Circular Quay to Hornsby is a 44.4km, grade 4 hike located in the Lane Cove National Park, Berowra Valley National Park, New South Wales. The hike should take around 3 days to complete.
Hike overview
This fun walk covers a large section of the Great North Walk starting from the official start in Circular Quay. After a short ferry trip the walk follows the Lane Cove River through the Lane Cove National Park to Thornleigh. Here the walk enters Berowra Valley National Park continuing along the Great North Walk to before following the popular Blue Gum Walk up out of the valley to Hornsby train station. Camp overnight at Lane Cove tourist park and at the Scout camp in Thornleigh.
Download maps and tracknotes for Circular Quay to Hornsby hiking track from wildwalks.com.
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About the region
Lane Cove National Park
Not far from Sydney's city centre, is the perfect place for a family day out or school excursion. Explore historic sites along the Heritage walk or enjoy a picnic, canoe or go birdwatching.
Lane Cove National Park is a beautiful pocket of bushland that sits on either side of the peaceful Lane Cove River. It’s in easy reach for Sydneysiders, extending from East Ryde to Pennant Hills and West Chatswood.
It’s a great place for a day out with the family; there are lots of picnic areas to choose from, including those that offer picnic tables, barbecues, children’s play equipment, flat grassy areas and easy access to walking tracks and places to ride your bike. Whatever activities you fancy, you’re bound to find a perfect place to picnic for the day.
Berowra Valley National Park, just north of Sydney.
This large park occupies the beautiful bushland valley between the suburbs of Hornsby Heights, Thornleigh, Galston, Pennant Hills and Cherrybrook, reaching up to the quiet waters of Berowra Creek.
Covering a 25km stretch of the Great North walk, the park offers more than 70km of walking tracks and fire trails. If you’d rather enjoy nature at a slower pace, enjoy a picnic or barbecue at Crosslands Reserve, so close to the suburbs and yet so far from the speed of daily life. Berowra Creek is a great spot for some canoeing or kayaking, and there are some good places to dangle your line overboard - you might be lucky enough to catch some lunch.
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Gear to consider

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Acknowledgement of Country
Trail Hiking Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we hike and pay respects to their Elders, past and present, and we acknowledge the First Nations people of other communities who may be here today.