Hunter Lookout to Glen road loop

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Time 1 Hr
Circuit 2.5 km Circuit
Climb 138 m
Grade 4 Hard track
Car
This loop walk starts from the Hunter Lookout picnic area. The walk provides great views across the valley and winds around the edge of the ridge line, passing Macleans lookout, also with great views. The walk continues along a short section of the Great North Walk, through an open forest to the end of Glen road. From here the walk follows the dirt roads back to the Hunter Lookout.

Hunter Lookout

Hunter Lookout
Hunter Lookout[1] can be found on Bakers Road, along the Great North Walk. This fenced lookout has everything you will need snack-stop, including toilets[2], picnic tables, chairs and wood-fired barbecues[3]. This lookout has fantastic views[4] over much of the Hunter region[5]. In 2010, a series of vandalism attacks occurred on the water tank, so water is no longer available at Hunter Lookout.

(0km) Hunter Lookout picnic area → Macleans Lookout

distance 700 m time 16 mins climb 39m descent -38m Moderate track
From the picnic area, this walk heads north, past the metal gate to the intersection of Bakers Road.
Veer left: From the Hunter Lookout picnic area[6] (on Bakers Road), this walk follows Bakers Road north and gently downhill[7], while keeping Hunter Lookout on your left. The walk continues for about 400m until coming to a Y-intersection[8] (Bakers Road loop).
Continue straight: From the intersection[9] (Bakers Road Loop), this walk follows the track gently uphill[10], while keeping the other end of Bakers Road Loop to your right, gently downhill. The walk follows the road for about 130m until coming to Macleans Lookout[11].

Mcleans Lookout

Mcleans Lookout
McLeans Lookout[12] offers magnificent views of the valleys[13] in Heaton State Forest. Located on Bakers Road, this fenced lookout also has picnic facilities including tables with seats[14] and open grassy areas.

(1km) Maclean Lookout → Int of GNW track AND Glen Road

distance 670 m time 17 mins climb 26m descent -86m Hard track
Veer right: From Mcleans Lookout[15], this walk follows Bakers Road gently downhill, while keeping Macleans Lookout behind you on your left. The walk continues for about 80m until coming to a three-way intersection[16] with a wide track and GNW arrow marker (on the left).
Continue straight: From the intersection[17], this walk follows the trail gently downhill[18], while keeping the 'Heaton Lookout' sign on your right. The walk continues (becoming moderately steep downhill) for about 280m until coming to a three-way intersection[19] with a track on the left.
Turn sharp right: From the intersection[20], this walk follows the track moderately steeply downhill[21], while keeping the GNW arrow marker on your left. The walk continues (descending moderately steeply into[22] and out[23] of a gully) for about 150m, until coming to a three-way intersection, Glen Road[24].

(1km) Int of Great North Walk and Glen Road → Glen Road Rest Area

distance 270 m time 9 mins climb 47m descent 0m Hard track
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Glenn Road' sign[25] up the steep, rocky hill to the top, where it flattens out and comes to a rest area.

(2km) Glen Road Rest Area → Int of Bakers and Glen Roads

distance 560 m time 11 mins climb 25m descent 0m Moderate track
Continue straight: From the rest area, the walk heads west along Glenn Road through an open wooded forest, winding to the intersection of 'Glen Road'[26] and Bakers Road.

(2km) Int of Bakers & Glen Roads → Hunter Lookout picnic area

distance 270 m time 4 mins climb 1m descent -14m Moderate track
Veer right: From the intersection[27], this walk follows Bakers Road gently uphill[28], while keeping Glen Road on your right. The walk continues, undulating gently for about 250m until coming to Hunter Lookout picnic area[29] (on the left).
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads off the road and up the hill following the Hunter Lookout picnic area sign, past the wooden gate and the public toilet, to the picnic area area and the lookout.

Maps for the Hunter Lookout to Glen road loop 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.

Quorrobolong1:25 000 Map Series91322S QUORROBOLONGNSW-91322S
Cessnock1:50 000 Map Series91322 CESSNOCKCW-91322
Cessnock1:100 000 Map Series9132 CESSNOCK9132

Cross sectional view of the Hunter Lookout to Glen road loop bushwalking track

Terrain profile for Hunter Lookout to Glen road loop

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Hunter Lookout to Glen road loop

Altitude analysis for Hunter Lookout to Glen road loop

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.

Length2.5 km
Time1 Hr
.




Grade 4/6



Hard track
AS 2156.1GradientVery steep (4/6)
Quality of trackRough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
SignsMinimal directional signs (4/6)
Experience RequiredModerate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6)
WeatherWeather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
InfrastructureLimited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) (4/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

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

Gradient

1km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 840m is very steep. The remaining (620m) has short steep hills.

Quality of track

1.3km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and another 920m follows a clear and well formed track or trail. The remaining (270m) follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely.

Signs

Around 1.9km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 570m has minimal directional signs.

Experience Required

1.6km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience and another 730m requires some bushwalking experience. The remaining (170m) requires a leader a with moderate level of bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 2.5km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

1.4km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced) and another 570m has limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged). The remaining (530m) 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 Hunter Lookout to Glen road loop walk.

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Hunter Lookout to Glen road loop walk.

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Hunter Lookout to Glen road loop walk starts and ends at the Hunter Lookout picnic area (gps: -32.962577, 151.41383)

Weather Forecast

This walk starts in the Hunter weather district.

Current Alerts

Park Information

Heaton State Forest

Boardering Watagan national Park, Heaton State forest is home to many great lookouts. There sre many highpoints with cliff edges giving great views across the Hunter valley and Lake Macquarie.

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