This is the main walk around Manly Dam, and is popular for both walkers and bike riders. Prepare for spectacular views from both sides of the dam, along well managed trails. Good spots to break include the picnic areas on King St. Features of this walk include walking the bridge across the top of the dam and the beach on the north side. Watch out for bike riders as this is a shared track.
Cross sectional view of the Manly Dam Circuit Walk bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Manly Dam Circuit Walk bushwalking track
Overview of this walks Grading - Based on the AS 2156.1 - 2001
These details are new. This new feature still requires more testing and refining. Please use the 'Walker Feedback' for report specific issues. Please e-mail Matt if you have any general comments. Hope you find it helpful.
Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.
Length
7km
Time
3 hrs
.
Grade 3/6
Track: Moderate
AS 2156.1
Gradient
Short steep hills (3/6)
Quality of track
Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Signs
Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Experience Required
Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather
Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
Infrastructure
Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
*This summary of grading information is new and still in testing
Some more detail of this walks Grading
Here is a bit more details explaining the grading looking at sections of the walk. Gradient
Around 6km of this walk has short steep hills, whilst the remaining 890m has gentle hills with occasional steps.
Quality of track
Around 4.6km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail, whilst the remaining 2.7km follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.
Signs
Around 7km of this walk is clearly signposted, whilst the remaining 760m has directional signs at most intersection.
Experience Required
Around 4km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 3.3km requires no previous bushwalking experience.
Weather
This whole walk, 7km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
Around 7km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 780m is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).
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(0 km)
Manly Dam South Bank
to
Int of Water Reserve Bushtrack and Nature Trail Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 136 m
Time = 3 mins
Climb = 12 m
Descent = 0 m
From the south end of Manly Dam, this walk heads south through the park and crosses King St near the car parking area. The walk follows the bush track up the steps, following the signs 'McComb Hill Track' and 'Nature Trail'. A short way up the hill, the track comes to an intersection signposted as the 'Mc Comb Hill Nature Trail'.
(0.14 km)
Int of Water Reserve Bushtrack and Nature Trail
to
Int of Nature Trail and North Balgowlah track Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 923 m
Time = 22 mins
Climb = 60 m
Descent = -37 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads west along the narrow bush track for approximately 100m before passing an intersection of the McComb Hill walk. (This is currently under revegetation and there are signs stating walkers should not take this route.) This walk heads west, passing by the small trails that lead up the hill south (these are not official trails and should be avoided), and climbs a number of rock staircases. Along the way, there are some good views over Manly Dam, and many signs offering information on the flora and fauna. The track passes close to a few cliff edges (due care required). After some time, the walk comes to an intersection marked with a green sign saying 'Balgowlah Track'.
(1.06 km)
Int of Nature Trail and North Balgowlah track
to
End of King St Picnic Area Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 520 m
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 6 m
Descent = -35 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads north, gradually descending along the narrow bush track. There are many informative signposts and some good examples of the flora of the local area. Soon the walk comes to a very clear intersection signposted as the "Nature Trail / Wildflower Walk". Turn left: From the intersection, this walk heads north along a narrow but well-maintained bush track, until coming to an intersection with a 'Wildflower Walk' signpost. (There is a small track off to the left heading up to Wakehurst Golf Course, ignore this). The walk continues to head north-west along the bush track until coming to an intersection just to the north of the end of the King St and a picnic area.
(1.58 km)
End of King St Picnic Area
to
Int of Circuit and Curl Curl Tracks Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 1.99 km
Time = 35 mins
Climb = 40 m
Descent = -19 m
Turn left: From the picnic area,this walk heads alongside Manly Dam, following a narrow track with high vegetation on either side. The track crosses several wetter areas, where footbridges have been installed. At the end of Manly Dam, the walk follows the creek further north, past some waterfalls and holes - the smaller waterholes are quite picturesque. The main waterfall is quite sheltered by vegetation and somewhat hidden from the main track. The walk comes to an intersection with a wide management trail.
(3.57 km)
Int of Circuit and Curl Curl Tracks
to
Int of Circuit and Retirement Home Tracks Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 755 m
Time = 17 mins
Climb = 46 m
Descent = -14 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Circuit Track' sign along the management trail, away from Wakehurst Parkway. The trail immediately bends to the right and crosses Manly Creek. Soon, it heads up a small hill and turns back to the south. The walk soon comes to an intersection with another management trail, uphill on the left.
(4.32 km)
Int of Circuit and Retirement Home Tracks
to
Int of Roosevelt Rd and Circuit Tracks Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 890 m
Time = 20 mins
Climb = 45 m
Descent = -46 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads south-east along the management trail, passing an intersection with a small track, before coming to an intersection with a track, and an 'Allambie Heights Town Centre' sign[1].
(5.21 km)
Int of Roosevelt Rd and Circuit Tracks
to
Int of Circuit and Southern Cross Servicetrail Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 904 m
Time = 18 mins
Climb = 13 m
Descent = -62 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads south-east along the smaller track, downhill. The track bends to the north-east, making its way around a small inlet. The track crosses some wetter areas on boardwalk bridges, turning back to the south and soon coming to an intersection with another track on the left (that heads up to Southern Cross Way.)
(6.12 km)
Int of Circuit and Southern Cross Servicetrail
to
Int of Circuit and Nyrang Rd Tracks Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 320 m
Time = 6 mins
Climb = 3 m
Descent = -7 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads south along the track until reaching an intersection with a management trail, and 'Nyrang Road' signs[2].
(6.44 km)
Int of Circuit and Nyrang Rd Tracks
to
Int of King St Circuit Alternative Route and Circuit Track Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 572 m
Time = 11 mins
Climb = 21 m
Descent = -10 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads west down the rough management trail, in the opposite direction to the 'Nyrand Road' arrow[3]. After approximately 100m, the trail comes to the beach on Manly Dam. The trail turns left and heads south along the waters' edge, soon joining up with a boardwalk and track. The track then climbs gently away from the water, and comes to an intersection with another track, signposted 'Alternate Track to Picnic Areas via King St'[4].
(7.01 km)
Int of King St Circuit Alternative Route and Circuit Track
to
Manly Dam North Bank Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 98 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -15 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads south, down the track towards the water until reaching the northern end of Manly Dam wall.
(7.11 km)
Manly Dam North Bank
to
Manly Dam South Bank Walk: Easy - footpath
Length = 236 m
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 5 m
Descent = -10 m
Continue straight: From the northern bank of Manly Dam, this walk heads across the top of the dam wall, offering some impressive views of the dam and the parklands from very close to water level. The walk continues to the southern bank of the dam.
Fire Danger This walk passes Greater Sydney Region fire area which currently has a NONE rating and No Ban in place. (Downloaded 37 minutes ago) Please Note: Each park may have its own fire ban status, this rating is based on information from the RFS and BOM.
Manly Warringah War Memorial Park (Manly Dam) In 1892 the CUrl Curl creek was dammed to for a water reservoir for Manly village, over the years the wall was raised till it held 2 mega litres. Now a War Memorial Park it boasts a series of picnic areas along the western shoreline, with children play areas and other facilities. There are also a number of walking and cycling tracks around the lake. The lake is used by powered and unpowered boats, and can be quite busy on hot weekend days. Region: Sydney & surrounds I am not aware of any closures in this park at the moment.
Manly Dam is a nice place to bushwalk around, with lots of native flora and fauna. We tried to follow the directions on this walk however had great difficulty understanding the sometimes vague directions. eg. instructing us to "go west" at a signposted intersection instead of simply telling us which trail to follow. We also didn't come across many of the signposts that the walk notes advised us we would, and spent quite a lot of time trying to figure things out for ourselves. Perhaps the walk notes were out of date - it'd be a big help to redo this again.
We tried to follow the directions on this walk however had great difficulty understanding the sometimes vague directions. eg. instructing us to "go west" at a signposted intersection instead of simply telling us which trail to follow.
Hi Natalie
Thanks for the feedback.
Sorry about the notes, they are just over 3 years old and already on my 're-walk' list. I have heard that they have put in a bunch of new signposts about a year ago.
Hope you enjoyed the walk anyway.
Matt :)
Hi, I really love trail running and was hoping to give this path a go on the weekend. Does anyone know if there are water fountains or taps anywhere along the path (I really hate running with a water bottle).
Thanks
Tarn
Hi, I really love trail running and was hoping to give this path a go on the weekend. Does anyone know if there are water fountains or taps anywhere along the path (I really hate running with a water bottle).
Thanks
Tarn
Hi Tarn
I think there may be some near the start (at the picnic area), but not 100% sure. None on the actual track.
Sorry
Matt :)
Hiking near Sydney 
NEW
Track: Moderate
1 km
not too much longer now :)