Ridge Trail loop

Download & Print Map and Notes

30 mins

962 m Circuit

48 m

Moderate track

The Ridge Trail loop is a short walk starting from Honeman's Picnic Area and follows the signposted Ridge Trail until finding Split Rock management trail. Here, you turn sharply right to head back to the picnic area along this wider trail. There are limited views along this walk, but it still makes for a nice stroll through the bush.

Walking down the road from the mud brick building

Walking up to the Ridge Trail track head

Walking among the trees at the top of the ridge

Rocky section of track on the Ridge Trail

Int of Ridge trail and split rock management trail

Walking along split rock management trail

Uphill on the split rock management trail

Boulders near the start of split rock trail

Gate and rock at the start of split rock trail

Rock platform at the start of split rock trail

Looking across Honeman's Rock to the Mud Brick Building

Honeman's Rock picnic area

Honeman's Rock picnic area is a large picnic area at the top end of Island View Drive. This picnic area has a couple of large grassy areas[1], composting toilets[2], free electric BBQs[3], picnic tables[4], shelters, garbage bins[5], drinking water[6] and information signs[7]. The picnic area is home to a mud brick building[8] (available for hire) and Honeman's Rock[9], from which the area derives its name. There is a fair amount of parking available next the picnic area, and some extra spaces a few hundred meters down the road.

Mud Brick Building

The mud brick building is a landmark in the main picnic area at Kincumber Mountain, and is a popular spot to gather. Also known as 'Kincumber Mountain Information Centre', 'The Kiosk', 'Kincumber Kiosk' and 'Kincumber Mountain Kiosk', the building was constructed in 1986 with funding from Community Employment Programme. The building is generally locked but can be booked through the local Lions Club for special events. The building has a rain water tank, small kitchen and one main large room. The verandah also provides good shelter.

(0km) Mudbrick building car park → Start of Ridge trail

60 m

1 mins

-3m Very easy

From the car park next to the mud brick building, this walk heads downhill beside the road against the flow of traffic. The road bends left and comes to a 'T' intersection, where this walk turns left and heads up the road (past the 'No Entry' road sign[12]) for about 20m, coming to the intersection with the signposted 'Ridge Trail'[13] (on the right).

(0km) Start of Ridge trail → Int of Ridge trail and split rock management trail

410 m

8 mins

-41m Moderate track

Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Ridge Trail 1500m' sign[14] away from the road and picnic area. The track soon leads over a rock platform and down the steps. The track then follows the ridge, passing close to a management trail (on the right) a couple of times and down a series of timber steps. The track leads down through some rocks and, just after this, comes to an intersection at the end of the management trail in a sandy clearing.

(0km) Int of Ridge trail and split rock management trail → Honeman's Rock

440 m

10 mins

37m

-4m Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the management trail north, gently downhill (keeping the Ridge Track on the right). The walk enjoys some filtered views to the left before starting to climb gently up the hill and passing very close to the Ridge Track a couple of times (on the right). The trail soon comes to and passes some large split rock boulders then rounds a locked gate. From here, the walk heads up the hill then crosses the road and rounds another locked gate, coming to the southern end of Honeman's Rock (with the mud brick building up the hill to the right).

Honeman's Rock

Honeman's Rock (aka Honeyman's Rock) is a large rock outcrop in front of the mud brick building, in the Honeman's Rock Picnic area. The exposed section of rock is 60m long and about 30m wide, with the western side having a significant unfenced drop. The rock is named after Cecil Lyle Honeman who became a lease holder on the mountain in 1962. The rock has a large depression that once filled with water, and a drain has been dug to keep the pool empty and clear of rubbish.

(1km) Honeman's Rock → Mudbrick building car park

60 m

2 mins

0m Easy track

Turn right: From Honeman's rock, this walk heads up the hill over the grassy clearing to the front of the mud brick building and the car park on the right.

Maps for the Ridge Trail 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.

Gosford	1:25 000 Map Series	91312S GOSFORD	NSW-91312S
Gosford	1:100 000 Map Series	9131 GOSFORD	9131

Cross sectional view of the Ridge Trail loop bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Ridge Trail 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.

		Length	962 m
		Time	30 mins
		.
Grade 3/6 Moderate track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
		Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
		Signs	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
		Experience Required	No experience required (1/6)
		Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
		Infrastructure	Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

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

Gradient

500m of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 410m has short steep hills. The remaining (55m) is flat with no steps.

Quality of track

500m of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail and another 410m follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles. The remaining (55m) follows a smooth and hardened path.

Signs

Around 850m of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 120m is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 960m requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 960m is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

This whole walk, 960m 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 Ridge Trail loop walk.

Glasson's Trail

1.7 km One way, 1 Hr

Glasson's Trail starts near the main entrance to Kincumber Mountain Reserve and follows a series of management trails and tracks up to the main picnic area. The walk offers a great way to explore the diverse vegetation and visiting some interesting rock formations. The walk is signposted and cross

Total climbing: 158m

Moderate track

Kincumber to Terrigal (via Glasson's Trl)

4.5 km One way, 2 hrs

This walk explores the main highlights of Kincumber Mountain Regional Reserve. Starting on the Glasson's trail, the walk explores a variety of forests along the way to Honeman's Rock and picnic area. After a rest, you visit a large cave on Kanning Walk and continue to the views at Colin Watters Look

Total climbing: 220m

Hard track

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Ridge Trail loop walk.

Kanning Cave Walk

922 m Return, 20 mins

This short walk follows a clear track to a large sandstone cave on the Kanning Walk. From the Honeman's Picnic Area, follow Kanning Walk through the bush and along the side of a long rock wall. There are several caves along the way, the main one being quiet large and tucked behind some large boulder

Total climbing: 34m

Easy track

Kanning Walk

1.3 km Circuit, 30 mins

This lovely walk is a great way to explore the bushland at the top of Kincumber Mountain. From near the main picnic area, you follow a clear track before walking along the base of a long rock wall. There are a few sandstone caves, the main one mentioned in the notes is quite large, and a nice cool

Total climbing: 38m

Easy track

Yanina Walk

3.2 km Return, 1 hr 15 mins

Yanina Walk is a gentle walk, exploring one of the ridges at the top of Kincumber Mountain. The walk follows a wide management trail from the main Honemans Picnic area, leading to the good views of Colin Watters Lookout. The notes describe a side trip to Nyari Lookout, but the views are very limite

Total climbing: 55m

Easy track

Sid Pulsford Walk

4.1 km One way, 1 hr 45 mins

Sid Pulsford Walk explores the ridge top of Kincumber Mountain, from Honeman's Rock to Green Point. The walk mostly follows wide management trails. Halfway along the walk, you will find the By-Pass lookout and rest area, providing good views and a great place to rest. The walk leads past the water r

Total climbing: 118m

Hard track

Warriwarri Lookout

1.5 km Return, 30 mins

This short and fairly flat walk starts from the popular Honeman's picnic area and follows the Sid Pulsford Walking Track, then another trail to Warriwarri Lookout. The lookout is overgrown and provides no real view. A short distance beyond the signposted lookout is a rocky outcrop that provides some

Total climbing: 34m

Easy track

Warri Warri Track (via Warriwarri Lookout)

1.5 km One way, 45 mins

Starting on Bembooka Rd in Erina, this walk heads up the narrow Warri Warri track to Honeman's picnic area. You will visit the overgrown Warriwarri Lookout about halfway along this walk, but do not expect grand views! From the lookout, the walk follows wider trails along the much flatter ridge top t

Total climbing: 147m

Hard track

Sandringham Circuit

2.9 km Circuit, 1 hr 30 mins

Starting from Sandringham Close, this walk follows the Sandringham Track up the hill to the views from Colin Watters Lookout. After enjoying the views, you walk past the tower to the other side of the hill to the much less spectacular Nyari Lookout. From here, you follow a wide management trail dow

Total climbing: 201m

Hard track

Sandringham Track

2.2 km Return, 1 hr 15 mins

This walk starts from Terrigal suburbia and leads up through the dry bush to the wonderful views at Colin Watters Lookout. On the way, you pass some large boulders scattered with red gums and grass trees. At the top, you will be greeted with good views over Avoca, and a picnic table encouraging you

Total climbing: 149m

Hard track

Katandra Reserve Explorer

5.3 km Circuit, 2 hrs 45 mins

This walk is a great way to explore the many highlights of Katandra Reserve. Starting at the lower picnic area, you circumnavigate Seymour Pond via the Waterman Walk, then discover some wonderful Strangler Fig trees in the rainforest. As the walk climbs, the forest dries out a little, which opens u

Total climbing: 350m

Moderate track

Matcham to Gosford

8.5 km One way, 3 hrs 45 mins

This walk starts at the bottom of Katandra Reserve and heads up the hill, exploring the ridge on the way to Gosford Station. You will visit a wide variety of plant communities and some lovely vistas over the surrounding towns and water. Along some of the secluded sections, you may forget that you

Total climbing: 381m

Hard track

Strangler Fig Walk

2 km Return, 1 Hr

Starting from the Katandra Rd Picnic Area, you will head past Seymour Pond and along Toomey Walk to the Strangler Fig platform. You will see two magnificent examples of Strangler Fig trees - one growing on a large rock and the other forming a knotted tubular structure. A lovely walk through the den

Total climbing: 96m

Moderate track

Seymour Pond

890 m Return, 30 mins

This short walk takes you from the Katandra Rd Picnic Area to Seymour Pond. The pond was made to support a farm that was once in the area, and now the pond support many water birds. There is a simple picnic area and plenty of shady spots at the pond, making a nice place to sit and enjoy the birds.

Total climbing: 45m

Easy track

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Ridge Trail loop walk starts and ends at the Mudbrick building car park (gps: -33.459136, 151.39182)

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

Weather Forecast

This walk starts in the Hunter weather district.

Current Alerts

Park Information

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