Great North walk – Lane Cove National Park is a 20km, grade 3 one way hike, located in the Lane Cove National Park, New South Wales. The hike should take approximately 7hrs to complete.

Hike Summary

Great North walk is a mammoth multi-day hike and at 250km, it’s not for the faint-hearted. Created in 1988 to celebrate Australia’s bicentenary, the walk links Sydney with the Hunter Valley and Newcastle. It is a one-stop-shop for some of the best scenery New South Wales has to offer.
It takes about 16 days to walk the entire Great North walk and this section of the track passes through Lane Cove National Park from East Ryde to Thornleigh. You can extend your walk by starting from the Obelisk in Macquarie Place near Sydney Cove or continue on north by joining Great North walk – Berowra Valley National Park.
There are lots of scenic spots to stop for a picnic or break along the way and you’ll be blown away by the sheer beauty of the landscape. Around each corner you’ll see dramatic drops into the river valley below, rugged sandstone, dense mangrove swamps and plateaus with magnificent lookouts. You’ll most likely catch a glimpse or two of some of our native wildlife. Walk quietly to increase your chances.

About the region

Lane Cove National Park in the Sydney and surrounds region
Lane Cove National Park is open 9am to 7pm during daylight savings (until 6pm at other times). The park may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.

Getting there

To Short Street, Thornleigh. Great North walk – Lane Cove National Park is in Lane Cove National Park. To get there:From Epping Road, turn into Pittwater RoadContinue for approximately 2kmSugarloaf carpark is located on the left shortly after the Rene Street roundaboutAlternatively, if beginning from Thornleigh:From Pennant Hills Road, turn into The Comenarra ParkwayTurn into Wood Street, first on the rightTurn left into Short Street and follow to the end. Park entry points Short Street, Thornleigh See on map Sugarloaf carpark See on map Parking Parking is available at Sugarloaf carpark on Pittwater Road, East Ryde and Short Street, Thornleigh. It can be a busy place on the weekend, so parking might be limited.

Tips

Great North walk is well signposted
You can camp overnight or stay in a cabin at Lane Cove River Tourist Park. Camping is also available at Crosslands Reserve.
Remember to take your binoculars if you want to birdwatch
For more information about the walk, check out the Department of Industry, Lands and Forestry website.

Visit NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service for more information on this trail.

The longitude and latitude of the start and end points are approximately only and should not be used for navigation purposes. Please contact me if you know the correct coordinates.