Hike at a Glance

Quick overview: Discover the breathtaking Berowra Valley National Park in New South Wales on the Benowie walking track. This challenging Grade 5 hike, spanning 27km, starts and ends at 255 Quarter Sessions Rd, just a stone's throw from Westleigh and a short 31km trip from Sydney. Immerse yourself in the bushland beauty as you follow Berowra Creek, with camping spots available for a 3 to 4-day adventure. For a tailored experience, section the trail to suit your pace or extend your journey to Lane Cove National Park or Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.

Length:

27km

Duration:

3-4 days

Grade:

Style:

One Way

Max elevation: 0m

Min elevation: 0m

Total Ascent: 0m

Start: 255 Quarter Sessions Rd

End: 255 Quarter Sessions Rd

Berowra Valley National Park

New South Wales

Nearby town: Westleigh

From state capital: 31km

Latitude: -33.70085333

Longitude: 151.0762167

Overview

Map

Gallery

Weather

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Region

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Hike overview

Also known as Benowie walking track, this beautiful bushland walk through Berowra Valley National Park follows Berowra Creek for 25km of the iconic Great North walk between Sydney and Newcastle.
This section of the walk, from Pennant Hills to Berowra Waters, takes about two to three days to walk, with several places to camp along the way. If you'd prefer a shorter walk, you can always break the trail up into more manageable sections, particularly if you're taking the kids out for the day.
Join the walk from Pennant Hills, Westleigh, Hornsby, Galston Gorge picnic area or Berowra Waters, and head out into the bush for an adventure. For a longer walk extend your trip south along the Great North walk - Lane Cove National Park or link up with the Great North walk - Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park and continue north towards Newcastle.

Tips

Make sure you prepare well if you're planning to walk overnight. Bring weather-appropriate gear, sunscreen and let someone know where you are going.
Berowra creek is susceptible to pollution. Swimming should be avoided for three days after heavy rainfall or if the water is discoloured.
Check out the Department of Industry, Lands and Forestry website for more information about Great North walk - Berowra Valley National Park

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.

Gallery

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Walk map and GPX file
Great North Walk: Berowra Valley Hike (27km)

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Getting there

Getting to the trailhead: Berowra Valley National Park.

To Berowra Waters. Great North walk – Berowra Valley National Park is in Berowra Valley National Park. To get there:From the M2 Motorway, take the Pennant Hills Road exit and head north.Turn left at Observatory Park to stay on Pennant Hills RoadTurn left onto Boundary Road in Pennant HillsTurn right onto Bellamy Street and follow all the way to the end of the road, where the track beginsYou can also join the walk from:Quarter Sessions Road, Westleigh.Manor Road, Hornsby.Galston Gorge picnic area on Galston RoadNear Dusthole Bay in Berowra WatersAlternatively, if taking public transport:The track is about 1km from either Hornsby or Pennant Hills train stationsCheck out the Transport Info website for more information. Park entry points Berowra Waters See on map Manor Road, Hornsby See on map Quarter Sessions Road, Westleigh See on map Somerville Road access See on map Parking Parking is available at the end of Bellamy Street, Pennant Hills, and on other residential streets in Hornsby and Westleigh, with limited spaces at Galston Gorge picnic area.

Get there with Google Maps

Closest towns to this walk: Asquith, Berowra, Brooklyn, Cowan, Hornsby, Mount Colah, Mount Kuring-gai, Normanhurst

Access conditions

Drinking Water
Camping Area

About the region

The Berowra Valley National Park is a protected national park that is in northern Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The 3,884-hectare national park is situated approximately 20 kilometres north-west of the Sydney central business district. Berowra Valley National Park is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger Crosslands Reserve is open 8am to 7.30pm during daylight savings and 9am to 5pm the rest of the year Barnetts Road Reserve and the lookout is closed from sunset to sunrise.

Similar walks nearby

Looking for more walks in or near Berowra Valley National Park? Try these trails with a similar difficulty grade.

Track grade

Grade 5 (Difficult) - Walks for the Most Experienced: Grade 5 represents the most challenging walking tracks on the AWTGS. These are only recommended for very experienced and fit walkers with specialised skills, including navigation and emergency first aid. Tracks are likely to be very rough, very steep, and unmarked. Walks may be more than 20 kilometers. These challenging walks demand a high level of fitness and experience to navigate difficult terrain, significant elevation changes, and potentially unformed paths.

Explore safe

Plan ahead and hike safely! Carry enough water, pack layers for changing conditions, and bring safety gear like a torch, PLB, and reliable communication device. Check official sources for trail updates, closures, and access requirements, and review local weather and bushfire advice. Most importantly, share your plans with someone before you go. Being prepared makes for a safer and more enjoyable hike! Stay Safe, Explore More, and Always #ExploreSafe.

Packing checklists

What you carry in your pack depends on factors like weather, terrain, and your adventure type. Not sure what to bring? My free planning, food, and packing checklists are a great starting point, covering day hikes, overnight trips, and multi-day adventures. Use them to customise your kit and always prioritise safety.

Let someone know

Before heading out, take a moment to fill out your trip intentions form. It’s a quick way to share your hike details with family or friends. If something goes wrong, they can notify emergency services, ensuring a faster response and peace of mind. Stay safe and enjoy your adventure

Reviews
Great North Walk: Berowra Valley Hike (27km)

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Acknowledgement of Country

Great north walk: berowra valley hike (27km)

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.

Curated by: Darren Edwards | Trail Hiking Australia

Last modified:

February 25, 2025

Hike at a Glance

Hike overview

Tips

Gallery

Walk map and GPX file
Great North Walk: Berowra Valley Hike (27km)