Past adventure.
ADVENTURE REPORT
Last Sunday & Monday a group of hiking legends took on and smashed our latest NBREA Multiday Adventure MDA3. It was a two day hike along the next 32km stretch of the Great North Walk on Sydney’s northern fringe.
Twelve tackled day 1 from Hornsby to Crosslands, with six staying there and camping overnight. Five then continued onto Cowan the next day. Everyone was tested and pushed physically on both days and I’m sure on reflection really did enjoy the beauty, remoteness, and the challenge of the track. What an amazing achievement guys, you did it !!!
As for the track, what can I say? It was beautiful, varied, and tough. At times it seemed more of an obstacle course than a hike 😂. Ladders of iron hoops up & down rock faces, stone staircases, rock scrambles on steroids, steep climbs & ascents, and creek crossings were just some of the challenges along our journey.
Between these frequent obstacles were relaxing stretches of flat & undulating fire trails through forests of tall trees and narrow meandering bush tracks flanked with thick fern undergrowth or with grass trees or just scrubby bush. Knarled gum trees dotted the trail, each with its own character and scarred by a firery past but somehow living on and growing a thick skin over their previous burnt out trunks. We frequently walked past bolders and rock walls that dwarfed us by their sheer and weathered enormity. The valleys too with recent rains were bubbling with little streams and waterfalls which were picturesque but slippery and traversed with care. And Berowra Creek, that we met as a small trickle in the previous stage, became a frequent companion. It grew, as we progressed, into a majestic river of grand proportions.
Camping at Crosslands Reserve on Berowra Creek was an adventure too. A flat expanse of green grass with groves of trees. Sparsely populated, quiet and dark. All that could be heard that night was the ocasional snore of a tired hiker or the squeak of their lilo as they tossed and turned as they re-navigated the course in their dreams. Light overnight rain only helped to sooth us to sleep.
Congratulations and well done to …
- the Sunday Strollers: Dyese, Chantal, Farhad, Charm, Marian & Bernadette.
- the Happy Campers: Di, Sue, Les, Carmel, Steve & Nick; and
- the Day 2 Die-Hearts:Â Carmel, Sue, Les, Steve & Nick
Thank you all, for your great company, and for your unwavering determination.
Special thanks too, to Farhad, Carmel, Di & Sue for your generous help with the three different car shuffles that simplified the walk logistics.
Until next time …
Yours in adventure Nick
DETAILS
MAJOR REWRITE Friday 17-Apr-25.
A continuation of our journey along the amazing Great North Walk. This is our fourth part. You can participant in one of two ways …
OPTION 1: do the Full Adventure
A beautiful 32km bush hike across two days from Hornsby to Cowan with an overnight campout at Crosslands Reserve.
We meander through the Berowra Valley National Park along bush tracks and management trails. After a steep descent into Galston Gorge, we pick up and follow Berowra Creek which starts as a small stream and grows into a large inlet off the Hawksberry River. Crosslands Reserve (website, location) is on the creek a little further on and is a large open green space in the middle of the bush. It has basic recreation & camping facilities. It’s only a 10km drive from Hornsby, but it feels like a world away. Vehicle access to the reserve is blocked at night some 2.5km away up the hill, so the reserve should be very quiet, dark & uneventful. On day 2 we continue following the Berowra Creek and pass the small community of Berowra Waters. From there we commence our steep and undulating climb out of the valley to Cowan.
It’s not an easy walk with total elevation ascents of 980m and total elevation descents of 980m, but it’s a very pretty, quiet, and remote feeling walk. We start at Hornby Station and finish at Cowan Station.
Bring your own tent, sleeping gear, food for 2 days, first aid kit, and poles. Town water, picnic tables, electric BBQs, toilets, and rubbish bins are available at Crosslands. There are no showers. There is no reserve lighting, so be sure to pack your headlamp too. There are no electrical outlets.
An overnight camping fee is charged by Hornsby Council. It’s around $12pp. I’ll make a group booking when numbers are finalized and advise the cost.
A luggage transfer service in and out of Crosslands is available for those who don’t want to carry their overnight gear such as tent, sleeping bag, food, and cooking stuff. Please pack everything into one bag and drop it off at the Meetup Point no later than 8:15am. Let me know in advance if you intend to use this service. The luggage will be taken to Crosslands and left in a locked car before we head off. The next day it will be taken to Cowan for collection.
At the end of our two day hike we can share a celebratory drink and food, if you like, at the only cafe in Cowan, about 300m past the station.
Added 29-Apr …
A car shuffle has been organised to take walkers back to Hornsby from Cowan Station, where transport options are more frequent and diverse. If you’re coming by car, park at Hornsby.
OPTION 2: do the First Day Only
The first day only, Sunday 04-May, and the first 16.5km of the adventure as outlined above from Hornsby to Crosslands Reserve. Bring snacks, lunch, water, hat, first aid kit, and poles.
Added 29-Apr …
A car shuffle has been organised to take walkers back to Hornsby from Crosslands.
Please indicate which option you want to do in your registration comments, either the Full Adventure or the First Day Only.
MEETUP:
For both options, meet at the Brewhaha Cafe in Hornsby at 9am (opens at 8am), it’s 200m from the Station. Tap the Meetup Button below for directions on Google Maps.
Updated Thu 01 May …
Public transport is the recommended travel option for this adventure. If you do come by car, you can park for free in Frederick St here then walk 250m to the cafe. Be sure to check parking signs.
Hiking poles are recommended.
A special whatsapp group will be setup for registered & interested participants doing the full adventure to discuss & share the finer details.
Day 1:
Hornsby to Crosslands Reserve via Galston Gorge
16.1km +340m -530m
Day 1 route on Komoot.
Day 2:
Crosslands Reserve to Cowan
15.1km +640m -450m
Day 2 route on Komoot.
