platforms extend for hundreds of metres in all directions. At the far south-east edge of Refuge Rock is a natural arch, know as 'London Bridge'. Refuge Rock was used as a target area during military training around WWII. There are a number of visible marks in the rock surface from mortar shells. More info.

(1km) Refuge Rock → Natural Arch

distance 300 m time 6 mins climb 4m descent -21m Hard track
Turn right: From the western edge of Refuge Rock (where the management trail arrives), the walk heads south, across the rock outcrop toward a well defined bush track. Some parts of this section are a little difficult to follow as the track becomes faint in places. The walk then follows the bush track as it crosses another large rock outcrop (becoming faint at times) and bends to the left just before the end of the outcrop. The track is more distinct again here as it winds down through a gully, ignoring a bush track to the right, to climb over a rounded ridge of rock. The track continues a little further before reaching an intersection at the top of a small cliff line.
Veer left: From the intersection, the walk drops into the first of two very prominent slots in the rock platform to the north-east (beside a banksia tree). The walk follows this slot to the edge of the rock platform then bends around to the right to enter the next slot (closer to the cliff line). The walk drops through this very narrow slot to emerge at the base of the very cool natural arch. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Continue straight.

Natural Arch

Natural Arch
This natural arch, known locally as 'London Bridge' is at the south-eastern edge of Refuge Rock, near Cherrybrook. The arch is formed below a long, narrow block of rock at the edge of a larger rock platform. To see the arch, you walk down through the narrow chasms separating the block from the rock platform, to emerge underneath the arch. The arch itself, and the area around it is beautiful. More info.

Maps for the Refuge Rock and Natural Arch 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.

Hornsby1:25 000 Map Series91304S HORNSBYNSW-91304S
Sydney1:100 000 Map Series9130 SYDNEY9130

Cross sectional view of the Refuge Rock and Natural Arch bushwalking track

Terrain profile for Refuge Rock and Natural Arch

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Refuge Rock and Natural Arch

Altitude analysis for Refuge Rock and Natural Arch

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.

Length1.4 km
Time30 mins
.




Grade 3/6



Moderate track		AS 2156.1GradientGentle hills with occasional steps (2/6)
Quality of trackClear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
SignsDirectional signs along the way (3/6)
Experience RequiredNo experience required (1/6)
WeatherWeather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
InfrastructureLimited 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

This whole walk, 690m has gentle hills with occasional steps.

Quality of track

This whole walk, 690m follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs

This whole walk, 690m has directional signs at most intersection.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 690m requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 690m is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

This whole walk, 690m has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Refuge Rock and Natural Arch walk.

Cherrybrook to Refuge Rock

4.1 km One way, 1 hr 45 mins

Cherrybrook to Refuge Rock

A nice walk around the fringes of Cherrybrook plus the interesting and atmospheric Refuge Rock. The optional sidetrip to the natural rock arch adds some beautiful scenery to the walk. The walk passes through an interesting mixture of moist creek side scenery and drier forest before reaching Refuge R

Total climbing: 147m

Grade 3
  • Car
  • Bus

Moderate track

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Refuge Rock and Natural Arch walk.

Daphne Place dog walking trail

515 m One way, 15 mins

Daphne Place dog walking trail

This is a pleasant dog-friendly walk, passing through some nice bush on the fringe of Cherrybrook. Despite being within the Berowra Valley Regional Park, this is an 'Authorised On-Lead Dog Walking Track'. The walk starts at the end of Daphne Pl, Cherrybrook and can be done as a one-way walk, finishi

Total climbing: 35m

Grade 3
  • Car
  • Bus

Moderate track

Elouera Lookout

828 m Return, 30 mins

Elouera Lookout

A short walk to a beautiful lookout with views over the Berowra Creek valley, near Westleigh. This is a short and interesting walk to one on those really beautiful pockets of bush in the middle of the suburbs. The lookout is in the Berowra Valley Regional Park and also on the Great North Walk.

Total climbing: 44m

Grade 3
  • Car
  • Bus

Moderate track

Wareemba Ave to Thornleigh Station

8.6 km One way, 3 hrs 45 mins

Wareemba Ave to Thornleigh Station

This pleasant half day walk starts from Wareemba Avenue in Thornleigh and winds down into the valley along service trails and bush tracks. The walk then follows a section of the Blue Gum Walk to the Great North Walk. From here the walk follows the Great North Walk to Thornleigh train station. Along

Total climbing: 472m

Grade 4
  • Car
  • Bus
  • Train

Hard track

Blackwattle Close loop

613 m Circuit, 30 mins

Blackwattle Close loop

This is a pleasant loop walk, close to Cherrybrook. The walk crosses Disturbed Creek (not officially named) a couple of times and includes some nice scenery along the creek with ferns, grasstrees and eucalypt forest.

Total climbing: 23m

Grade 3
  • Car
  • Bus

Moderate track

Blackwattle Trail

2.2 km One way, 1 Hr

Blackwattle Trail

This walk follows the Blackwattle Trail around the fringe of Cherrybrook, starting at the Cherrybrook Rural Fire Brigade building, in Shepherds Drive, and finishing in Patricia Place. It is a nice walk and follows a management trail for its whole length. The walk passes through a mix of dry eucalypt

Total climbing: 98m

Grade 3
  • Car
  • Bus

Moderate track

Callicoma Loop

5.1 km Circuit, 2 hrs

Callicoma Loop

This great circuit walk passes through some really nice forest around the fringe of Cherrybrook. Highlights of the walk include some beautiful rock overhangs at the 'Callicoma Caves', and the atmospheric 'Coachwood Grotto'. The walk starts and finishes at the pleasant Lakes of Cherrybrook park.

Total climbing: 153m

Grade 4
  • Car
  • Bus

Hard track

Cherrybrook to Hornsby via Fishponds

9 km One way, 3 hrs 45 mins

Cherrybrook to Hornsby via Fishponds

A beautiful walk through the Berowra Valley Regional Park. The walk mostly follows the Great North Walk, between Cherrybrook and Hornsby. There are some fantastic lookouts along the way and some excellent scenery along Berowra creek, including the 'Fishponds'. The start and end of the walk are close

Total climbing: 536m

Grade 4
  • Car
  • Bus
  • Train

Hard track

Cherrybrook to Thornleigh

4.4 km One way, 1 hr 45 mins

Cherrybrook to Thornleigh

This walk is mostly within the Berowra Valley Regional Park. It has some beautiful sections with great scenery, including sandstone rock features, lots of ferns and great scenery along Zig Zag creek. There is an optional side trip to visit the remnants of the historic Thornleigh Quarry and Zig Zag r

Total climbing: 128m

Grade 3
  • Car
  • Bus
  • Train

Moderate track

The Lakes of Cherrybrook loop

439 m Circuit, 15 mins

The Lakes of Cherrybrook loop

This short, pleasant loop walk is a nice one to do if you are having a picnic in the Lakes of Cherrybrook park, enjoying the atmosphere, free electric BBQs and playground. There is a good viewing platform extending onto the lake and there are usually ducks to be seen. The nearby shopping centre has

Total climbing: 10m

Grade 3
  • Car
  • Bus

Moderate track

Blue Gum Walk (Joe's Mountain Circuit)

4.2 km Circuit, 2 hrs

Blue Gum Walk (Joe's Mountain Circuit)

This is an enjoyable circuit walk that allows you to explore this rare pocket of Sydney Blue Gum forest. You will follow a signposted track across a few creeks and alongside Waitara Creek, with a few cascades. There are many small sandstone caves and a great diversity in plant life along the way. S

Total climbing: 231m

Grade 4
  • Car
  • Bus

Hard track

Stringybark Ridge loop via Bellamy St

4.2 km Circuit, 1 hr 45 mins

Stringybark Ridge loop via Bellamy St

A really nice loop walk in a corner of Berowra Valley Regional Park. The walk starts and finishes at the end of Schofield Pde, Pennant Hills. The scenery includes nice forest while going down Stringybark ridge and beautiful scenes along Zig Zag creek, as well as an optional side trip to see the remn

Total climbing: 123m

Grade 4
  • Car

Hard track

Callicoma caves

2.5 km Return, 1 hr 30 mins

Callicoma caves

This walk provides a beautiful mixture of scenery, including rainforest-like sections along the creek, as well as drier forest with grass trees and beautiful sandstone overhangs. The walk starts on Francis Greenway Dr and follows part of the Callicoma Walk. There are two main points of interest on t

Total climbing: 86m

Grade 4
  • Car
  • Bus

Hard track

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Refuge Rock and Natural Arch walk starts and ends at the End of Trevors Ln (gps: -33.708264, 151.05772)

bus Bus. (get details) car Car. There is free parking available.<br /> (get details)

Weather Forecast

This walk starts in the Metropolitan weather district.

Current Alerts

Park Information

Berowra Valley National Park

Following the Berowra Creek the Berowra Valley National Park is located on the Hornsby Plateau and is made up of typical Hawkesbury Sandstone. The great North walk, Benowie walking track, and many other great walks stretch spann this park. The area has varied vegetation including many different sorts of Eucalyptus and plenty of native animals, includingl swamp wallibies, water dragons, bandicoots, Lyre Birds, and bush turkeys. There are several campsites within the Park, and Crosslands Reserve is also a popular spot near the middle of the park.

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