North Arm Walking Track in Castle Cove

The North Arm Walking Track is an exciting walking trail in the suburb of Castle Cove that passes through beautiful Harbour-side bushland.

This is a moderately challenging 6.5 km long walking trail exploring a quiet part of Middle Harbour, with lovely views of Sugarloaf Bay to take in.

In this article, we will fill you in on the highlights of this track, how to get there, and where best to start.

North Arm Walking Track
Distance: 6.5 km (return)
Duration: 2.5 hours
Grade: Moderate (some steps, uneven surface)
Dogs: On a lead
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Getting There

Since the North Arm Walking Track is a return walk, there are two locations from where you can start hiking:

  1. Cammaray Road in Castle Cove (see map location).
  2. North Arm Road in Middle Cove (see map location).

It doesn’t really matter which location you pick, but in the below track notes, we are starting from Cammaray Road and walking westbound.

Below is a map of the North Arm Walking Track.

Map of the North Arm Walking Track

Track Notes

The North Arm Walking Track is a moderately challenging walking trail with several steep sections and sets of steps to conquer. Overall, the path is relatively easy to follow and is well-signposted.

Some sections of the track are a bit overgrown, and after some rainfall, the path can get quite muddy. We recommend wearing good hiking shoes for this trail.

1. The Start

Once you’ve parked your car on Cammaray Road, walk past the gate next to the information board to start this exciting hike.

Start of the North Arm Walking Track
Start of the North Arm Walking Track

The first part of the walk heads down on a steep, sealed road towards Sugarloaf Bay. This area is referred to as H.C. Press Park, which was once home to a dance hall, baths, and picnic shelters until 1964.

Closer to the water, the sealed road ends and the path continues as a bushwalking track.

2. Sugarloaf Bay

The walking track follows the foreshore of Sugarloaf Bay with several spots where you can enjoy views of Middle Harbour.

Sugarloaf Bay
Sugarloaf Bay

This section of the walking track includes a series of boardwalks and a creek crossing, meandering through a landscape with a great variety of plant and tree vegetation and wildlife.

North Arm Walking Track path
Path through the bush

The track soon hits an intersection with Willis Road, where you need to go straight ahead. But a short detour to a jetty at the water’s edge is definitely worth it.

3. Willis Road Jetty

Turn left at that intersection to pay a quick visit to that jetty, which offers fantastic views of Sugarloaf Bay.

Jetty at Sugarloaf Bay
Jetty at Sugarloaf Bay

There is also a wooden bench, making this jetty the perfect spot for a short break with perhaps a refreshing snack while enjoying the water views.

Back at the intersection, the walking track continues on a sealed road leading up to a sewerage pumping station. A fenced platform offers more water views but from a higher point.

Forest in the North Arm Track
Beautiful forest

The next section of the walking track is perhaps the most enjoyable, as it follows a path through a thriving She-Oak forest with a few creek crossings.

4. Scotts Creek Wooden Bridge

The track continues through the southern part of North Arm Reserve above the mangroves of Sugarloaf Bay and Scotts Creek.

Scotts Creek Wooden Bridge
Scotts Creek Wooden Bridge

After a brief stretch on a sealed road, the walking track continues into the bush, quickly descending to a wooden bridge over Scotts Creek.

Once you cross the bridge, the track ventures into a fascinating area of mangrove forests and mudflats, which supply nutrients to a diverse array of plants and animals.

Scotts Creek mangroves
Scotts Creek mangroves

From the mangroves, the track follows the southern side of the creek heading east, before a short but steep climb out of the creek valley.

5. Lookout

After completing this steep climb, the North Arm Walking Track ends at North Arm Road in the leafy suburb of Middle Cove.

Lookout on N Arm Road in Middle Cove
Lookout on N Arm Road in Middle Cove

Only moments away from this track access point is a nice lookout with a wooden bench. This lookout offers scenic views of the bay that Scotts Creek flows into.

Keen to continue hiking?

Walk to the end of North Arm Road, where you will find the start of the Harold Reid foreshore track, a family-friendly bushwalk that explores the Harold Reid Reserve with scenic Middle Harbour views to enjoy.

This walk will add approximately 4 km (return) to your hiking adventure. It’s a relatively easy walk and is worth the extra effort if you have the time and energy!

 

North Arm walking track in Castle Cove

 

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Author:

AJ Mens

AJ Mens is a digital publisher based in Sydney, Australia, and the editor-in-chief of Sydney Uncovered and Blue Mountains Uncovered.

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2 Comments
  1. Where can I obtain a copy of an old photo taken of an ancient boat (probably in the 1930s) which took dancers to an old (now demolished) dance hall in the North Arm Reserve Area. I think H C Press may have built the dance hall. I recently went on a bushwalk of that area and saw a plaque with the photo.

    Reply
    • Hi Joy, that’s an interesting story.

      I don’t have an answer to your question, but perhaps someone else reading this may be able to help out.

      Reply
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