Grade 1

Thornleigh to Cowan Hike (35.9km)

Berowra Valley National Park

New South Wales

35.9km

2 days

Grade 4

One way

Save

Bookmark

Compare

Favourite

Hike at a Glance

Quick overview: Experience the heart of Berowra Valley National Park in New South Wales on the challenging 35.9km hike from Thornleigh to Cowan. Just a short drive from the capital city, this Grade 4 trail is set within the lush landscapes of the Great North Walk, offering captivating views and several robust hills. Relish the opportunity to refuel at the quaint cafes in Berowra Waters and embrace the unique journey through the streets of Hornsby Heights. Whether you're a seasoned bushwalker or an outdoor enthusiast, this trail promises an unforgettable adventure.

Max elevation: 226m

Min elevation: -61m

Total Ascent: 1453m

Hike overview


Track grade


Grade 4 (Hard) - Challenging Walks for Experienced Walkers: Grade 4 on the AWTGS signifies challenging walking tracks. Bushwalking experience is recommended for these tracks, which may be long, rough, and very steep. Directional signage may be limited, requiring a good sense of navigation. These walks are suited for experienced walkers who are comfortable with steeper inclines, rougher terrain, and potentially longer distances.

Walk map and GPX file

Thornleigh to Cowan Hike (35.9km)


Explore safely


Planning this hike? Most incidents develop before you even start. Safe outcomes depend on how navigation, hydration, environment, load and judgement work together. Small oversights can compound quickly in Australian conditions. See how it happens in the Hiking Safety Systems Foundations. Then use the Hiking Safety Systems, planning calculators, and make sure a trusted contact has your trip plan before heading out.

Leave a trip plan


Register your plans

Before you go, complete a trip intentions form and share it with a trusted contact. Agree on a Late-Back Time and ask them to call 000 (Police) if you have not checked in. A clear trip plan is one of the simplest and most effective safety steps you can take.

Planning checklists


Download the hiking preparation and safety checklists before leaving home to help you think through your plans. They help ensure important considerations are not overlooked and support safer decision-making on the trail.

Getting there


Getting to the trailhead: Berowra Valley National Park.

Need a rental car to get you to the hike? Find one here.

Get there with Google Maps

Accommodation nearby


Find accommodation close to the trailhead including hotels, cabins, and campgrounds. Use the interactive map to explore available options in nearby towns.

Nearby towns: Asquith, Berowra, Brooklyn, Cowan, Hornsby, Mount Colah, Mount Kuring-gai, Normanhurst

About the region


Similar walks nearby


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

Grade 1
Grade 1
Grade 1
Grade 1

Suggest an edit


Notice something different about this trail? Whether it’s a new feature, a route change, or a closure, share your update so we can keep our info accurate and helpful for fellow hikers.

Click to suggest edits >>


Reviews

Thornleigh to Cowan Hike (35.9km)


Leave a Review.

Acknowledgement of Country

Thornleigh to cowan hike (35. 9km) trail hiking australia

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.

Last modified: