We all know walking is good for us physically and mentally, and now the weather is cooling down, walking is a much more inviting prospect! The Western Echo asked locals their favourite walks in the western suburbs:
Mt Coot-tha Trails – Dogs on leash.
- Summit Track – 1.9km, 30min. Start JC Slaughter Falls Picnic Area, falls 600m in.
- Simpson Falls – 650m. Start Simpson Falls Picnic Area.
- Eugenia Circuit – 2.8km, 1.5hrs. Links to Simpson Falls viewing deck. Start Grey Gum Picnic area near Ch 7 Tower, Brush Box Picnic Area or Simpson Falls Picnic Area
- Moggill Rd – Channel 7 Tower – Python Loop: 4.7km, 1.5-2hrs, mod. Beautiful vegetation and bird-watching.
Keperra Bushland Reserve – Dogs on leash.
- Keperra Lookout: 2.5km, mod, Starts at end of Levitt Rd, stick on bitumen to reach the top for views over The Gap and Mt Coot-tha
- Keperra Bushland Circuit: 2.8km, 1-1.5hrs, difficult, steep, views and birdlife
Enoggera Creek Bikeway – Dog, bike and walker friendly.
- The Gap: The Gap shops to School Rd, along Waterworks Rd, or from Walton Bridge Reserve up Fish Creek track to Glenella St Park
- Ashgrove from intersection of Gresham St and Waterworks Rd, then through Ashgrove Sports Ground and Des Conner Park to Dorrington Park
Enoggera Reservoir – No dogs allowed.
- Araucaria Track: Start Walkabout Creek Info Centre (get track conditions and more info here), 5km return, 2-2.5hrs, mod, birdwatching and forest, swim after
- Peninsula Break: 7km
- Reservoir Break: 10.5km
- Holman’s Break Loop: 13km
Banks St Reserve Loop Walk – Dogs on leash.
- 4.3km, 1hr 15min. Mod. Access from Banks St, Quandong Park or Brown Parade. Beautiful bushland and Enoggera Creek.
Ithaca Creek Bikeway
- 1hr return, easy. Starts Glenrosa Rd, Ashgrove, past Broncos, to Glenn Harding Park, and can connect via some roads and tracks to Mt Coot-tha Bushland
Paten Rd, The Gap to Bardon – Dogs on leash.
- Paten Rd Track (easy) is only 400m, walking only
- Kulgun Circuit is 2.5km (moderate), walking only
- Quarry Trail (1.5km, mod), bikes and walking
Bellbird Grove Walking Tracks – No dogs allowed.
- Turrbal Circuit – 1.7km, 45 min, mod, beautiful bushland walk along Cedar Creek
- Golden Boulder Track – 1.8km return, 45 min, mod, gold mining history
- Mountain Bike trails – accessed 20m east of Turrbal Circuit start point
Ferny Grove Rail Trail to Samford Village – Dog, bike and horse-friendly.
- 5km. First 2.5km and McLean Rd-Samford Village wheelchair accessible.
- Start Ferny Grove Station along Lanita Rd for 2.5km before continuing along rail trail in bush (Lanita Crt on Google Maps), before popping out at McLean Rd. Continue, crossing Camp Mountain Rd, before turning left onto Petersen Rd then right on Camp Mountain Rd, arriving in Samford Village!
Ironbark Gully Tracks – Dogs on leash.
- Ironbark Gully Loop – 4km, mod, shared trail. Start Ironbark Gully Picnic Area
- Crebra Circuit – 900m, easy. Start Ironbark Gully Picnic Area
Others that were recommended include Toowong Cemetery, Bicentennial Bikeway River Walk, the Maiala walking tracks at Mt Glorious, and the walking tracks at Mt Nebo.
References:
www.aussiebushwalking.com/qld/se-qld/brisbane-citycouncil
www.parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks
www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/clean-and-green/natural-environmentand-water/bushlandreserves
Author: Evie Drinnan
Photo credits: Melanie Grevis-James; Andrea Mayer; Evie Drinnan.