Hike from Mt Ku-Ring-Gai to Berowra

One of the most rewarding hikes in Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National park is the hike from Mt Ku-Ring-Gai to Berowra. The walk goes through the various parts of the national park and is along the Cowan Creek. The track definitely provides great views of the bay and is mostly under the cover of thick forests.

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About Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park

Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National park is a protected area in the northern part of Sydney. The park is the second oldest national park in Australia and was declared as national park in the year 1894. Famous for its bush walks, aboriginal sites and the Hawkesbury River on one side, Ku-Ring-Gai Chase national park is one of my favourite national parks to hike in.

There are plenty of hikes and walks in Ku-Ring-Gai national park that hikers can select from, depending on the grades they wish to do. The hikers hike in the national park throughout the year. However, it is not advisable to hike in the rainy season as the rocks and the path can be quite slippery.

Local Transportation

Sydney Central Business District (CBD) to Mt Ku-Ring-Gai

Driving

The distance between Sydney CBD and Mt Ku-Ring-Gai train station is around 39 kilometres and it takes about 40 minutes to drive.

There is a Free car parking at the train station.
The route has toll roads.

Sydney to Mt Ku-Ring-Gai train station – View on Google Maps

Public transport

There are frequent trains between Central train station and Mt Ku-Ring-Gai train station. The train journey takes around 1 hour 30 minutes.

More information on trains can be found on Transport for NSW website.
Opal transportation or credit/debit cards can be used to pay the fare.

Berowra to Sydney CBD

Driving

Since the hike is one way, one has to take a public transport from Berowra train station to Mt Ku-Ring-Gai train station. The distance between Berowra and Mt Ku-Ring-Gai train stations is just 5 kilometres by road and the train journey takes less than 5 minutes.

The distance between Sydney CBD and Mt Ku-Ring-Gai train station is around 39 kilometres and it takes about 40 minutes to drive.

The route has toll roads.

Public transport

There are frequent trains between Berowra and Central train stations. The train journey takes around 1 hour 30 minutes.

More information on trains can be found on Transport for NSW website.
Opal transportation or credit/debit cards can be used to pay the fare.

Hiking details

The track descends and is through the bushes and dense forest in the Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National park. It is along the Cowan Creek and Appletree Bay, ending with a steep climb towards the Berowra train station.

Most people also hike from Berowra to Mt Ku-Ring-Gai train station. The distance, grade and the time taken is same.

Statistics

Below are the stats for the hike from Mt Ku-Ring-Gai to Berowra train stations.

Starting point: Mt Ku-Ring-Gai train station.
Ending point: Berowra train station.
Type of walk: One way.
Distance: 10 kilometres.
Time taken: 4 to 5 hours.
Grade: Moderate to Hard. Hard because there are steep climbs especially towards the end of the track to the Berowra train station.

Important Information

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Start the walk early and try to finish it by afternoon.
This track is definitely for fit hikers and not for beginners.
Ensure to take your lunch for the track as there are no restaurants and cafes along the track. Even the train stations does not have any cafes so ensure to buy food in the city.
Take sufficient water as there are no water filling stations on the track. This is required and I cannot stress enough, especially on hot and humid days.
Wear comfortable and sturdy shoes as the walk is between Moderate and Hard grades.
Be prepared for a few steep climbs and rocks.
There are toilet facilities at train stations (Mt Ku-Ring-Gai and Berowra train stations). Note: These may be closed on the weekends.
Look out for abundant wildlife and the national park is a mecca for birdwatchers (it is recorded that there are around 160 bird species in the national park).
Visit National Park New South Wales (NSW) website for up-to-date information on the track.

Is it safe for solo hikers?

As a general rule, it is always advisable to hike with a buddy or group of people. It is best to have someone in case of unforeseen situations in the forest. Even though it is a well laid path, there could be places where one can get lost in the forest. And beware of the wildlife and do not harm them. There could be spiders, snakes and lizards. So be sure to watch before you keep your step.

Call the emergency numbers (000 or 112) if in case of problems. Also, it is best to have an “Emergency Plus” app in case there is no network to call the emergency numbers.

Why is it important to be fit for this track and be with a group?

I went on a hike with 24 more people (all strangers, I had not met anyone before) as part of a meetup group. The trail (10 kilometres) was in the bushes from Mt Ku-ring-Gai to Berowra. As part of the group, there was a lady who had joined and was attempting a bush hike for the first time. She had read the description that the organiser had put up which said Easy/Medium and had joined assuming she could do the hike. As and when we went deeper into the forest, she found it more difficult and started walking very slow all alone. As the organiser did not care and bother, I had to step in and accompany the lady. Because of which we lagged behind and we lost the group.

The two of us continued on the trail. It was frustrating at times as the pace was very slow but it was important for both of us to stay together. Also, she was so tired that she had started to lose her balance sometimes while walking. Just when we had about 2 kilometres left (a steep climb), we saw a man who was also part of our group. He was alone. He had run out of water, and was having a high heart rate. He was left behind by the group and luckily he had just enough phone battery to have had called for help.

As it was getting dark, I had to continue my walk leaving the two behind and literally run to complete the remaining 2 kilometres. My mind was constantly thinking about the two people whom I had left behind and I did not feel right leaving them behind. Hiking 101, you never leave your group behind. So I ran back to the place where they were. They were still sitting there in the same place and were both struggling to send their location to the cop who was trying to reach them.

Anyway long story short, a flashing boat with 5 NSW rescuers came for us. We were taken, in a rescue boat, to a bay where we were inquired by the cops. The man was thoroughly checked by an ambulance as well. Both of them are doing better now and we got out of the emergency situation.

But situation could have been worse. I can’t even imagine the worse situation. All I can say is do your research before attempting a hike. Don’t blindly go by the description, read about it.

Closing Notes

Even though the hike from Mt Ku-Ring-Gai to Berowra is challenging, it is one of the best hikes in Sydney and in Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National park. I would definitely suggest doing this hike. Also, ensure to observe the wild life in the national park.

For other hikes in the national park, refer my section Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park.