Starting from the end of Kathner Street, Chapman, this walk takes you on a circuit around Cooleman Ridge Nature Reserve mostly via Bicentennial National Trail and Cutoff Drain Fire Trail. You’ll be enjoying the panoramic views over Bullen Range and beyond on the first half of the walk. As you turn and skirt around the perimeters of the reserve, the district of Weston Creek will come into your view. You can even see the Telstra Tower from here if you position yourself correctly. Expect lots of birds and kangaroos throughout the journey. Keep in mind that horse riding is allowed on marked equestrian trails. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
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.
Turn on to Hindmarsh Drive Offramp then drive for 510 m
Keep right onto Hindmarsh Drive Offramp and drive for another 80 m
Turn right onto Hindmarsh Drive and drive for another 4 km
Keep left and drive for another 360 m
Turn right onto Kathner Street and drive for another 540 m
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started From the intersection of Kathner Street and Percy Crescent, head towards the horse stile with metal railings next to a white “Park Care Landcare Activity” sign. Pass through the stile and join the dirt track, moving parallel to the fenceline. About 80 metres in(from the stile)keep right and follow the lower track to continue along Cooleman Ridge BNT Circuit.....
Turn map
Directions & comments
At the intersection of Kathner Street & Percy Crescent Start heading along Kathner Street (a residential road).
After another 35 m veer left.
Then head through/around the gate.
After another 90 m continue straight, to head along Cooleman Ridge BNT.
Keep right.
After another 240 m continue straight.
Then head up the very steep (10% ~ 5.7°) surface|grass incline (about 620 m long)
Veer right, to head along Cooleman Ridge BNT.
Then head down the very steep (16% ~ 9.1°) earthen incline (about 190 m long)
Then head through/around the gate.
After another 470 m continue straight, to head along Cooleman Ridge BNT.
After another 45 m cross the ford.
After another 85 m (at the intersection of Cooleman Ridge BNT & Dam Fire Trail) continue straight, to head along Cooleman Ridge BNT.
After another 740 m (at the intersection of Cooleman Ridge BNT & Darrell Place FT) continue straight, to head along Cooleman Ridge BNT.
After another 650 m continue straight.
After another 520 m continue straight.
Then head up the very steep (14% ~ 8°) earthen incline (about 330 m long)
Continue straight.
Keep left.
After another 15 m head through/around the gate.
After another 75 m head up the very steep (12% ~ 6.8°) earthen incline (about 30 m long)
Turn right.
After another 315 m continue straight.
After another 50 m turn left.
The starting point of an alternate route. An alternate, more challenging route visiting the summit of Mount Arawang, providing you with better views over the ACT. A moderate level of fitness is recommended. To take the alternate route turn left here. Details below.
After another 530 m continue straight.
After another 970 m head through/around the gate.
The alternate route finishes here. Turn left to rejoin the main route at the 5.8 km waypoint. Details below.
After another 9 m continue straight, to head along Cutoff Drain Fire Trail.
After another 170 m continue straight, to head along Cutoff Drain Fire Trail.
After another 470 m veer right, to head along Cutoff Drain Fire Trail.
After another 65 m (at the intersection of Cutoff Drain Fire Trail & Steep Fire Trail) continue straight, to head along Cutoff Drain Fire Trail.
After another 470 m continue straight, to head along Cutoff Drain Fire Trail.
After another 310 m continue straight, to head along Cutoff Drain Fire Trail.
After another 60 m turn right, to head along Cutoff Drain Fire Trail.
After another 155 m (at the intersection of Cutoff Drain Fire Trail & Guinness Fire Trail) continue straight, to head along Cutoff Drain Fire Trail.
After another 500 m continue straight, to head along Cutoff Drain Fire Trail.
After another 185 m continue straight, to head along Cutoff Drain Fire Trail.
After another 70 m continue straight, to head along Cutoff Drain Fire Trail.
After another 250 m (at the intersection of Cutoff Drain Fire Trail & Dam Fire Trail) veer right, to head along Cutoff Drain Fire Trail.
After another 165 m continue straight, to head along Cutoff Drain Fire Trail.
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to the summit of Cooleman Hill. Keep in mind that this side trip involves lots of steps. To start this optional side trip veer left here. On returning from this side trip continue straight when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 210 m continue straight, to head along Cutoff Drain Fire Trail.
After another 315 m continue straight, to head along Cutoff Drain Fire Trail.
After another 200 m veer left, to head along Cutoff Drain Fire Trail.
After another 165 m continue straight.
After another 120 m continue straight.
After another 180 m head through/around the gate.
Continue straight, to head along Percy Crescent.
After another 10 m come to the end.
An alternate, more challenging route visiting the summit of Mount Arawang, providing you with better views over the ACT. A moderate level of fitness is recommended.
Turn map
Directions & comments
Start.
After another 630 m continue straight.
After another 20 m pass the "Mount Arawang" (6 m on your right).
After another 285 m come to the end.
At the end of this alternate route, rejoin the main route.
An optional side trip to the summit of Cooleman Hill. Keep in mind that this side trip involves lots of steps.
Turn map
Directions & comments
Start.
Then cross the bridge (about 4 m long)
Then head down the earthen steps (about 115 m long)
After another 25 m come to the end.
"Cooleman Hill".
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 150 m to the main route.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities
Cooleman Ridge BNT Circuit
Grading
Class 3/6
Moderate track
Length
9.8 km
Time
2 h 45 min to 4 h 30 min
Quality of track
Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
Gradient
Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage
Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure
Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (2/6)
Experience Required
Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather
Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
