Starting from Sulwood Drive, Kambah, this circuit walk takes you to the summit of Mount Taylor via Mt. Taylor Hill Climb Walking Track. Descending via the Zig Zag Track, it then follows a creek back to the start. Elevate yourself from the busy city with a peaceful but challenging hike through the woodland, and enjoy the panoramic views all over Canberra from the top. You can also birdwatch as there are lots of bird species flying above the reserve, magpies and raptors being some of them. Kangaroos may also make an appearance along the way, so hold on to your dog's leash just in case. The area tends to be busy on the weekends, so try to schedule the walk on a weekday if you want to avoid the crowd. 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.
Getting started From Sulwood Drive(60 metres southeast of intersection with Mannheim Street), head towards the trail that’s going uphill, the entrance of which is marked by the two “No Parking Emergency Vehicles Only” signs. Leave the car park and join the dirt trail veering right, as it leads you to the signposted metal gate up the hill. Pass through the gap between the gray and brown metal poles, then cross the creek to continue along Mount Taylor Zig Zag Descent Circuit.....
Turn map
Directions & comments
Start.
Find the car park at the start.
After another 45 m head through/around the gate.
Veer right.
Then cross the bridge (about 4 m long)
After another 125 m (at the intersection of Mrs Lows Fire Trail & Sulwood Fire Trail) continue straight, to head along Mrs Lows Fire Trail.
After another 125 m (from the Mrs Lows Fire Trail) veer left, to head along Mrs Lows Fire Trail.
After another 100 m (from the Mrs Lows Fire Trail) continue straight (a walking track).
After another 20 m (from the Mt Taylor Hill Climb) veer left, to head along Mt Taylor Hill Climb.
After another 540 m pass a seat (on your right)., has a backrest.
After another 85 m head up the surface|paved steps (about 40 m long)
After another 15 m head up the surface|paved steps (about 25 m long)
After another 480 m (from the Summit Fire Trail) continue straight (a walking track).
After another 65 m pass the "Mount Taylor" (10 m on your left).
Continue straight.
After another 20 m pass a seat (on your right).
After another 920 m cross the bridge (about 5 m long)
The starting point of an alternate access track. An alternate access point from/to Parkhill Street, Pearce. Details below.
After another 1 m (from the Mt Taylor Zig Zag) turn right.
After another 690 m continue straight.
After another 460 m (from the Mrs Lows Fire Trail) turn right, to head along Mrs Lows Fire Trail.
Then cross the bridge (about 10 m long)
After another 35 m (at the intersection of Mrs Lows Fire Trail & Mt Taylor Hill Climb) continue straight, to head along Mrs Lows Fire Trail.
After another 8 m pass the sign (4 m on your right).
After another 8 m (from the Mrs Lows Fire Trail) veer left, to head along Mrs Lows Fire Trail.
After another 100 m (from the Mrs Lows Fire Trail) veer right, to head along Mrs Lows Fire Trail.
After another 125 m (at the intersection of Sulwood Fire Trail & Mrs Lows Fire Trail) continue straight.
After another 125 m cross the bridge (about 3 m long)
After another 3 m veer left.
After another 60 m come to the end.
An alternate access point from/to Parkhill Street, Pearce.
Turn map
Directions & comments
From the Mt Taylor Zig Zag Start heading along Mt Taylor Zig Zag (a walking track).
After another 30 m (from the Mt Taylor Zig Zag) continue straight (a vehicle track).
After another 195 m come to the end.
+
-
Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities
Mount Taylor Zig Zag Descent
Grading
Class 4/6
Hard track
Length
4.3 km
Time
1 h 30 min to 2 h 15 min
Quality of track
Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
Gradient
Very steep (4/6)
Signage
Clearly signposted (2/6)
Infrastructure
Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (2/6)
Experience Required
No experience required (2/6)
Weather
Weather generally has little impact on safety (2/6)
Some facilities on route
Seat: There are 2 on route, on average they are 1.4 km apart with the largest gap of 2.6 km.