Pines Circuit Walk

Download & Print Map and Notes

45 mins

1.7 km Circuit

56 m

Moderate track

This short walk takes you into the moist forest around Dora Creek and is recommended. The walk visits a small waterfall and dammed pool then travels through forest, visiting the large open Pines picnic area before returning to the starting point. The section of this walk near Dora Creek is particularly pleasant on a hot day.

Fireplace in the pines camping ground in the Watagans

Start to track in the Pines campsite in the Watagans

Track and track marker in pines camping ground in the Watagans

Track near pines camping area in the Watagans

Timber bridge near Pines campsite in the Watagans

Track down to small waterfall near the Pines Campsite in the Watagans

Track with steps down to the small waterfall near the Pines campsite in the Watagans

Waterfall near Pines camping ground in the Watagans

Small waterfall near the Pines campsite in the Watagans

Track near the Pines campsite in the Watagans

Timber post and railing near the dammed pool in the Watagans

Timber bridge and railing near the Pines campsite in the Watagans

Dammed pool on the Pines walking track in the Watagans

Groove marks in rock at dammed pool in the watagans

Dammed pool near the pines campsite in the Watagans

Timber footbridge and railing at the dammed pool in the Watagans

Track and timber railing close to the dammed pool in the Watagans

Track near the dammed pool in the Watagans

Track over old timber footbridge in the Watagans

Small timber track marker on the Pines Circuit Walk in the Watagans

Timber bridge near the Pines Picnic area in the Watagans

Termite mould near the Pines Picnic area in the Watagans

Track towards the Pines Picnic area in the Watagans

Approaching the Pines Picnic Area in the Watagans

Amongst tree at the Pines Picnic Area in the Watagans

Locked gate at the Pines Picnic Area in the Watagans

Metal shelter at the Pines picnic area in the Watagans

Track downhill near the Pines picnic area in the Watagans

Track downhill near the Pines campsite in the Watagans

Timber steps on track near the Pines campsite in the Watagans

Track near the Pines campstie in the Watagans

The Pines Camping Area

The Pines Camping Area is large and popular, and positioned under large pine trees which provide excellent shade. These trees are remnants from trial plantings of different pine species, established in the 1920s and 1930s. The campsite has pit toilets, picnic tables, fireplaces and water (treat water before use - water maybe unavailable). There is access to the creek for cooling off in the summer. More info.

(0km) Pines Camping Area → Int of Pines & Abbotts Falls Track

120 m

2 mins

-9m Moderate track

From the Pines Camping area[1], this walk follows the track[2] gently downhill (passing a 'Walking Track' sign[3] on your left. Then this walk follows the track for about 30m to find a rotten timber footbridge[4]. This walk crosses the footbridge and after about 10m, comes to a T-intersection with a track.

(0km) Int of Pines and Abbotts Falls walking trails → Dammed Pool

120 m

2 mins

-8m Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection[5], this walk follows the track gently downhill[6], keeping the creek on your left. This walk follows the track (ignoring a creek ford[7] to the left) for about 25m, to find stone cut steps. This walk follows the track down the stone steps for about 20m to find a small waterfall[8] (on your left). The track continues gently downhill through moist forest[9] for about 80m, until coming to timber railings[10] and a dammed pool[11].

Dammed Pool on the Pines Walking track

The dammed pool by Dora Creek (on the Pine walking track) is surrounded by lovely moist eucalypt forest and has an attractive dammed pool. Then is also evidence of axe-sharpening rubbing grooves on damp rock shelves from historical aboriginal use. The dammed pool is on the Pines loop walk, which can be begun from either the Pines campsite or the Pines picnic area. More info.

(0km) Dammed Pool → Pines Walk (creek intersection)

100 m

2 mins

-2m Moderate track

Turn left: From the dammed pool[12], this walk follows the track along timber railing and then gently downhill, with the creek on your left. This walk follows the track, with the deep creek[13] on your left (passing timber railings[14]) for about 100m, until coming to a three-way intersection[15], with a track[16] on the right.

(0km) Pines Walk (creek intersection) → Pines picnic area (northern end)

620 m

13 mins

35m

-6m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection[17], this walk follows the track[18] moderately steeply uphill[19] and away from the creek and keeping the timber track marker[20] on your left. This walk follows the track through regrowth forest[21] for about 260m, to find a rotten timber footbridge[22]. The walk crosses the bridge and continues to follow the track gently downhill for about 30m, to find another timber footbridge[23]. The walk crosses the creek and footbridge and continues to follow the track gently uphill for about 110m, until another timber footbridge[24] is crossed. Then this walk follows the track gently uphill for about 200m, until coming to the northern side of the Pines picnic area[25].

(1km) Pines picnic Area (northern end) → Pines Picnic Area Toilet Block on Palmers Rd

210 m

4 mins

0m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the northern end of the Pines picnic area[26], this walk goes south and gently uphill through the picnic area[27] and pine trees. This walk continues for about 200m, until coming to the toilet block[28] on the management trail[29] (Palmers Rd).

Pines picnic area

This large picnic area is often used by groups participating in Forests NSW’s school and community programs. The area provides plenty of tree cover, as well as a number of picnic benches and tables. There is a large shelter built and reserved for the Forests NSW’s programs, but is available for use at any other time. The area is surrounded by native plants and animals.

(1km) Pines Picnic Area Toilet Block on Palmers Rd → Int of Pines and Abbotts Falls Track

470 m

10 mins

-31m Moderate track

Veer right: From the toilet block on Palmers Rd[30], this walk travels north, passing through the picnic area[31](and keeping the metal shelter[32] on your left). This walk follow a track[33](30m past the metal shelter) gently downhill through pine trees for about 130m, to find a creek[34] (on the left). This walk then continues to follow the track for about 140m (ignoring a timber stepped track which heads down to the creek), until coming to a three-way intersection, with a track and footbridge[35] (on the left).

(2km) Int of Pines & Abbotts Falls Track → Pines Camping Area

120 m

2 mins

0m Moderate track

Turn left : From the intersection[36], this walk follows the track gently downhill and towards a timber footbridge[37]. The walk crosses the rotten timber footbridge[38]), then continues along the track gently uphill for about 30m, until coming to the Pines Camping area[39].

Maps for the Pines Circuit Walk 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.

Morisset	1:25 000 Map Series	91311N MORISSET	NSW-91311N
Gosford	1:100 000 Map Series	9131 GOSFORD	9131

Cross sectional view of the Pines Circuit Walk bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Pines Circuit Walk

Altitude analysis for Pines Circuit Walk

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	1.7 km
		Time	45 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	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

Around 1.6km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps, whilst the remaining 120m has short steep hills.

Quality of track

Around 1.5km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles, whilst the remaining 210m follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs

Around 1.4km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 340m is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

Around 1.4km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 360m requires some bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 1.7km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

Around 1.4km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 300m 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 Pines Circuit Walk walk.

Abbotts Falls Walking Track

7.3 km Circuit, 3 hrs

This circuit takes you through both dry and moist forest, using a combination of walking trails and wider tracks. The side trip to the dammed pool is recommended, to see the deep Aboriginal carved grooves by the pool. This walk travels through open forest with wild flowers (in season) to descend i

Total climbing: 329m

Hard track

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Pines Circuit Walk walk.

Muirs Rainforest Circuit Walk

1.9 km Circuit, 2 hrs 30 mins

This walk spends time ambling through beautiful rainforest and is an excellent choice on a hot day. This walk descends into rainforest on a narrow track, with the track becoming indistinct midway through the walk. A recommended walk through attractive forest.

Total climbing: 160m

Hard track

Muirs Rainforest Walk

1.5 km Return, 1 Hr

This is a good walk on a hot day. This walk leaves Muirs Lookout and descends through healthy blackbutt and blue gum forest to find a moist rainforest of ferns and mosses. A quiet sit and picnic within the rainforest would be lovely. This walk returns the same way you have come.

Total climbing: 130m

Moderate track

Watagan Creek Road to Congewai Valley East Track Head

17.8 km One way, 7 hrs

This section of the Great North Walk starts from Watagan Creek Road and heads north, up the side of the valley then along the dirt roads to the Congewai communications tower. From the tower, you follow a bush track and wind down into the valley, through some farmland and along to the Congewai west

Total climbing: 720m

Hard track

Watagan Creek Road to Flat Rock

4.1 km One way, 2 hrs

This walk starts on Watagan Creek Road and soon crosses the lovely Watagan Creek. From this point, the walk leaves the Watagan valley and climbs steeply up the bush track through forest. The walk then travels on dirt road, passing a campsite and rest area, before arriving soon afterwards at the un

Total climbing: 384m

Hard track

Watagan Creek Road to Congewai Valley Track Head (West)

12.6 km One way, 5 hrs 30 mins

This section of the Great North Walk starts from the Watagan Creek Road and winds north across the valley and up into the Watagan State Forest, following the ridge lines around the Flatrock Lookout and down into the Congewai Valley before finishing at the track head at Congewai Valley Road. There ar

Total climbing: 649m

Hard track

Congewai East Track Head to Watagan Forest Motel via Forestry HQ Campsite

29.7 km One way, 2 Days

This section of the Great North Walk starts from the Congewai Valley east track head and heads north up into the Watagan National Park, climbing up to the ridgeline and following the management trails and bush tracks heading east all the way to the Forestry HQ campsite. On day two, the walk continue

Total climbing: 1702m

Hard track

Congewai Track Head (East) to Watagan Headquarters

17.2 km One way, 7 hrs

This full day walk starts from the Congewai valley trackhead (east) and follows the Great North Walk up into the Watagan National Park. Winding east along Georges road for the most part, this walk also passes many great lookouts and gives the option of a side trip down to the 125r lookout, which pro

Total climbing: 973m

Hard track

Monkey Face Cliff Walk

406 m Return, 30 mins

This short but steep walk to the base of an attractive cliff is worthwhile. The walk travels through open forest with gum trees and Xanthorhoea trees to eventually follow timber steps steeply to the base of the Monkey Face cliff. This cliff is used by rock climbers and abseiling parties, so be awa

Total climbing: 65m

Hard track

Flat Rock to Congewai Valley East Track Head

13.8 km One way, 5 hrs

Starting from the grand views of Flat Rock Lookout high on the range, you will walk down into the Congewai Valley below. On the first section of this walk, you will explore a little used dirt road to the Congewai Communication Tower. From here you follow a series of tracks that wind down, steeply i

Total climbing: 336m

Hard track

Monkey Face Circuit

1.3 km Circuit, 45 mins

This short and scenic walk offers two lookouts and a forest walk. Gap Creek viewpoint gives views of dense forest, while the Monkey Face viewpoint gives views of forested farmland in the Gap Creek valley. The short forest walk between these two viewpoints is amongst large rocks and offers views of

Total climbing: 74m

Moderate track

Georges Road Rest Area to 125r Lookout

4.4 km Return, 3 hrs 30 mins

This return walk starts from a nice rest area on Georges Road and follows the road along the ridge, passing several great lookout points across the valley, to the quiet little 125r lookout, which provides a nice open clearing that just screams lunch time. Please note that Watagan and Georges Roads a

Total climbing: 209m

Moderate track

Basin Campsite to Watagan Creek Road

13 km One way, 6 hrs

This section of the Great North Walk starts from the Basin campsite in the Olney State Forest and winds north into the Watagans, via the Warrawolong Flora Reserve. This walk also offers a side trip from Turners Road up to the top of Mt Warrawolong, which is the highest point along the Great North Wa

Total climbing: 784m

Hard track