This walk was organised and led by me as a private walk for me. Drive to Mugga Way, opposite the T-intersection with La Perouse St.

Walk

I know this is not bushwalking, but I am currently really enjoying the Canberra Nature Park Nature Reserves. The map for the Red Hill Nature Reserve is here. As well, if I'm going to do 25km and 1200m climb with an overnight pack on 9 Jan, I'd best get into training.

There's a large dirt car park off Mugga Way, just opposite the T-intersection with La Perouse St. The excuse to do this NR was to take work mail to my boss, who lives nearby. Through the entrance and NW up the obvious trail to the track junction at the saddle in the ridge. Wonderfully green, quite windy, but not too hot. Views off the NE shoulder of the ridge to Civic, the parliamentary triangle, Lake Burley Griffin, Russell Offices, Jerrabomberra Wetlands and the Canberra Airport. Views to the W over Woden, with the Tidbinbilla Ridge at the back (see Facebook). Federal Golf Course looked greener than green - particularly the greens. Another track generally NW up to the side of the Red Hill Restaurant. Track, then footpad on the W side of the fence, past the reservoir and across Red Hill Drive. Here, near the communications tower, is the marked, real Red Hill (see Facebook).

W then SW following pads and trails, crossing Red Hill Drive and Gowrie Drive near their intersection, then down the spur to the back of the government building on Kent St. Then NE across the back of the houses in Deakin, sometimes in the NR and at other times following the storm water drain and contour bank. This N end of the NR a little dryer than the S end. Across Gowrie Drive again.

Then generally SE across the back of the houses in Mugga Way Forrest. Some lovely little shacks here. Curved up a track about W of the Canberra Grammar School to take me back up to the track junction.

Next, S up the track (see pic 1) to Davidson Hill trig. Wonderful views, particularly to Parliament House with the good old Aussie flag stiffly at right angles to the pole (see Facebook)! Continued S and SE along the spine of the NR. Lovely open grasslands and beautiful specimens of eucalypts here (see pic 2 and Facebook) in the S end of the NR. Turning around, a lovely view back along the ridgeline (see pic 3). Down to near Hindmarsh Drive, then W down its side until a convenient entry point and track took me back up N to Davidson Hill trig again. Tummy rumbles for tea caused me to trundle directly down to the car, deliver the mail and head for home.

Very pleasant.

Distance: 11.2km  Climb: 350m.  Time: 3.40-6.00pm (call it 2.3hrs) with no stops.
Grading: M/E; E(7)

KMZ file for Google Earth/Maps: Red Hill Nature Reserve