Stringybark Ridge and Zig Zag Creek loop from Thornleigh Station

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2 hrs 30 mins

6.6 km Circuit

187 m

Hard track

A really nice loop walk in a corner of Berowra Valley Regional Park with good access by public transport. The walk starts and finishes at Thornleigh train station. The scenery includes beautiful scenes along Zig Zag creek and nice forest while going up Stringybark ridge, plus as an optional side trip to see the remnants of the historic Thornleigh Quarry and Zig Zag railway. There are good spots to eat or grab a coffee near Thornleigh station before or after the walk.

Along the Stringybark ridge management trail

(0km) Thornleigh Train Station → Morgan Rd

990 m

18 mins

-47m Easy track

From the western (north bound) side of Thornleigh Station[1], this walk follows the 'Jungo Rest Area' sign[2] along the footpath towards the car park and The Esplanade[3]. The walk then heads down a short distance further to turn left and cross 'The Esplanade' at the traffic lights[4], then continue straight along the footpath down along Eddy Rd[5]. Following a couple of GNW arrows[6] down Eddy Rd as it then bends left[7], turning into Tilock St, and shortly later this walk then turns right into Morgan St[8]. Continuing down till just before the end of this street[9][10], this walk comes to an intersection marked with a GNW arrow[11] and the 'Elouera Bushland Natural Park' sign[12] (on the right).

(1km) Morgan Rd → Int of Bike Trail and Morgan Rd tracks

230 m

4 mins

-7m Moderate track

Turn right: From the end of Morgan Street, the walk follows the GNW arrow[13] and the 'Elouera Bushland Natural Park' sign[14] between houses[15] no. 28 and 26. Once behind the houses at a small clearing[16], the track turns left and follows down the rocky side of Zig Zag Creek[17]. Soon after passing behind the third house, the track comes to an intersection with a wide concrete trail[18], where a sign points back along the track to 'Sydney Cove'[19].

(1km) Int of Bellamy trail and Morgan Rd tracks → Zig Zag Creek Bridge int.

130 m

2 mins

-6m Easy track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'The Jungo' arrow[20] downhill along the wide concrete trail for 25m to cross over the culverted creek[21] (with a green rail[22] on one side)

[Trip Hazard]

. The walk continues down into the valley[23] along the concrete trail for another 110m to come to a signposted intersection marked with a 'Great North Walk' sign[24][25] (on your left), just before 'Zig Zag Creek'[26] and the long bridge[27].

(1km) Zig Zag Creek Bridge int → Thornleigh Quarry

160 m

4 mins

15m

-8m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk heads gently downhill to then cross 'Zig Zag Creek'[28] on the 40m long bridge[29] (with handrails) to find the 'Zig Zag Siding' information sign[30][31] on the far side. The bridge path now merges back to the main wide trail[32] and heads steeply uphill[33] for about 50m

[Wheelchair Steep]

(with a handrail on the left side[34]). The trail then mostly flattens out for about 50m and leads gently up to the front of the old 'Thornleigh Quarry'[35], marked with a plaque on a large stone[36][37][38]

[Seat]

. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn sharp right.

Old Thornleigh Quarry

The old Thornleigh Quarry[39] is located beside the Heritage Trail in Thornleigh, within Berowra Valley Regional Park. The quarry dates back to 1883 and was initially a source of 'ballast' for portions of the Sydney (Homebush) to Newcastle (Waratah) rail link. There is a firm, flat dirt track[40] that leads about 40m from the concrete trail to the centre of the old quarry[41]. You will find a series of log seats in this amphitheatre

[Seat]

making this a pleasant spot to sit and enjoy the intriguing mix of nature and history. A book is available with some detail on this quarry and the associated zigzag railway: 'Sydney's Forgotten Quarry Railways' by John Oakes, ISBN 0 9757870 3 9

Thornleigh zigzag railway

The Thornleigh zigzag railway originally ran from the main rail line near Thornleigh to a historic quarry, near present day De Saxe Cl, Thornleigh. There are only minor fragments still visible today. The 'Heritage Trail' in Thornleigh has interpretive signs for the railway and the old Thornleigh Quarry. A book is available with some detail on railway and associated quarry: 'Sydney's Forgotten Quarry Railways' by John Oakes, ISBN 0 9757870 3 9

(1km) Zig Zag Creek Bridge intersection → The Jungo

1.4 km

25 mins

16m

-37m Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Great North Walk' sign[42] along the narrower track, keeping the gully to your right. The pleasant track leads into, then through, the ferny forest[43] with tall trees for about 700m, before crossing a side creek on a timber bridge[44]. The track then continues in a similar manner for another 700m, coming to a large clearing and campsite[45], The Jungo. On the far side of this clearing is a well-signposted intersection with a 'Bellamy Street' sign[46] pointing back through the campsite.

The Jungo

The Jungo is a relatively small clearing and campsite near the junction of Berowra and ZigZag Creeks at a well signposted intersection[47]. There is often water in the creeks (treat well before drinking) but there are no facilities[48]. Speculation on the source of the name 'Jungo' includes the Aussie tendency to abbreviate words ('Junction' gets corrupted to 'jung-o' etc) as well as a possible derivation from one of a few similar sounding aboriginal words.

(3km) The Jungo → Int of Stringybark Ridge trail and Redgum Ave access trail

1.3 km

26 mins

81m

-16m Hard track

Veer left: From 'The Jungo', the walk follows the 'Callicoma Walk' arrow along the management trail which climbs steeply and soon comes to the intersection (with the management trail going up the hill to the left and the red Great North Walk marker pointing straight ahead).
Turn left: From the intersection, the walk follows the management trail up the hill, climbing steeply at times, before turning right at the intersection at the old pony club grounds (marked with a 'Berowra Valley Regional Park' sign). The walk follows the management trail, keeping the cleared grounds to the left, then passes around a gate, and bends to the right in the car park and follows the 'Stringybark Ridge' management trail, arriving an intersection immediately after passing around a gate (with a private property access coming in from the left).

(4km) Int of Stringybark Ridge trail and Redgum Ave access trail → Int of Laurence St and Redgum Ave

160 m

4 mins

-14m Hard track

Veer left: From the intesection, whilst looking away from the locked gate, the walk follows an initially faint bush track, off to the left (east) (avoiding the entry to the 'Private Property' also behind to the left) and comes to the intersection of Laurence St and Redgum Ave.

(4km) Int of Laurence St and Redgum Ave → End of Redgum Ave west

100 m

2 mins

-5m Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection, the walk follows Redgum Ave, keeping the houses to the right, for a short distance, until reaching the end of this section of Redgum Ave.

(4km) End of Redgum Ave west → Int of Redgum Ave and Thorn St

140 m

3 mins

23m

0m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the end of the asphalt, the walk follows a narrow bush track down toward the creek. After crossing the small creek, the walk emerges into a grassy clearing and continues up the hill between the houses, arriving at the intesection of Redgum Ave and Thorn St.

(4km) Int of Redgum Ave and Thorn St → End of Bellamy St

770 m

14 mins

-34m Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows Thorn St, soon passing the intersection with Jackson Cr. At the 'T' intersection of Thorn St and Bellamy St, the walk turns left and continues to the end of Bellamy St .

(5km) End of Bellamy St → Int of Bellamy trail and Morgan Rd tracks

90 m

2 mins

-10m Easy track

Continue straight: From the end of Bellamy St (Pennant Hills), the walk passes around the locked metal gate[49]

[Pinch Point]

and follows the 'To Westleigh' arrow[50] downhill along the concrete management trail. After about 25m this walk leads past a picnic table

[Picnic Table]

[51] (on the left) then over the next 50m this walk continues downhill past the 'Halls Camp' information sign[52], the 'Natures Filter'[53] to come to an intersection with a dirt track (the Great North Walk) marked with an arrow pointing back up to 'Bellamy Street'[54].

(5km) Int of Bike Trail and Morgan Rd tracks → Morgan Rd

230 m

4 mins

-3m Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Sydney Cove' sign[55] along the narrow track away from the wide concrete trail. The track leads behind the house (on your right) following along the rocky side of Zig Zag Creek[56]. After the third house, in a small clearing, the track turns right[57], heading up between the houses[58] a short distance to come to the top of the turning circle[59] at the end of Morgan Road, Thornleigh.

(6km) Morgan Rd → Thornleigh Train Station

990 m

18 mins

47m

-7m Easy track

Turn left: From the end of Morgan Street, this walk heads up along the road[60] to left into 'Tillock Street'[61]. This street soon bends right[62] to become 'Eddy Street'[63] following the footpath[64] and GNW arrows[65] to the top of the hill where there is a set of traffic lights[66]. The walk cross 'The Esplanade' at the lights[67] to then turn right walking past the car park[68], and through a small park[69] to find a large 'Great North Walk' sign[70] at the (north bound) entrance to Thornleigh train station[71].

Maps for the Stringybark Ridge and Zig Zag Creek loop from Thornleigh Station 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 Stringybark Ridge and Zig Zag Creek loop from Thornleigh Station bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Stringybark Ridge and Zig Zag Creek loop from Thornleigh Station

Altitude analysis for Stringybark Ridge and Zig Zag Creek loop from Thornleigh Station

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	6.6 km
		Time	2 hrs 30 mins
		.
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	Minimal directional signs (4/6)
		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)

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

2.8km of this walk is flat with no steps and another 1.6km has short steep hills. Whilst another 1.2km is very steep and the remaining 910m has gentle hills with occasional steps.

Quality of track

4.7km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail and another 1.1km follows a smooth and hardened path. The remaining (750m) follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.

Signs

2.6km of this walk is clearly signposted and another 2.5km has directional signs at most intersection. The remaining (1.4km) has minimal directional signs.

Experience Required

Around 4.5km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 2.1km requires some bushwalking experience.

weather

Around 6km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 140m is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.

Infrastructure

Around 4.4km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 2.2km 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 Stringybark Ridge and Zig Zag Creek loop from Thornleigh Station walk.

Bellamy St to De Saxe Cl dog walking trail

529 m One way, 15 mins

This short walk follows a concrete management trail between Bellamy St and De Saxe Close. This is one of a few dog friendly bushwalks in the Berowra Valley Regional Park. You walk through some beautiful bush with a good array of grass and eucalyptus trees. At the bottom of the valley a bridge spa

Total climbing: 36m

Moderate track

Bellamy fire trail

619 m One way, 30 mins

This walk follows a wide concrete trail through Berowra Valley Regional Park, through lovely bushland and the site of the historic Zig Zag railway. The railway is long gone, but the quarry site is interesting to explore and crossing Zig Zag Creek on the bridge gives a lovely view down on the fern tr

Total climbing: 34m

Moderate track

Stringybark Ridge loop via Bellamy St

4.2 km Circuit, 1 hr 45 mins

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

Hard track

Cherrybrook to Thornleigh

4.4 km One way, 1 hr 45 mins

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

Moderate track

Callicoma Loop

5.1 km Circuit, 2 hrs

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

Hard track

Wareemba Ave to Thornleigh Station

8.6 km One way, 3 hrs 45 mins

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

Hard track

Thornleigh to Hornsby

10.2 km One way, 4 hrs

Starting at Thornleigh station you walk through suburban streets for a short while before diving into the bush at the southern end of Berowra Valley Regional Park. Soon after visiting the site of the historic Zig Zag railway you start wandering through the Berowra Creek valley, passing a few cascadi

Total climbing: 525m

Hard track

Thornleigh to Galston Gorge

15.5 km One way, 6 hrs

This walk follows the Great North Walk above Berowra Creek from Thornleigh to Galston Gorge, on bush tracks and service trails. The Steele Bridge is quite an interesting landmark of the area. Fishponds is a wonderful highlight, it is a lovely water hole surrounded by tall sandstone cliffs. The walk

Total climbing: 768m

Hard track

Epping to Hornsby Station

17.5 km One way, 6 hrs 45 mins

This long day walk follows the Lane Cove River and Berowra Creek. The walk mostly follows the iconic Great North Walk, keeping mostly to bushland. With a train station at each end and a chance to fill the tummy at Thornleigh, this is an enjoyable day out.

Total climbing: 705m

Hard track

Eastwood to Hornsby

20.6 km One way, 8 hrs

Initially following Terry's Creek, and then the Lane Cove River, this walk goes through some of the prettier sections of the Lane Cove National Park before climbing up to Thornleigh and continuing into the Berowra Valley Regional Park. Following Berowra Creek and the side of the valley, the surround

Total climbing: 810m

Hard track

Gordon to Hornsby (overnight at Scout camp)

25.8 km One way, 2 Days

This overnight walk starts from Gordon train station and winds through bush filled valleys to Hornsby station. From Gordon station, the walk winds down past the Gordon golf course to the Great North Walk, then continues north through the Lane Cove Valley before staying overnight at the Baden Powell

Total climbing: 1024m

Hard track

Thornleigh to Mt Kuring-Gai

28.1 km One way, 2 Days

This overnight walk starts from Thornleigh train station and follows the Great North Walk down through the Berowra Valley Regional Park and along Berowra creek. The walk passes through Fishponds and up to the top of Galston Gorge to the campsite. From there, the walk continues along the Great North

Total climbing: 1614m

Hard track

Thornleigh to Cowan

35.9 km One way, 2 Days

Following the Great North Walk and Berowra Creek through Berowra Valley Regional Park, this walk cuts straight through the length of the Park. The views are good, providing a broad idea of what this park has to offer. Conserve your energy for the section between Berowra Waters and Cowan as there are

Total climbing: 2336m

Hard track

Circular Quay to Hornsby

44.4 km One way, 3 Days

This fun walk covers a large section of the Great North Walk, starting from the official start in Circular Quay. After a short ferry trip the walk follows the Lane Cove River through the Lane Cove National Park, to Thornleigh. Here, the walk enters Berowra Valley National Park, continuing along the

Total climbing: 1690m

Hard track

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Stringybark Ridge and Zig Zag Creek loop from Thornleigh Station walk.

Thornleigh to Marsfield

6.1 km One way, 2 hrs 30 mins

Following the Great North Walk, and the upper reaches of the Lane Cove River South, this walk explores dense bushland surrounding the river. You will experience a variety of trails along this walk, from steep bush tracks to wide biketrails. The common feature, however, is how well managed these trai

Total climbing: 106m

Hard track

Pennant Hills Park loop (via Lane Cove River)

8.2 km Circuit, 3 hrs

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.

Total climbing: 233m

Hard track

Mambara Track

717 m Circuit, 20 mins

The Mambara Track is a short walk, accessible to everyone, and a great walk for gaining some knowledge about the local bush. The walk follows a concrete footpath and has many signs with information about the surrounding bush. A great loop walk for the whole family and great introduction to the walki

Total climbing: 23m

Very easy

Callicoma caves

2.5 km Return, 1 hr 30 mins

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

Hard track

Elouera Lookout

828 m Return, 30 mins

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

Moderate track

Blackwattle Close loop

613 m Circuit, 30 mins

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

Moderate track

Cherrybrook to Hornsby via Fishponds

9 km One way, 3 hrs 45 mins

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

Hard track

Cherrybrook to Refuge Rock

4.1 km One way, 1 hr 45 mins

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

Moderate track

The Lakes of Cherrybrook loop

439 m Circuit, 15 mins

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

Moderate track

Blackwattle Trail

2.2 km One way, 1 Hr

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

Moderate track

Whale Rock

516 m Return, 15 mins

This rock formation really does look like a Whale. The walk down from Boundary Rd is the shortest and easiest way to see Whale Rock. The walk follows a management trail the short distance to an intersection where you will find Whale Rock. This walk starts at the end of Boundary Rd in North Epping.

Total climbing: 26m

Moderate track

Belinda Cres to Whale Rock

2.8 km Return, 1 Hr

This walk starts from Belinda Cres and provides a lovely walk to Whale Rock. The walk first passes some exotic plants and then into more native bushland with some interesting canopies and dense growth. Whale Rock, one of the features of this walk, is quite a sight and is well worth exploring. It is

Total climbing: 41m

Moderate track

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Stringybark Ridge and Zig Zag Creek loop from Thornleigh Station walk starts and ends at the Thornleigh Train Station (gps: -33.731949, 151.07815)

Train. (get details)

Bus. (get details)

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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