The Bare Creek Track

Download & Print Map and Notes

3 hrs 15 mins

8.2 km Return

265 m

Moderate track

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.

(0km) Ralston Ave → Int of the Heath and Ralston Ave service trails

190 m

3 mins

-1m Moderate track

From the intersection (on Ralston Ave, approximately 260 metres west of the intersection with Elm Ave), this walk follows the management trail past the large repeater tower(right) and house (left). The trail then bends to the left and continues through the bush to the signposted intersection with the 'Heath Trail'[1] (to the right).

(0km) Int of the Heath and Ralston Ave service trails → Int of Quarry Road and Bare Creek Tracks

2.2 km

48 mins

18m

-135m Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Heath Trail' sign[2]. The walk heads down the hill along the management trail, passing a metal gate and 'Garigal National Park' sign[3]. The walk continues along the trail for quite some time, passing a number of short power line maintenance trails as it winds through the bush. At the bottom of the valley, the trail runs parallel to a creek for a short while before coming to an intersection with a trail (which heads down across the creek, on the right).

(2km) Int of Quarry Road and Bare Creek Tracks → Int of Bare Creek and Lower Cambourne service trails

240 m

4 mins

-5m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the management trail, keeping Bare Creek on the right and the ground sloping up to the left. Soon, the walk comes to an intersection with a bush track.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the management trail up the hill, to the intersection with another management trail on the right.

(3km) Int of Bare Creek and Lower Cambourne service trails → Int of Bare Creek and Cascades service trails

1.1 km

24 mins

33m

-48m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the management trail over the crest of the hill and down the other side, with the ground sloping up to the left. The track continues through the bush for a long while, descending a little every now and then, until it turns down to the right and crosses the creek, continuing up the other side to the intersection with the link track (which climbs up the rocky hill).
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the management trail away from the creek, with the ground sloping up to the right. It soon comes to the intersection with the Cascades management trail (where there is a 'Bare Creek Track' sign).

(4km) Int of Bare Creek and Cascades service trails → The Cascades

300 m

5 mins

-14m Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Cascades Track' arrow along the service trail, heading down the hill and across a creek, continuing up the other side as the track winds through the bush for a short while before crossing a creek and coming to the cascades.

The Cascades

The Cascades are a series of small cascades (little waterfalls) in Garigal National Park. The cascades centre around a large rock platform on Middle Harbour Creek and are found in the northern section of the park, at the intersection of the Middle Harbour and Cascade Tracks. The cascades make a great spot to sit and rest when exploring the area.

Maps for the The Bare Creek Track 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 The Bare Creek Track bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the The Bare Creek Track

Altitude analysis for The Bare Creek Track

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	8.2 km
		Time	3 hrs 15 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	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

2.2km of this walk has short steep hills and another 1.4km has gentle hills with occasional steps. The remaining (470m) is flat with no steps.

Quality of track

This whole walk, 4.1km follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs

Around 3.7km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 390m is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

Around 2.2km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 1.9km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 4.1km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

Around 2.4km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 1.7km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the The Bare Creek Track walk.

The Cascades Track (St Ives to Davidson)

3.2 km One way, 1 hr 30 mins

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 w

Total climbing: 117m

Moderate track

Cascades Track, return from St Ives

3.5 km Return, 1 hr 30 mins

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 n

Total climbing: 171m

Moderate track

The Cambourne Loop

4.4 km Circuit, 2 hrs

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

Total climbing: 204m

Moderate track

Quarry Rd Track

5.5 km One way, 2 hrs 15 mins

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 sna

Total climbing: 245m

Hard track

Davidson Park to St Ives Chase

14.1 km One way, 5 hrs 30 mins

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

Moderate track

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the The Bare Creek Track walk.

Cascades Track (from Davidson)

3 km Return, 1 hr 15 mins

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 platform

Total climbing: 119m

Moderate track

Davidson Exploration

5.8 km One way, 2 hrs 30 mins

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

Hard track

Davidson Track

2 km Return, 1 hr 15 mins

This walk starts at John Oxley Drive, and is popular with people working on their fitness. The walk follows a service trail which is initially dirt, but is sealed for most of the way, as it follows the pipeline steeply down to Middle Harbour Creek. Enjoy the view from the bank of the creek before

Total climbing: 132m

Hard track

Davidson Track to Carroll Creek and Ferguson St

3.8 km One way, 1 hr 30 mins

Starting from John Oxley Drive, Davidson, this walk descends steeply into Garigal National Park, along a wide asphalt service trail. The walk follows a lovely bush track along the eastern bank of Middle Harbour creek before following Carroll Creek up to the end of Ferguson St, Forestville. There are

Total climbing: 128m

Hard track

Bungaroo Track

3.6 km Return, 1 hr 30 mins

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 th

Total climbing: 237m

Hard track

Founders Way

3 km Return, 1 hr 30 mins

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 cr

Total climbing: 137m

Moderate track

Bungaroo and Founders Way Loop

3.5 km Circuit, 1 hr 30 mins

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 opportuniti

Total climbing: 190m

Hard track

East Killara Bushtrack

2.6 km One way, 1 hr 15 mins

This walk explores a section of Middle Harbour and Gordon Creek following a narrow bush track. The walk provides some great views across Middle Harbour Creek and the bushland of the area. This walk also gets close to the mangroves along Middle Harbour creek. With the right tide, these mangroves can

Total climbing: 133m

Hard track

Governor Phillip Walk

7 km Return, 3 hrs 45 mins

Named in honour of NSW's first Governor, this walk follows in the footsteps of his 1788 expedition to find farm land. The walk starts at the end of Ferguson St, Forestville. Passing the NPWS office and depot, the walk then follows Carroll Creek down to the official start of the Governor Phillip Wa

Total climbing: 222m

Moderate track

St Ives to Davidson Park via Casuarina Track

9 km One way, 4 hrs

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

Total climbing: 399m

Hard track

The Pipeline Track

4.7 km Return, 2 hrs

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

Moderate track

The Pipeline Way

4.7 km One way, 2 hrs 15 mins

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 Driv

Total climbing: 213m

Hard track

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The The Bare Creek Track walk starts and ends at the Ralston Ave (gps: -33.727169, 151.20554)

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

Garigal National Park

Largely following Middle Harbour Creek and stretching from Seaforth in the south to St Ives in the north Garigal National Park is hidden through Sydney's Northern suburbs. Despite how close it is to large urban centres Garigal is quite beautiful with lots of different walking and cycling tracks. For those just wishing to picnic Davidson Reserve is a great spot just next to Middle Harbour Creek, under the Roseville Bridge.

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