I’ve not done it for a few years (to my gain, haha) but if you park near the substation on Frith Road behind CSIRO there are (or used to be) clearly marked tracks to the summit of Black Mountain.
From memory a round trip would take about 40–50 minutes. Although, first time might take a bit longer because it’s a bit hard on the calves and I expect there’ll be a few rests.
You’ll need half decent footwear as the gravel can be quite coarse and slippery in parts.
After that, the track divides http://goo.gl/maps/M7Xop . Either take the left one which takes you straight up the hill, or take the right one which takes you along a more gradual track. If you take the latter you’ll reach an intersection with a few benches http://goo.gl/maps/xA4Ly . Take the left straight up the hill. Probably take water the first time, but after that the bathrooms in telstra tower have taps (before the gate, so you don;t need to pay)
I walk up the track regularly at a moderate pace, enough to make me huff and puff, and a round trip for me takes about 48 minutes. So I’d probably allow more time for a gentle pace and for breaks.
Well we made it up there without getting lost and without too many complaints from the 5 and 7 year old. We found a quick geocache on the way back down and it took us about an hour and 45 mins with a few rests. Didn’t see much wildlife, probably due to the constant excited chatter all the way. At least they scared off the snakes. Apparently Mount Ainslie is next!
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I’ve not done it for a few years (to my gain, haha) but if you park near the substation on Frith Road behind CSIRO there are (or used to be) clearly marked tracks to the summit of Black Mountain.
From memory a round trip would take about 40–50 minutes. Although, first time might take a bit longer because it’s a bit hard on the calves and I expect there’ll be a few rests.
You’ll need half decent footwear as the gravel can be quite coarse and slippery in parts.
See: http://goo.gl/maps/n8SQs
+1 what Holden Caufield said. Google maps thinks it takes 26min to do the 1.6km up the hill, and 16min to go back down.
Also, make sure you take plenty of water…
Haha, it certainly feels like a lot more than 1.6km on the ascent! And, yes, take water.
Thank you for the advice! I didn’t even think of google maps, that’s a great idea.
yep, as others have said, the substation near the csiro is the way to go http://goo.gl/maps/mGCrw . At the intersection, take a hard right http://goo.gl/maps/8YFea , which curves to the left and then there is a gate. http://goo.gl/maps/COjKf
After that, the track divides http://goo.gl/maps/M7Xop . Either take the left one which takes you straight up the hill, or take the right one which takes you along a more gradual track. If you take the latter you’ll reach an intersection with a few benches http://goo.gl/maps/xA4Ly . Take the left straight up the hill. Probably take water the first time, but after that the bathrooms in telstra tower have taps (before the gate, so you don;t need to pay)
I walk up the track regularly at a moderate pace, enough to make me huff and puff, and a round trip for me takes about 48 minutes. So I’d probably allow more time for a gentle pace and for breaks.
It’s a lovely walk, hope you enjoy it!
Holden Caulfield said :
It probably it, I don’t recall the track being quite so straight as on the map.
Well we made it up there without getting lost and without too many complaints from the 5 and 7 year old. We found a quick geocache on the way back down and it took us about an hour and 45 mins with a few rests. Didn’t see much wildlife, probably due to the constant excited chatter all the way. At least they scared off the snakes. Apparently Mount Ainslie is next!
Nice one.
I’ve never walked up Mt Ainslie, but walking up Red Hill (access from end of Flinders Way) is surprisingly difficult!
Holden Caulfield said :
Thats where I grew up.
Difficult? yeah right. Only time it’s difficult is when you walk through the magpie valley during spring. 5 swoopers in 3 trees.