West Head Army Track
Guringai Country

1 h to 1 h 30 min

720 m
return

↑ 88 m
↓ -88 m

Hard track
Start this walk from West Head Road parking area. The steep track leads down the West Head's eastern face to a historic army battery. 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. 
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Safer Bushwalks
Tips on staying safe on track
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.
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Getting There
Transport options and directions
Start (-33.5788545,151.3085647)
Mode Car
DirectionsFrom Mona Vale Road, A3
  • Turn on to then drive for 30 m
  • Turn slight left onto McCarrs Creek Road and drive for another 25 m
  • At roundabout, take exit 2 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 13.1 km
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Turn map Directions & comments
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. Side trip to West Head lookout. To start this optional side trip turn right here. On returning from this side trip turn right when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
Start.
Find the sign at the start.
After another 290 m come to the viewpoint (on your left).
After another 5 m turn right.
Continue another 55 m to find the end. Then turn around here and retrace the main route for 360 m to get back to the start.

Side trip to another army battery.
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
After another 40 m come to the end.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 40 m to the main route.

Side trip to West Head lookout.
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
Find the sign at the start.
After another 3 m veer right.
Then come to the "West Head Lookout" (on your left).
After another 10 m turn right.
After another 50 m find the "Lion Island View" (on your right).
Lion Island View
Lion Island View

The upper viewing platform at West Head Lookout provides great views framed by trees to Lion Island and surrounding waterways. There are a few bench seats and some information signs about the 'West Head Battery'. A lovely spot among the eucalypt and angophora forest.
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The upper viewing platform at West Head Lookout provides great views framed by trees to Lion Island and surrounding waterways. There are a few bench seats and some information signs about the 'West Head Battery'. A lovely spot among the eucalypt and angophora forest.

Then find the "Seat" (9 m on your right).
Seat
Seat

A series of 4 timber slat bench seats, 48cm high, 43cm deep and 2.1m wide with no backrest or armrest.
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A series of 4 timber slat bench seats, 48cm high, 43cm deep and 2.1m wide with no backrest or armrest.

After another 15 m find the "West Head Lookout" (on your left).
West Head Lookout
West Head Lookout

West Head Lookout, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park is a large paved sandstone viewing area with fantastic views and some interesting interpretive signs. The view spans across the Hawkesbury River to Lion Island to Patonga (Central Coast) also across the Pittwater to Barrenjoey Headland and out to sea. The lookout has a series of bench seats and a low (50cm) stone wall. A lovely place to just sit and soak up the views, and history of the area.
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West Head Lookout, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park is a large paved sandstone viewing area with fantastic views and some interesting interpretive signs. The view spans across the Hawkesbury River to Lion Island to Patonga (Central Coast) also across the Pittwater to Barrenjoey Headland and out to sea. The lookout has a series of bench seats and a low (50cm) stone wall. A lovely place to just sit and soak up the views, and history of the area.

Then pass the sign (on your left).
After another 6 m find the "Seat" (8 m on your left).
Seat
Seat

A series of 3 timber slat bench seats, 48cm high, 28cm deep, 2.1m wide, a 38cm back rest and no armrest.
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A series of 3 timber slat bench seats, 48cm high, 28cm deep, 2.1m wide, a 38cm back rest and no armrest.

After another 35 m come to the end.
About 15 m past the end is a sign.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 145 m to the main route.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities

West Head Army Track


Grading
Class 4/6
Hard track
Length 720 m
Time 1 h to 1 h 30 min
Quality of track Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient Very steep (4/6)
Signage Clearly signposted (2/6)
Infrastructure Limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) (4/6)
Experience Required Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather Foretasted & unexpected storms and severe weather may impact on navigation and safety (4/6)

Some facilities on route
Seat: There are 2 on route, on average they are 305 m apart with the largest gap of 720 m.


Order of key facilities on route
ItemFrom StartName & link to notes
Seat
0 m + 85 mSeat
Seat
0 m + 110 mSeat
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