This is a guide to the Berowra to Mt Ku-ring-gai track, which is not to be confused with the Mount Ku-ring-gai to Berowra track, which is actually a totally different walk.
Confused? Yep, we were too.
We turned up thinking we had already done this track once before in reverse, only to realise that it was a whole new walk for us! And it turned out to be a real find.
We later found out that the difference between the two is that one goes via Ku-ring-gai National Park (east) and the other goes via Berowra National Park (west). This article is about the one that goes through Ku-ring-gai (the Berowra Valley National Park blog is here).
We’ve done almost every trail in the area and none of them follow the water for as long as the Berowra Track. If you like a bush walk with a good water view then this is definitely the track for you.
It’s also great if you don’t have a car because this walk takes you from one train station to another.
Here’s what to expect from one of our favourite walks in Ku-ring-gai.
Berowra to Mount Ku-ring-gai Walk
The stats
Distance: 10km
Elevation: 324m
Difficulty: Moderate
Type of trail: One way
The Berowra Track to Mount Ku-ring-gai is a moderately difficult walk, with some steep sections, and a lot of the undulating trail. In parts it can be rocky underfoot and isn’t the smoothest of paths but there isn’t any scrambling involved!
We recommend allowing 3-3.5 hours for this trail to enjoy the views and not feel rushed (especially for the climb at the end).
Starting the trail from Berowra Station
The thing I love about most station to station walks in Sydney is that you only have to walk for a few minutes to get to the trail head, it’s hard to believe that the national park boundary is so close to the station.
You exit the station and then turn right over the railway bridge which sits above the highway, and within 200m you’re entering Ku-ring-gai National Park.
Heading into the bush
Naturally, at first you can still hear the sounds of the highway, but they’re immediately diluted by the frequent calls of the Whipbirds.
The bush is dense from the off, so you really feel like you’ve escaped the city from the very beginning. After a short time all the road sounds melt away and you’re left only with the sounds of running water and birdlife.
You begin a series of switchbacks taking you steeply downhill within 100m of entering the park.
The trail is a dirt path which is quite rocky. It’s not difficult, but you do have to watch your footing, and after rain it can be a bit slippery.
Heading down to Cowan Creek
After roughly a kilometre, the switchbacks end and the fairly steep descent begins to flatten out which is a nice break after the earlier rocky terrain.
The narrow path is lined with dense bush on either side and it’s a very pretty part of the walk, it was really lush and dripping with water despite the fact it hadn’t rained that day.
Watch out though, as some of the mud along this section has an almost clay like consistency which can make it quite slippery.
After around 500m you’ll come to Waratah Bay and the start of Cowan Creek. At this point we had no idea we would be following the creek for the majority of the rest of the walk!
Following the Creek
It’s a really pretty creek and depending on the light it can look a variety of different colours. For the most part on our walk it was a lovely emerald, and it was so glassy that we often got a gorgeous reflection of the trees in the water.
Almost immediately we saw cormorants drying out their wings on the trees in the water and a Black Cockatoo fly over head, although it was definitely camera shy - we waited for so long trying to get a picture!
You’ll also see an old rusted boat hull left over from the days when there used to be a boat building business here.
The path itself is narrow and keeps very close to the water. Whilst it is never a 100% smooth or flat trail, the first couple of kilometres are relatively flat and it’s an easy and relaxing part of the walk.
We saw more people out fishing than we did other hikers (hiker count: one on the entire walk!) and it was easy to feel like you had the whole landscape to yourself.
After roughly 2km you’ll reach Lords Bay and from here the walk began undulating a fair amount more, it’s never steep, but you climb up and down very short sections as you meander around the water.
Lords Bay had definite jungle vibes, with huge boulders and lots of dense greenery. There were even some hanging vines which reminded me of Barrington Tops.
After leaving Lords Bay, you continue following the creek. I kept expecting to turn inland like you do on many other tracks in the area, but this one keeps with the water views for over 6km! It’s my favourite thing about the walk.
After 2.5km you’ll reach a short section of boardwalk and a really big open view of the creek. Edit for December 2022: the boardwalk has now been replaced with sandstone following the floods.
Enjoy the views here because you have just 300m following the creek left.
Heading up to Mount Ku-ring-gai Station
Once you have been hiking for just under 6.9km in total, you reach the signpost which directs you right to Mount Ku-ring-gai Station and straight on to Apple Tree Bay.
If you have more time you could continue following the water to Apple Tree Bay but we started the climb back up to the station
The initial part of the climb is fairly steep, and you get a nice view back on the creek from high up pretty early on.
After 450m the path then flattens considerably and though you continue to climb, the gradient is so gentle that you don’t notice it much.
After a brief completely flat stretch you then begin a slightly steeper climb, before the path undulates more gently. The total uphill section before you reach the flat path which takes you all the way to the park boundary is just under 2km.
Once you exit the park you have a 500m walk up a quiet residential street before you reach Mount Ku-ring-gai Station.
Packing suggestions for the walk
Having the right gear can make a huge difference. Here’s what we pack and have relied upon for years:
Sunscreen: Cancer Council Active. With a high SPF, but not the greasy feel of other sunscreens. Makes a big difference when you’re working up a sweat on a sunny day! Check it out on Amazon
Good Rain Jacket: North Face This is an essential item we always pack in our bag! This jacket from North Face is designed to keep you dry but also comfortably warm (many rain jackets will make you feel like you’re in a sauna). Check it out on Amazon
Day Pack: Osprey Talon 22 (we’ve owned this for years). Check on Amazon or direct with Osprey
Hiking Boots: Merrell Moab (for men and women). We’ve both used these for over three years and they just keep going. Check them out on Amazon
Trekking poles: We’ve used Black Diamond for years as they are light, solid and durable. Check them out on Amazon.
Reusable water bottle: To avoid single-use plastic. Check them out on Amazon
Essential information about the Berowra to Mount Ku-ring-gai walk
Getting to and from the trail heads
The great thing about this trail is that there is no need to make it a return walk as it starts and ends at a train station. You can drive to Berowra (parking is free and unlimited) and then get the train back once you get to Mount Ku-ring-gai or use the train both ways.
This trail is easy to do completely using public transport. Trains run fairly regularly along the north shore line to Berowra and Mount Ku-ring-gai from Central Station. It takes about 1 hour to get to either train station.
Ku-ring-gai National Park Fee
The entry fee for Ku-ring-gai National Park doesn’t apply to this walk so it’s completely free : )
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Are you planning on doing the Berowra Track to Mount Ku-ring-gai? What’s your favourite bush walk in Sydney? Let us know in the comments below!
