Mt Sugarloaf Red Track

Download & Print Map and Notes

1 Hr

800 m Circuit

43 m

Moderate track

A must do if you’re in the area, this walk travels through particularly attractive forest as it circumnavigates the summit of Mt Sugarloaf. The side trip to the summit of Mt Sugarloaf would best be done first, followed by a leisurely walk along the track. There are many picnic options, either during or at the end of walk. Enjoy the views and attractive forest on this walk.

Picnic table and pond by the Mt Sugarloaf car park

Pond at Mt Sugarloaf car park near Newcastle

Information sign and map of Mt Sugarloaf near Newcastle

Picnic table at Mt Sugarloaf car park near Newcastle

Yellow stone monument near Mt Sugarloaf car park

Locked gate on the walk to Mt Sugarloaf summit near Newcastle

Track to Mt Sugarloaf summit near Newscastle

Red track near the Mt Sugarloaf car park

Red track track marker near the Mt Sugarloaf car park

Red track near the summit of Mt Sugarloaf

Red track through forest near the summit of Mt Sugarloaf

Track marker near the Mt Sugarloaf summit

Red track on Mt Sugarloaf near Newcastle

Red track marker near the Mt Sugarloaf summit

Forest on the red track close to Mt Sugarloaf

Rocks and forest near the summit of Mt Sugarloaf

Attractive flowering plants near the summit of Mt Sugarloaf

Red track close to the summit of Mt Sugarloaf near Newcastle

Track marker on the red track near the summit of Mt Sugarloaf

Red track leading to the Mt Sugarloaf car park

Concrete feature near the Mt Sugarloaf car park

Mount Sugarloaf Car Park

Mount Sugarloaf car park is located in West Wallsend (25km west of Newcastle) and offers fabulous views[1] of the surrounding countryside. This car park is the starting point for many walks around Mount Sugarloaf. There is a pond[2], information sign[3] and great views to the east. More info.

(0km) Mt Sugarloaf Carpark → Yellow Stone Monument

30 m

1 mins

0m Easy track

From the car park[4], this walk follows the road gently downhill out of the car park, while keeping the pond on your left. The road is followed for about 35m, until coming to a four-way intersection[5], with a yellow stone monument[6] (on your right).

(0km) Yellow Stone Monument → Int of Summit & Red Track

50 m

2 mins

14m

0m Easy track

Turn left: From the intersection[7] and yellow stone monument[8], this walk follows the road towards a locked gate[9] (with a metal ring fence to its right). The walk follows the road for about 20m then passes around the locked gate. Then the walk follows the road gently uphill[10] (with metal ring fence on the right) for about 35m, until coming to a three-way intersection[11] with a track and timber track marker[12] (on the right).

(0km) Int of Summit & Red Track → Mt Sugarloaf Summit

190 m

6 mins

30m

-3m Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection[13], this walk follows the road moderately steeply uphill[14] with the hill on your right. The walk continues for about 90m, until bending right[15] and leveling out at a fenced tower[16] and park bench[17].
Continue straight: From the fenced tower[18], this walk follows the footpath moderately steeply uphill, while keeping the fenced tower on your right. The footpath[19] (with a metal fence[20] either side) is followed up metal[21] and stone[22] steps for about 40m, until coming to Mt Sugarloaf summit[23]. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn left.

Mount Sugarloaf Summit

Mount Sugarloaf Summit is located in West Wallsend (25km west of Newcastle) and offers fabulous views[24] of the surrounding countryside from a fenced lookout[25]. The summit gives 360-degree views amongst three television transmitters of the coast and mountains. There is a black stone direction table[27] to help you locate landmarks in the surrounding country. Mount Sugarloaf, also known as Great Sugar Loaf, is an extinct volcano. Unusually, on the 18th and 19th of July 1965, the mountain received 10 centimetres (4 in) of snow. It also snowed on the summit in the winter of 1975 . More info.

(0km) Int of Summit & Red Track → Int of Red & Green Track

620 m

14 mins

22m

-42m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection[29], this walk follows the track gently uphill[30], keeping the red timber track marker[31] on your left. The track is followed through forest for about 190m, to find a track[32] and timber red track marker[33] (on the right). The walk continues gently uphill[34] and straight ahead for about 120m, to find large rocks[35]. The track leads gently downhill through these rocks, and after about 300m, comes to a three-way intersection[36] with a track and red timber track marker[37] (on the right).

(1km) Int of Red & Green Track → Mt Sugarloaf Carpark

100 m

2 mins

0m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection[38], this walk follows the track gently uphill[39], keeping the valley on your right. This trail continues through forest for about 50m, to find a large open grassed picnic area[40]. The walk continues up this grassed area (crossing over a concrete pad[41]) and after about 60m, comes to the Mt Sugarloaf car park[42].

Maps for the Mt Sugarloaf Red 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.

Wallsend	1:25 000 Map Series	92323S WALLSEND	NSW-92323S
Newcastle	1:100 000 Map Series	9232 NEWCASTLE	9232

Cross sectional view of the Mt Sugarloaf Red Track bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Mt Sugarloaf Red Track

Altitude analysis for Mt Sugarloaf Red 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	800 m
		Time	1 Hr
		.
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	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

Around 700m of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps, whilst the remaining 100m has short steep hills.

Quality of track

Around 620m of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles, whilst the remaining 180m follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs

Around 720m of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 80m is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 800m requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 800m is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

Around 720m of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 80m 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 Mt Sugarloaf Red Track walk.

Mt Sugarloaf Summit

534 m Return, 30 mins

This summit walk to Mt Sugarloaf offers fabulous 360 degree views and is highly recommended. This short but steep walk follows a wide trail, which narrows to become fenced steps directly to the summit. From the summit, you can see across the surrounding plains, with the views of Newcastle, Lake Ma

Total climbing: 48m

Moderate track

Mt Sugarloaf Green Track

1.8 km Circuit, 1 hr 30 mins

This longer walk travels though gentle forest, with many opportunities for picnics. Primarily in forest, this walk occasionally offers views out to the surrounding plains. The side trip to the western viewpoint (unfenced) is particularly recommended as the views are fabulous. This walk is mostl

Total climbing: 73m

Moderate track

Mt Sugarloaf Northern Track

3.8 km Circuit, 1 hr 45 mins

This walk takes you away from the Mt Sugarloaf summit, to visit a quieter viewpoint. This longer walk initially visits the western viewpoint, before traversing northward to eventually arrive at the northern viewpoint. From here, the walk gradually descends to the Lower Mt Sugarloaf car park and th

Total climbing: 195m

Moderate track

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Mt Sugarloaf Red Track walk.

Teralba to Charlestown Park track head

13.3 km One way, 4 hrs 30 mins

This section of the Great North Walk starts from the Teralba train station and winds down and around the edge of Lake Macquarie. The walk passes through the Cockle reserve, and continues to Warners bay and up along the roads, before cutting through the bush to Charlestown, where it winds around the

Total climbing: 220m

Moderate track

Teralba to Newcastle via Glenrock Scout Camp

25.7 km One way, 2 Days

This walk follows the most northern section of the Great North Walk, from the Teralba station along Macquarie lake, to Warners Bay. Most of the walking is along footpaths, through park land, or along the road side. After Charlestown, the walk heads through the bush to the old Belmont railway and al

Total climbing: 489m

Hard track

Heaton Gap to Teralba station

14.8 km One way, 6 hrs

This section of the Great North Walk starts from Heaton Gap near the Watagan Forest Motel, and winds east, towards Newcastle. The walk passes through the Awaba State Forest and past the Sugarloaf range, down into Wakefield and on to Teralba, a pleasant town on the edge of Lake Macquarie. Accommodati

Total climbing: 460m

Hard track

Rod Earp Rain Forest Circuit (from Lookout Rd)

1.9 km Circuit, 1 Hr

This quiet and secluded walk is an easy amble through attractive rainforest. This walk circumnavigates Rainforest Creek and takes the walker into cool dense forest. You are likely to see flying foxes in the trees and if you are lucky, a Powerful Owl. Accessed from the quieter Lookout Road car par

Total climbing: 104m

Moderate track

Forestway Circuit Walk

2.7 km Circuit, 1 Hr

This is a good walk, a highlight being the delightful Lily Pond picnic area, with its lush vegetation and attractive flowers. This walk travels through eucalyptus forest as well as one section of road walking through a quiet suburban street. The side trip to Richley Park is worthwhile to access th

Total climbing: 91m

Moderate track

Blackbutt Circuit Walk

6.5 km Circuit, 2 hrs 30 mins

This walk is a good longer option walking experience at Blackbutt Reserve. This walk visits the two larger picnic areas of Richley Reserve and Carnley Reserve, as well as the Lily pond and Rain Forest picnic areas. A highlight to this walk is the throughly recommended side trip to the Wildlife Exh

Total climbing: 245m

Moderate track

Tall Trees Circuit Walk

2.8 km Circuit, 1 hr 15 mins

This walk circumnavigates Coal Mine Creek on good trails. The walk starts and finishes at Richley Reserve, which has excellent picnic facilities combined with a lovely outlook over large ponds. The well established eucalyptus forest that this walk travels through surrounds you as you walk along th

Total climbing: 90m

Moderate track

Richley Reserve to Carnley Reserve Circuit

2.9 km Circuit, 1 hr 15 mins

A great family length walk that takes in both of the large reserves in the Blackbutt Park. This walk starts at Richley Reserve and travels to Carnley Reserve and the Wildlife Exhibits before returning a different way to Richley Reserve. Never far from facilities, this walk suits families or those wh

Total climbing: 96m

Moderate track

Blackbutt Explorer

6 km Circuit, 2 hrs 30 mins

A meandering walk that takes in much of what Blackbutt Reserve has to offer. This walk completes a figure 8 while following the trails around Blackbutt Reserve. The side trip to the Wildlife Exhibits is considered a must see. There are many opportunities to stop along this walk, be it at a seat a

Total climbing: 225m

Moderate track

Richley Reserve Circuit

731 m Circuit, 30 mins

This easy walk, which is wheelchair accessible, travels through open grasslands that are surrounded by healthy eucalyptus forest. The grasslands have two large ponds, with two black swans on the lower pond. Do beware of the swans defending their territory. Richley Reserve is well maintained and

Total climbing: 21m

Very easy

Mangrove Boardwalk to Schoolmasters House

1.2 km Return, 30 mins

Wander among the mangroves to step back in time to explore the old Schoolmaster's House that was part of a once vibrant community in the area. Following devastating floods in 1955, the people moved from the area with the area still being leased as farmland. Now, these wetlands are protected as part

Total climbing: 4m

Very easy

The Welcome walk

945 m One way, 30 mins

Come and meander at your own pace through this unique saltmarsh ecosystem. The timber boardwalk guides you among the mangroves as you keep an eye out for baby fish and crabs while also enjoy the birdlife. There are seats along the way making it easy to stop and just watch. There are information sign

Total climbing: 3m

Easy track

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Mt Sugarloaf Red Track walk starts and ends at the Mt Sugarloaf Carpark (gps: -32.890649, 151.53942)

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

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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