Griffiths Trail Loop Walk

Best walk no. 30

Griffiths Trail Loop Walk

Grade 3
Griffiths Trail Loop Walk to a great lookout. A classic wildflower (seasonal) walk.
Barren Grounds NR
South Coast
Illawarra Branch
Tracknotes:
Points of interest:
Getting There:
Maps:
Conservation Issues:

Follow Griffiths Trail from the north-eastern corner of the car park. After about 1 km walking through forest and heath take a short path on the left signed to Illawarra Lookout. The lookout offers expansive views along the coast to Lake Illawarra and beyond.

Continue on the undulating Griffiths Trail to the observation platform at Saddleback trig (elev. 666 m) which gives great views over the heathland. In 700 m ignore the Kangaroo Ridge track and stay on Griffiths Trail to reach a natural stone bridge across Lamonds Creek. This is a fine spot for a break and cool in summer. After a slight climb, bear right to stay on Griffiths Trail to complete the circuit back to the car park.

If you wish to extend the walk, turn left after the stone bridge to follow the Cooks Nose track. This broad trail leads to a magnificent rock platform overlooking Broughton Head and Brogers Creek. This extension adds 5 km (return) to the walk.


Leader contact details and activity meeting details are hiden. Members please log in for full details.
17 Oct, Tue Barren Grounds
Grade:3/6 Length 10km  50m Southern Highlands Branch
David W.
Walk | A bushwalk of any kind short or long60 Best walks | This is one of the NPA's 60 best walks.Flying Fox accessed by a fire trail has the remains of the flying fox used to bring timber up from the valley. The walk then returns to the Cooks Nose Lookout a wonderful lunch spot. On the edge of the escarpment there are spectacular views. Rough track often wet, muddy and slippery, unfenced lookout.
Map: Robertson 90284N Limit: 20. Best Walk: Griffiths Trail Loop Walk View

17 Jun, Sat 8:50AM Barren Grounds
Grade:4/6 Length 20km  100m Southern Sydney Branch
Brian E.
Walk | A bushwalk of any kind short or longEducational | A trip where the leader will focus on teaching or training.Photography | A trip that has a strong focus on encouraging people to capture photographs.60 Best walks | This is one of the NPA's 60 best walks.A loop walk around the heath, enjoying the wildflowers of winter and whatever wildlife visits.
Location: Barren Grounds NR Limit: 12. Best Walk: Griffiths Trail Loop Walk View

22 Oct, Sun 9:00AM Barren Grounds in Spring
Grade:2/6 Length 10km  100m Southern Sydney Branch
Brian E.
Walk | A bushwalk of any kind short or longPhotography | A trip that has a strong focus on encouraging people to capture photographs.First time friendly | A trip that is perfect for most new members (assuming you have a reasonable level of fitness)60 Best walks | This is one of the NPA's 60 best walks.(Date Changed) Enjoy a slow walk around this montane heath country to explore the wildflowers and wildlife. Limit: 12. Best Walk: Griffiths Trail Loop Walk View

16 Apr, Sun Barren Grounds NR
Grade:3/6 Length 12km  200m Illawarra Branch
Graham B.
Walk | A bushwalk of any kind short or long60 Best walks | This is one of the NPA's 60 best walks.Easter Sunday walk. Griffiths Trail Circuit and Cooks Nose. Usualy great views if not too misty and check which flowers are blooming in Autumn. Phone before 8:30pm or e-mail to register. Limit: 20. Map: Robertson Best Walk: Griffiths Trail Loop Walk View

1 Oct, Sun 9:00AM Barren Grounds NR
Grade:3/6 Length 13km  200m Illawarra Branch
Graham B.
Walk | A bushwalk of any kind short or long60 Best walks | This is one of the NPA's 60 best walks.Our annual springtime walk to view the wildflowers at their peak. Griffiths Trail Circuit and Cooks Nose Lookout. Great views to the south Illawarra Coast. Combined activity with Illawarra Ramblers. Click here to check the 'Gong trail guide. Cliff edges, one creek crossing.
Map: Robertson 90284N Limit: 20. Best Walk: Griffiths Trail Loop Walk View

17 Feb, Sat 9:00AM Barren Grounds Walk
Grade:3/6 Length 20km  200m Southern Sydney Branch
Brian E.
Walk | A bushwalk of any kind short or long60 Best walks | This is one of the NPA's 60 best walks.First time friendly | A trip that is perfect for most new members (assuming you have a reasonable level of fitness)A loop walk to include the Cooks Nose sector. Stunning views, of course, and the banksias should be in full bloom. Note that this is a replacement walk to cover the track closures in place at Carrington Falls.
Location: Barren Grounds NR Limit: 12. Best Walk: Griffiths Trail Loop Walk View

16 Oct, Tue 9:30AM Flying Fox and Cooks Nose
Grade:3/6 Length 10km  200m Southern Highlands Branch
David W.
Walk | A bushwalk of any kind short or long60 Best walks | This is one of the NPA's 60 best walks.Flying Fox accessed by a fire trail has the remains of the flying fox used to bring timber up from the valley. The walk then returns to the Cooks Nose Lookout a wonderful lunch spot. On the edge of the escarpment there are spectacular views. Rough track often wet, muddy and slippery, unfenced lookout.
Location: Barren Grounds NR
Map: Robertson 90284N Limit: 20. Best Walk: Griffiths Trail Loop Walk View

18 Sep, Tue 9:30AM Griffith Walk
Grade:3/6 Length 8km  200m Southern Highlands Branch
Joan L.
Walk | A bushwalk of any kind short or long60 Best walks | This is one of the NPA's 60 best walks.Griffiths Walk is a circuit walk through varied vegetation including forest and open heathland. A short detour to a lookout gives views along the coast. There are many birds and a lovely lunch spot by the creek. Rough track, slippery rocks and creek crossing.
Location: Barren Grounds NR
Map: Robertson 90284N Limit: 20. Best Walk: Griffiths Trail Loop Walk View


Sorry, this is a newly submitted Walk is in waiting for review before it will be made public.

4 thoughts on “Griffiths Trail Loop Walk”

  1. Sam Garrett-Jones
    says:
    07/23/2017 at 6:49 am
    Reply

    Check out NPA walks leader Jenae Johnston’s photos, video and info here:
    https://bushwalkthegong.com/home/griffiths-loop-trail/

  2. Sam Garrett-Jones
    says:
    07/23/2017 at 7:14 am
    Reply

    And Brian Everingham’s 2015 article from NATURE NSW about the significance of the upland swamp environment:
    https://www.dropbox.com/s/411qf3zhkz8c6q7/Barren%20Grounds%20Nature%20Reserve.pdf?dl=0

  3. Sam Garrett-Jones
    says:
    07/23/2017 at 7:23 am
    Reply

    A wonderful Spring display of waratah at Barren Grounds.

  4. Sam Garrett-Jones
    says:
    07/23/2017 at 7:35 am
    Reply

    Here’s a GPS track of the Griffiths Trail Loop with optional extension to Cooks Nose:
    https://www.dropbox.com/s/rdegkcriy9khjlw/Barren%20Grounds%20NR_%20Cooks%20Nose_28-9-2014.gpx?dl=0

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