This walk makes a circuit from West Head Rd around the Salvation Loop track in Ku-ring-gai Chase NP. The walk passes through wet heathland vegetation and around a hanging swamp. The thick heath vegetation along the track means that the views are mostly restricted, however it is still a nice walk with wildflowers in spring, plenty of scribbly gums and some rock outcrops to explore. The full length of this walk is on road or well-defined management trail. Let us begin by acknowledging the Guringai people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
Salvation Loop picnic area. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2009.Salvation Loop picnic tables. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2009.West Head Rd near Salvation picnic area. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2009.Salvation Creek from West Head Rd. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2009.Salvation Loop north track head. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2009.Banksia Ericifolia on the Salvation Loop track. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2009.Wildflowers on the Salvation Loop track. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2009.Dense heath along the Salvation Loop track. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2009.Eucalypt hanging over the Salvation Loop track. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2009.Eucalypt beside the Salvation Loop track. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2009.View over the Salvation Loop hanging swamp. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2009.A stretch of the Salvation Loop track. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2009.Rocky outcrop on the Salvation Loop track. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2009.Easy walking on the Salvation Loop track. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2009.Wildflowers at the edge of the Salvation Loop track. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2009.Dense low heath vegetation along the Salvation Loop track. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2009.Salvation Loop south track head. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2009.West Head Rd near the Salvation Loop track. | Photo by Matt McClelland (wildwalks), 2009.
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.
Car (A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.)
Directions
From
Turn on to Booralie Road then drive for 80 m
At roundabout, take exit 1 onto McCarrs Creek Road and drive for another 5 km
Turn left onto West Head Road and drive for another 350 m
Turn slight left onto West Head Road and drive for another 4.7 km
Turn right and drive for another 25 m
+
-
Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started From the 'Salvation Picnic Area' (on West Head Rd, about 3.6km north from the intersection with General San Martin Dr), the walk follows the road, crossing the bridge over Salvation Creek, leaving the picnic area on the right, and soon arrives at the northern trackhead of the 'Salvation Loop Track'.....
Turn map
Directions & comments
Start.
After 15 m find the "Salvation Picnic Area" (6 m on your left).
Salvation Picnic Area
Salvation Picnic Area
The Salvation Picnic Area is beside West Head Rd in the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, about 3.6km north of the intersection of West Head Rd and General San Martin Dr.
The picnic area has three picnic benches and a car park. There are no other facilities.
This is a convenient point to start/finish the nearby Salvation Loop, Wallaroo and Yeomans walks.
+
-
The Salvation Picnic Area is beside West Head Rd in the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, about 3.6km north of the intersection of West Head Rd and General San Martin Dr.
The picnic area has three picnic benches and a car park. There are no other facilities.
This is a convenient point to start/finish the nearby Salvation Loop, Wallaroo and Yeomans walks.
After another 10 m turn right.
After another 215 m find the "Salvation Loop hanging swamp" (40 m on your left).
Salvation Loop hanging swamp
Salvation Loop hanging swamp
The Salvation Loop hanging swamp is enclosed within the Salvation Loop Track, off West Head Rd in the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, about 3.6km north of the intersection of West Head Rd and General San Martin Dr. This area of hanging swamp (swamp formed in a depression on high ground, usually near a cliff) and wet heathland is dificult to see from the surrounding Salvation Loop track due to the drier, tall, dense heath vegetation surrounding it. It may, however, reward the patient, or lucky, observer with the plant and animal life associated with this habitat type, such as reeds and frogs.
+
-
The Salvation Loop hanging swamp is enclosed within the Salvation Loop Track, off West Head Rd in the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, about 3.6km north of the intersection of West Head Rd and General San Martin Dr. This area of hanging swamp (swamp formed in a depression on high ground, usually near a cliff) and wet heathland is dificult to see from the surrounding Salvation Loop track due to the drier, tall, dense heath vegetation surrounding it. It may, however, reward the patient, or lucky, observer with the plant and animal life associated with this habitat type, such as reeds and frogs.
After another 90 m turn left.
After another 1.5 km continue straight.
After another 1.7 km turn sharp left.
After another 530 m turn right.
After another 25 m come to the end.
+
-
Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities
Salvation Loop Track
Grading
Class 3/6
Moderate track
Length
4.1 km
Time
1 h 15 min to 1 h 30 min
Quality of track
Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
Gradient
Gentle hills with occasional steps (2/6)
Signage
Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure
Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required
Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather
Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
