Forest Loop Walk
A circumnavigation of Black Mountain's summit. Starts and finishes at the parking area half-way up Black Mountain Drive. Easy to moderate difficulty.
Find out more in the Forest Loop track notes and map (810.6 KB) .
Distance: 2km return
Time suggested: 1 hour
Little Black Mountain Walk
Follows management trails with some short, moderately steep sections. Easy to moderate difficulty.
Start from the Belconnen Way entrance, walk uphill on Orchid Trail then take the second left onto Link Trail. Follow this to its intersection with Little Black Mountain Trail, where you’ll turn left. Avoid a right turn (this is the way you’ll come back) then follow a clockwise circuit, taking a right at each of the next 4 junctions before a last left takes you back to the intersection passed earlier. Return the way you came.
Admire open forest, birds and spring flowers including orchids, as well as views over the parliamentary triangle and the inner northern suburbs.
Distance: 5.2km return (1.4km each way to the start of the circuit, which is 2.4km)
Time suggested: 2 hours
Link Walk
Easy on uneven trails with a narrow walkway. Mildly undulating, with moderate uphill sections. Cycling not permitted on walkway.
At the Belconnen Way entry, walk straight ahead along Orchid Track. At the Caswell Drive end, turn left onto a walking track, which becomes a concrete walkway. Turn left again at the junction with Finnerans Trail (sometimes wrongly labelled Old Weetangera Road). When you reach the Link Trail, turn left and, when you reach the Orchid Trail again, turn right to return to the car park.
Admire open forest, 2 stands of Black Cypress Pine, spring flowers and birds.
Distance: 3km return
Time suggested: 1 hour
Summit Walk
Climb is steady, quite steep in some sections, with a flat section midway.
From the Australian National Botanic Gardens, follow signs to the side gate, then signs to Summit Trail. Or from Frith Road electricity substation, walk uphill and follow the sign to Summit Trail.
Admire dry forest and impressive views to the north and east.
Distance: 2.4km round trip, plus 300m each way from electricity substation on Frith Road or 5.4km round trip from Australian National Botanic Gardens visitor centre.
Time suggested: 1.5 hours
