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1. Leg 1
Leg 1: Regatta Point to Waldock St, Mount Taylor north side – download printable pdf version
The start line is at Regatta Point, on the North side of Lake Burley Griffin, on the grass directly in front of the Canberra Business Events Centre.Follow, and stick to, the lakeside path heading West and turn right approx. 100m after passing under Commonwealth Ave Bridge (0.6K) to cross Barrine Dr and join the ramp up onto the Bridge. At the South end of the Bridge (1.04K) turn right onto the bike path ramp leading down from the Bridge and then right again 50m later at the T-junction (1.09K), to follow the bike path running adjacent to Flynn Dr. The path passes Nara Peace Park (toilets, 1.6K), swings to the right near the roundabout (RDBT; approx. 1.9K) and you then turn immediately left (1.93K) to cross Alexandrina Dr to follow the bike path up towards Parliament House. This path crosses Forster Cres (2.25K), passes under 2 roads (2.37 and 2.60K) and then narrows and climbs more steeply.
Turn right at the first path junction (2.82K) and then right again when you reach Parliament House (3.01K) to follow the grassy path on the right-hand side (RHS) of the road. After approximately 200m (3.22K) turn right at the first road (Melbourne Ave) to stay on the RHS footpath, which crosses a bridge and leads down to a pedestrian crossing/lights at State Circle (3.43K). After crossing State Circle follow the footpath uphill on the RHS of Melbourne Ave, taking care crossing Somers Cres (3.57K), National Cct (3.8K), Dominion Cct (3.95K), Empire Cct (4.10K), and then Gawler Cres (4.4K) at the traffic island (at end of Canberra Girls Grammar School), and heading across to the RHS footpath towards Red Hill. After approx. 150m (4.53K) cross Stonehaven Cres at the RDBT to join the grassy verge on the RHS of Red Hill Dr. and then 130m later (4.66K) turn right immediately after crossing the bridge to join a dirt single track (ST) which then merges with the wider Deakin Fire Reserve Trail. After approx. 1K (5.65K) turn left at the Rutidosis Track sign to climb through a metal fence and then 20m later turn right to head steeply up the C. Russell Track.
Turn left at the next T-jn (5.79K) to continue uphill on a gravel road and then 100m later (5.89K) turn left again at the saddle track intersection to head steeply uphill once again. After passing through a metal stile (6.17K) take care crossing Gowrie Dr (6.20K), head up the stairs and again take care crossing Red Hill Dr (6.25K), entering the steps and dirt ST heading steeply uphill, which soon opens up to a right hand turn at a T-jn (6.35K) heading towards a radio tower. At the Red Hill Lookout Bay (6.63K) turn right towards the power pole to once again cross Red Hill Dr and then turn immediately left to join the dirt ST, which heads past the water tank reservoir and soon turns right (6.83K) and briefly down before climbing again along the fenceline towards Red Hill restaurant, with expansive views of the Woden Valley opening up to your right. This track levels out near the public toilet (approx. 7.3K) next to Red Hill restaurant (toilet & water available), descends to a 6-way track at a saddle (about 7.7K) and continues straight ahead, climbs steeply, passes through a missing gate, becomes sealed (8.00K) and then flattens out. After approx. 240m (8.24K) detour left onto 30m of dirt ST to touch Davidson trig and then re-join the main trail again 50m later (8.32K). Continue straight at the bottom of a short, steep descent as the track flattens and widens and becomes dirt again (8.66K) and after 200m or so (8.86K) take care to continue straight ahead to re-join the flat bitumen path.
The path drops steeply (9.06K) down to a climb-through metal fence (9.29K). Turn right onto the main Hindmarsh Track, staying near the fenceline for only 200m (9.49K) before turning 10 o’clock downhill onto a dirt ST for 500m or so running parallel to Rusden St. Turn left at the bottom of this descent (9.93K; aid station) to enter a large drainpipe tunnel that takes you under Hindmarsh Dr. for approx. 100m. Immediately after exiting the tunnel (10.03K) turn left to climb up a grassy bank and then drop down onto a faint ST staying parallel to the road (10.05K), which merges 60m later with a ST coming in from the right (10.11K). For the next forested section though the O’Malley woodlands follow the orange marker ribbons onto the middle one of three faint tracks, which crosses a low wire fence and a log (10.22K) and then becomes a more clearly defined ST in its own right. This ST crosses a dry watercourse (10.59K) and after approx. 500m turns (11.1K) right to climb a grass embankment, cross a rocky, wire covered retaining wall (11.18K) and then heads uphill into the open.
After approx. 500m (11.64K) of steady gentle climb this track merges with a wider track from the left and 60m later (11.70K) you veer left (11 o’clock) onto a small access ST for 30m and turn left again (11.73K) at the T-jn (Equestrian sign) to head uphill. Follow this main track up the hill and then along the flat section above the houses in Isaacs for about 1.2K before entering the pines (12.92K), taking care to stay on the left (higher) trail (13.08K) before turning hard left (13.30K) at the first equestrian sign then 40m later (13.34K) staying left at the fork to head very steeply uphill. At the top of this steep pitch the track swings East while offering expansive views to the North (13.67K), climbs gently to Sheaffe Trig (14.11K) and then follows the fenceline along the ridge for approx. 1.2K.
Along the way you head down to a minor saddle (14.98), a small climb, and then descend to a major saddle (15.39K) where you merge with a wider road to continue heading uphill to your right. Just before the top of the climb take the right fork in the track (15.93) to soon merge with the ridgeline track (15.99) near the orange/white radio tower and then only 30m later (16.02) turn right (downhill) onto a fire trail which heads down into the pines. After 400m or so this trail turns right and drops very steeply (16.45K) for about 300m before swinging hard right again (16.77K) along a gentle descent between the pines. Turn left (downhill) 300m later at the next intersection (17.10K; equestrian sign) and follow this for only 100m before veering right (17.21K) to join 40m of dirt ST that cuts the corner to join another equestrian track (17.25K) heading right towards Shepherdson Pl.
After 200m (17.45K) turn left to take the sealed path uphill to pass under Yamba Dr.(17.59) – approx. 50m later (17.64K) veer left uphill off this track at approx. 10’o clock heading to pass a wooden fence (17.66) and continue straight through to a very rocky 200m stretch of track which swings left and downhill towards the houses at Farrer. Turn left onto the track behind the houses (17.87K) and after 500m or so (18.36K) take care to stay on the right, lowest, flat track (2 o’ clock heading) that stays closest to the houses. A bit over 500m later (18.90K) when the main track turns left you can cut the corner to the right following 80m of ST which then merges with another main track (18.98K) that heads roughly parallel to the Farrer houses. About 600m further on (19.62K) you should bear left at the fork in the track (equestrian sign) to head away from the houses. This track starts to descend (19.83K) past the RHS of the water reservoir and soon after turns left (19.97K), heading straight towards Mt Taylor and downhill to cross some wooden equestrian stiles (20.22K) at a 2nd drink station on the eastern side of Athlon Dr. This is the largest and most dangerous road crossing of the race and you MUST obey the road marshals’ instructions as to when you can cross both double lane sections.
After crossing Athllon Dr you cross a bike path (20.33K), go through a gate near a stile (20.35K) and continue directly uphill on the Torrens Houses firetrail (FT). A bit over 1K later (near the corner of the housing line on your right) turn left, uphill, at the Mrs Low’s FT sign (21.46K) to pass through a gate (21.48K), and 70m later (21.55K) turn right before the tourist information board to head steeply uphill on the track that leads up Mt Taylor. This narrow track passes several lookout chairs that offer great views of the Tuggeranong Valley (21.93K) and the Brindabellas (22.10K) before becoming stepped (22.21K), and steeper and then opens out to a wider road (22.35K) that soon turns right and climbs very steeply (22.63K) towards the radio tower. **At the top of this steep climb (22.77K) veer right onto 60m of rocky ST that takes you to the Mt Taylor trig (22.83K) and then 60m back left to re-join (22.89K) the main FT heading North, which drops gently, turns to bitumen, and then drops steeply (23.10K), offering a dramatic view to the North. The road briefly turns back to dirt and temporarily flattens out before swinging left (West) and dropping steeply once again (23.55K) on a 100m bitumen section. Turn right (2’o clock) immediately at the end of this bitumen section (23.65K) onto a dirt track and 100m later (23.75K) bear right at the fork, continuing 90m (23.84K) to then turn left and down the steps to the Transition station at the end of the Waldock St dead end car park (23.84K).
2. Leg 2
Leg 2: Waldock St, Mount Taylor to National Arboretum (Cnr Himalayan Cedars Rd and Boundary Rd) – download printable pdf version
From the end of the car park follow the LHS of Waldock St for 150m (0.15) before turning left to climb through a metal fence. Continue straight ahead 80m (0.23) later to cross Nth Taylor FT and head down into the gully on the narrow single track (ST). Cross the West Powerline FT (0.42) and continue straight ahead (W) down onto the Old Kambah FT. After passing a dam on your right the trail swings left (S) and heads down to a climb-through gate (1.32). Continue straight to cross Colquhoun St (1.40) and follow the dirt track on the LHS of the houses for about 150m before turning left (1.55) onto a bitumen path which heads under Sulwood Dr. Immediately after exiting the tunnel turn right (1.63) to follow a dirt track between the houses and the road. At the end of the house fences (2.09) do not veer left but instead continue another 30 m straight ahead into a watercourse and follow the grassy ST between the trees that runs parallel to Drakeford Dr. Turn right at the first footpath you come to (2.49) to head under Drakeford Dr. and upon exiting the tunnel continue straight ahead on the path (2.62) that heads between the houses, taking care to cross Bacchus Cct (2.74) and continuing straight until the path ends at Attiwell Cct (2.88).
Continue straight to follow the RHS verge of Attiwell Cct for approx. 250m before turning right at the T-jn onto Bacchus Cct (3.14) and then immediately left into Lunn Pl (3.16). At the footpath 20m past the dead-end (3.25) take the faint ST at 10’o clock heading which merges with a footpath (3.30) which leads up to a bus stop at Kambah Pool Rd (3.37). Cross the road according to the marshal’s instructions and head straight up onto the footpath heading up the hill. After 80m (3.45) turn right at the fenceline to leave the path and head uphill (N) onto a dirt track. Turn right (3.74) after approx. 300m (where the track flattens out near the houses) to climb through a wooden gate towards Mt Arawang. Follow the ST for 110m to climb through another wooden gate (3.85), cross a wooden footbridge (3.88) and then head up the steps on the Mt Arawang Summit Trail. After touching the Mt Arawang Trig (4.51) turn 180 degrees, retrace your steps by 5m and then turn right (heading west) down a steep narrow ST with occasional steps.
As the track exits the trees, continue straight ahead at the first track intersection (4.89) and then 40m later (4.93) take the left fork in the track (uphill) to pass underneath a single power line and 50m up to T-jn (4.98) at the “Arawang Saddle FT” sign. Turn left (S) here to head downhill for 370m, climb through a metal gate (5.35), turn right onto the Cooleman Ridge BNT, and soon climb through another metal gate (5.46, sometimes open). After approx. 1K the trail crosses a dry watercourse (6.48) and climbs steadily for about 350m, soon after which (6.77) you leave the main trail by turning right at the sign marked “Darrell Pl Access FT”- climb through the metal fence (6.82) and follow the track uphill. This track merges with a larger track near the water reservoir (6.64) and soon after swings around to the right and then leads down (80m) to a metal gate (7.05).
Turn left (N) onto the Cooleman Cutoff Drain FT, heading up the hill to pass Cooleman Stonehenge boulders (7.30) to reveal more expansive views of southwest Canberra to your right. After another approx. 1.2K (8.46) be sure to stay on the main track to the left (flat) track and wait another 170m (8.63) before turning right (“Kathner St Access trail” sign) and heading steeply downhill on a graded but slippery dirt road that zigzags down to the gate at Kathner St (8.88). Turn left at the gate, staying on the grass near the fence and then 40m later turning right onto the dirt track running parallel to Kathner St. Continue on this track as it swings right and then turns left (9.48) at the fence corner. Keep the fenceline on your left and after 130m turn left once again (9.61) to head W towards the Mountains. Fill up bottles at the 1st drink/aid station (9.70) before crossing the equestrian centre access road (9.71), climb across the steps over the fence (9.73) and follow the dirt track W along the fenceline. The track turns right just after passing a dam on your RHS and brings you to a track intersection which has a swing pedestrian gate on your left (10.18). Turn left to pass through the gate and then 20 m later (10.20) head left again to take the minor track which follows the same fenceline (W) you were previously following towards the Mountains. This boundary track eventually swings 90 degrees right (N; 11.06). Proceed along the boundary track fenceline N for just over 800m (ignore first track to the right after about 350m) before turning right (11.92) onto a fire trail at approx. 4 o’clock heading heading SE up onto Narrabundah Hill. At the top of this climb (12.39, cement cylinder) turn left (NE) to take the main track up through the pine trees. Approx. 400m later (12.85) take the ST on your right that leads E to the Narrabundah Hill Trig point (13.01).
After the trig continue heading E for another 60m before turning left (13.07) at the T-jn to head down the hill heading N. Stay right (downhill) at the next fork (13.16) and subsequently climb through a series of two gates (13.20 and 13.37). Near the bottom of this descent veer off right towards the fenceline (13.69) and climb over the steps (13.74). Continue straight ahead towards the houses and cross Eucumbene Drive, veering slightly left to follow the footpath (13.77) near the houses across to Warragamba Ave (13.85) which you cross and then turn right to follow the grassy verge on the LHS of the road down the hill. For a few hundred metres it is best to run between the road and the main power lines but then after crossing a dirt road (14.08) the main instruction is to run straight between the double power lines for the next 2 K or so downhill from here. As this track makes its final descent towards Weston Creek (15.95) you should start to veer right towards the road in preparation for crossing the creek (16.09) on the bridge footpath. Straight after the bridge (16.14) turn left onto the bike path heading N parallel to the creek. This bike path heads under Cotter Road (16.32), around the RHS of several dams, climbs the hill past the RSPCA (17.62), and then descends to a T junction (17.61) at which you should bear right to continue following the bike path along the Molonglo river. The path passes under the Tuggeranong Parkway (18.44) and after crossing a main equestrian trail descends to a large footbridge (19.78). Continue straight up the hill from the bridge (19.84) towards the City and 60m later (19.90) merge left onto the main bike path. Just under 400m later (20.27) turn left onto the access road to the Scrivener Dam Car Park and then (20.36) head diagonally across the car park to the 2nd aid/drink station (20.41).
From the 2nd drink station take the path up the steps and turn left (20.46) to cross Scrivener Dam on the LHS footpath. Immediately after crossing the Dam turn left at the “Refuge Island” sign to head down some lookout steps followed by a steep descent on a ST heading S. This ST then becomes a wide fire trail (20.82), passes the National Zoo and Aquarium, and then runs parallel to the Molonglo River for quite a while. Continue straight through all track junctions, passing under the Tuggeranong Parkway once again (22.65). After approx. another kilometre (23.56) continue straight ahead at a major track junction to take the trail that climbs steeply up the hill directly ahead of you (do not take the trail to your left which leads down to white swing gate). This track climbs to a crest (23.72), opening up views of Mt Stromlo ahead, and then gradually descends to a T-jn (24.19) where you will turn right to take the road heading N straight up the hill, ignoring the track 150m later that forks off down to the left (24.34). The road soon swings right (E/NE) and after approx. 1K comes to a major 4 way intersection (25.22). Continue straight ahead through this intersection on the flat road (NE) and follow for approx. 800m. Turn left just before the double power lines (26.00) and follow this road (NW) under the double power lines (26.08) for 70m until it brings you directly to a T-jn with a gate directly ahead of you marked “Keep Boundary Secure”. Climb over this gate (26.15) and follow this major road for quite a while, passing under powerlines (27.60), and back into the pine trees. You will start to climb and come to a key intersection (28.56) where there are four 1 metre high “Buried Pipeline” Signs. Continue straight ahead at this intersection (NOT up the steeper open hill to your right) to take the track heading N/NE, soon passing by clusters of blackberry bushes either side. Continue along this track for about 1.7K as it follows a wide arc, eventually finishing by ascending E to a gate to climb over (30.27) and a track that leads 120m later to a 6 way track intersection and a gate underneath the powerlines (30.39). Climb over this gate and take the main dirt track (NE) on your left that soon (30.53) starts climbing towards the construction buildings (with Telstra Tower visible in the distance). Pass by the LHS of the white swing gate near the worksheds (30.81). Continue straight here and take care 70m later (30.88) to stay left on the flat track near the fenceline (left fork) when the road splits. The road follows the fenceline, turning left (31.05) to head down past a dam and then right (31.05) before climbing up to the 2nd transition point (31.93) at the white swing gate at the intersection with Himalayan Cedars Rd.
3. Leg 3
Leg 3: National Arboretum (Cnr Himalayan Cedars Rd and Boundary Rd) to Cnr Majura & Phillip Ave, Dickson – download printable pdf version
From the second transition point follow the fenceline track N then NE down the hill for approx. 700m. At the bottom of the hill turn left at the fence corner (0.7) to cross the wooden horse stile and continue straight ahead (0.76) on the “Cork Oaks via road” track, which you follow for about 780m. Turn right at the spring-loaded gate (1.54). Follow the path under William Hovell Dr and after 130m (1.67) turn right at the T-junction onto the bike path heading towards Black Mtn Tower.
After 250m turn left to leave the bike path and cross the pedestrian stile (1.92) leading into Aranda Snow Gums Reserve. After 200m (2.12) you will follow a walking trail denoted by a series of wooden posts. Keep a lookout ahead for these posts which first lead you parallel to an erosion gully on your right and then (after 400m) turn right (2.53) to cross this gully and up onto a grassy track. After 270m or so (2.80) the grass track veers half left (N) and then heads uphill for approx. 170m to reach a fenceline (2.97). Turn left after passing through the fence and follow the 4WD track for 340m to the first main track intersection (3.31), at which you turn right, heading uphill onto the signposted “Powerline Link Track”. After 430m (3.74) cross under the double power lines at the clearing but take the larger track that is slightly uphill and to your right (not straight ahead), which goes back into the trees (2 o’clock heading). Follow this track uphill towards the Aranda houses, taking care to bear left (4.26) towards the houses at the split in the track near the top of this climb. The track reaches the edge of the houses and then climbs steeply for a few hundred metres. At the high point (4.70), continue straight along the fenceline on the “Aranda House Trail”, with a good view opening up of Black Mtn Tower ahead. After 400m (5.12) the Aranda House trail turns left but you will continue straight ahead and then 40m later (5.16) turn immediately right onto a wide, straight track heading downhill with views to the South. A bit over 500m later the track swings left and 80m later (5.80) reaches a T-jn at which you turn left (“To Black Mtn” sign). Continue straight ahead on this road for about 400m (ignoring the branch to your right at 270m; 6.06) until you hit a T-jn adjacent to Caswell Drive (6.19).
Turn right and 60m later (6.25) turn left to pass under Caswell Dr. After approx 130m, veer left at the fork (6.38, BNT sign), then shortly after (6.48) this track swings to the right. Continue for another 570m (7.04) before turning right (and up 3 steps; no bikes sign) to take a dirt (then cement) single track for 200m before turning left (7.24) to join a wide 4WD dirt track, which you follow for 180m (7.42) before veering off right onto about 50m of ST that cuts the corner to join the main summit track (7.47). Continue straight uphill at the next intersection (7.62, BNT sign) and then climb steeply, taking note of the metal barrier to your left (7.85; Course Marshal) which leads to the path that you will be taking after you have done your anticlockwise loop that contours around the top of the mountain. For the moment, continue straight ahead for 50m to pass a metal barrier and then 10m later turn right (7.92) at the green Black Mtn post onto a narrow dirt ST. Follow the ST for 1.2K (9.13) before you climb up steps to cross Black Mtn Drive (dangerous low visibility road crossing- follow marshal’s instructions).
Proceed straight across to the car park bay on the other side (Drink station), ignoring the very first trail entrance you see to your left and continue only another 20m or so along the car park edge to turn left (9.17) at a 2nd trail entrance (green Blk Mtn sign) and climb through the wooden gate (9.18) to enter some more delightful single track. After 860m (10.03) you will complete your top loop of the mountain, turning right (downhill) back onto the summit path and 60m later (10.10) turning half right past the metal barrier and onto the sealed path heading down to the East, which has many MTB speed humps and several metal barriers along the way. Make a hairpin turn left at the end of the sealed path (10.78) at the T-jn to head back uphill on the road. After 620m turn right at the first track intersection (BNT sign) to take the “Little Blk Mtn” track and 120m later (11.52) turn right (uphill) to join the “Little Black Mtn circuit FT”, which you will follow for approx. 1.5K before exiting right (13.05; a Little Blk Mtn FT sign on your LHS) to head downhill towards Belconnen Way.
After exiting the trees turn right (13.41) onto the track to follow the big powerlines. After 400m (13.82) the road undulates and at the bottom of the 2nd major undulation turn left onto a dirt road (14.38), heading down 40m to cross a small dry watercourse (14.42), climb up onto a small embankment, and turn right (14.43) onto ST followed only 20m later by a left turn (14.45) onto ST that leads 100m down to Frith Rd (14.55). Cross straight across the road and over the low guard rail and then turn left to head through the Barry Dr. underpass (14.62) on the LHS. After exiting the tunnel turn hard left at the BNT/Stop sign (14.69) to take a ST (14.71) heading uphill into the trees. This climbs for about 200m and flattens out (parallel to a watercourse on your left). The track starts to descend and briefly merges with a wider track (15.32). About 40m later (15.36) turn right onto the narrow ST heading straight down the hill and then about 50m later (15.41) turn right towards the houses on Dryandra St. This track swings out left (15.47) down towards the RDBT at Belconnen Way next to a BNT sign (15.60; Limited aid; Course Marshal).
Continue straight across the road to join a bike path (15.67) and follow this as it climbs up the hill for approximately 700m before making a hard right turn (16.38) under the big powerlines to enter the access gate to O’Connor Ridge (16.40). Continue dead straight up the hill ahead which narrows to a ST after approx. 100m (16.50) and about 200m later reaches a 5 way track intersection (16.71). Take the major flat track on your left (2nd exit) which is marked with a “Stadium FT” sign (16.73) on its RHS. Now you just stay on this major track without any turns for about 1K as it eventually swings right to the E and ends at a T-jn (17.75) with the Tip FT. Turn left (downhill) and follow the Tip FT all the way straight down towards the houses, where you will pass through a pedestrian gate to Dryandra St (17.89). Turn left (17.90) making sure to stay off-road on the LHS as the road turns right (17.97; at the Church) and becomes Archibald St.
Stay on the grass verge/footpath on the LHS of Archibald St for the next 840m (passing Buddhist Temple) until it dead-ends at a T-jn with Mouat St (18.85). Turn right to cross Archibald St and join the bike path, being careful after 180m (19.03) to leave this path, turning left to cross the bitumen dead end and head to the pedestrian crossing/lights at Brigalow St (Course Marshal). After crossing continue left (19.12) past the Lyneham Motor Inn (19.27) and 60 m later (19.33) turn right onto the bitumen bike path that runs along the RHS of the water canal. Follow this path for approx 650m before turning left (19.98) at the end of the playing field (Blue and White sign; “Dickson shops 2K”) to cross the canal and join another bike path heading towards Lyneham High School. Take care crossing Goodwin St at the speed hump/ped. crossing (20.27). After 50m (20.32) merge left to take the bike path towards Dickson shops (blue and white sign). Take care crossing De Burgh St (20.43) and follow the path for another 160m (20.49).
Scenario 1:
At this point, if the conditions are favourable, you will divert right across the grass to drop into the canal (20.51) in order to run under the two arms of the very busy Northbourne Ave and then exit the canal (20.61) to re-join the bike path (20.65).
Scenario 2:
If conditions do not favour use of the canal you will have to continue straight ahead on the bike path to cross Northbourne Ave at the lights to continue along the bike path to Dickson.
Continue along the bike path to cross Challis St (20.86) and then take care to cross Cowper St at the pedestrian crossing at the traffic lights (21.29; Course Marshal). Continue straight onto the bike path that runs between the canal and the houses and follow (without turns) for approx. the next 1.3K to finish at the 3rd (final) transition area at the middle telephone pole (22.62, red tag 37387) in the grassy area on the west side of Majura Ave.
4. Leg 4
Leg 4: Cnr Majura & Phillip Ave (Dickson) to Regatta Point – download printable pdf version
Continue east on the path from the transition area for 80m (0.08) to cross Majura Ave at the bridge, crossing over to the LHS of the canal to turn right onto a dirt ST (0.108) that follows the middle of the nature strip between Phillip Ave and the canal. At the track split near Madigan St (0.62) take the left hand fork closest to Phillip Ave, and continue straight ahead up past a yellow pole (0.82), across a path (0.92; at Kellaway St) and 30m later turn left at the green Nature Park gate (0.95) to join a track heading past the Kellaway St Car Park. Continue up the hill past the Hancocks Rd sign (1.05) and continue straight ahead up the hill ignoring the large track (1.28) heading off left along the Hackett Houses. Only 100m further on (1.38) be sure to turn left onto the single track (ST) leading under the single powerlines and then only 80m later (1.46) continue straight on the ST uphill. After another 120m take the left (downhill) fork of the ST. Continue straight on this ST (1.76) which heads up to run parallel with the big double powerlines up on your right (2.09) for about 400m before veering left (2.46) to a T-Jn (2.48).
Turn left here onto a big gravel dirt road (Blue Metal Rd) to head down towards the houses for about 200m before it turns hard right at the “Hackett Houses track” sign (2.70). Continue straight ahead (ignore tracks heading left towards houses) at the first (3.13) and second (3.30) track splits, passing a large water tank on your left before turning right (3.44) at the Park Care noticeboards to step across a horse stile and head uphill on the Majura Horse Trail. Continue straight on the track up the hill after passing under the large powerlines (3.61). After approx. 150m or so the track swings left (N) and climbs steadily. Continue straight ahead past a major walking path (with steps) that crosses your path (4.06) and after 300m or so stay alert for set of steps that will allow you to cross the fence on your RHS (4.41) followed by an immediate turn left onto a narrow ST, which after 100m or so swings away from the fenceline and heads uphill, becoming very rocky. The ST does a right hairpin turn and then backtracks for 500m before terminating at a T-jn (5.14).
Turn left (uphill) to follow this major walking track with steps. The track crosses a metal grid bridge (5.37) and continues for 300m up to a major intersection (5.67) at the ridgeline where you turn left to follow the main 4WD track uphill, steep in places (5.79-6.10 and 6.21 to 6.31) and leading to a climb-through gate (6.50). Head straight across the road up an embankment/stone steps to reach Mt Majura trig (6.57; aid station, Course Marshal).
From the Trig, retrace your steps back down through the gate (6.63) to head back the way you came but this time continue straight ahead down the ridgeline past (7.48) the point where you originally joined it. It quickly narrows to ST and then descends through a series of zigzags: zig left (7.92), zag right (8.04), zig left (8.33), zag right (8.49), through metal stile (8.51), becomes sealed with some steps (8.82). As soon as this path exits the treeline (8.95) take a faint ST to the left (10 o’clock) to join the larger track heading downhill between the 2 big sets of powerlines only for about 100m before exiting to the left (9.10) onto a ST heading back into the trees (9.11; no bikes/no horses sign). After 270m (9.38) take the track to the right (not uphill) at the dam, follow the fenceline to another right hand turn at the end of the dam (9.45) to a small track which crosses a small rubber footbridge (9.46) and then heads 60m uphill to join the main gravel road (9.52).
Turn left (uphill) and follow the main gravel road for approx 400m before taking the right fork at the “Cherryburn Trail sign” (9.90), the trail changing from grey gravel to brown dirt and heading uphill and to the right with a large water reservoir prominent on your RHS. Follow this main trail for the next 1.75K as it climbs steadily up Hackett Hill, starts to flatten out (10.72) for about 500m and then starts descending (11.28). Approx. 50m before the powerlines/bottom of this descent (11.64) take a small ST to the left which cuts the corner to a major track intersection at the saddle (11.70).
Take the track to the left (E) where the power pole corner is (11.71; sign on right says Hancock Rd) and head downhill for approx. 1K on a long, smooth wide track. Turn right at the major trail intersection at the bottom of the hill (12.77) onto Telecom Rd and then just under 200m later (12.94) take the ST to the left that cuts the corner to merge with another main track (13.03) heading E out towards the airport. This track swings right (S; 13.44) and then follows the fenceline on the edge of Campbell Park. Stay on the main track (13.95) as it temporarily veers away from the fenceline around a small dam. The track heads back into the trees (14.60) and 120m later (14.72) turns right (uphill) and turns into “Scotts Boundary Track” (aid station here). Follow this track uphill, keeping the fenceline on your LHS. The track swings right (15.05) past a “House Trail Link” sign (15.07). Approx. 400m later (15.45) take the left fork in the track, which very soon (15.49) intersects with a large cross road. Cross this road at the 4ft high cement post and immediately after crossing (15.50) take the worn vehicle track heading off to the right at approx. 2 o’clock heading.
This track swings left and starts to climb steadily uphill (15.55), hitting a clearing (15.70), passing under powerlines (15.76) and then follows a single power line for about 140m (15.86-16.00), before reaching a T-jn (16.05).
Turn right at the T-jn to take the wide dirt road heading uphill between the power lines. This road then descends steeply to cross a dry watercourse (16.43) and then climbs quite steeply for about 200m. As the road starts to flatten out (16.64), keep a lookout for an upcoming ST on your LHS that you will soon turn left at (16.68). This narrow ST soon climbs steeply and after 300m or so (17.00) becomes wider and less steep. When this track merges with another road from the right (17.22) you will travel only 40m before taking the right hand fork at the track split onto some narrow ST. After 650m (17.93) you turn left to climb a stone staircase leading up to Mt Ainslie Dr.
When you reach the road turn right (stay on the RHS) then head straight across Mt Ainslie Dr (17.96), heading straight up a dirt ST towards the Radio tower on the summit. At the tower (18.12) take the steps back and down to the right to the road, cross straight across Mt Ainslie Dr (18.14) onto a cobbled footpath (there is a water bubbler and tap to your left, just past the 1m high cement block). Continue straight ahead down some cement steps (18.17) leading under the lookout and turn right around a metal barrier (18.20) onto the main walking track. This sealed track passes some big steps and a lookout (18.32). 400m take care to stay on the main (sealed) track. There are several sharp hairpin turns on the way down and you pass around 3 wooden corrals (19.71, 19.80, 19.98) before passing a gate (20.07), a wooden footbridge (20.09) and take 8 steps down onto a small dirt track that leads you to cross Treloar Cres (20.16) behind the Australian War Memorial.
Follow the road straight ahead that runs between the War Memorial and the car park for about 200m until it ends (20.37), continuing straight across onto the grass between the footpath and trees (20.39) and then running down the grassy bank following the line of trees heading towards the lights/pedestrian crossing at Fairbairn Ave (20.50). After crossing at the lights you will follow the footpath to your right which then heads along the LHS of Anzac Pde past various memorials. Take care when crossing Blamey Cres (20.92) and Constitution Ave (21.50) at the lights.
Turn left onto the footpath immediately after crossing Constitution Ave to follow it for approx. 140m before turning right into the entrance to the car park on the RHS. Veer 45 degrees right to short cut across the car park, passing near the building edge and heading down to the corner of the car park near the underpass. Turn right onto Wendouree Dr (21.81) and cross over to the footpath on the LHS just before passing under the two sections of Parkes Way (21.11 & 21.91). 70m later turn right to cross Wendouree Dr at the ped crossing and head down the path to turn right onto the main path next to Lake Burley Griffin (22.03). Follow the path on the Lake’s edge all the way to the finish. The path temporarily turns to red gravel and then back to cement again, crosses a small bridge near Floriade and then swings around towards the flagpole at Regatta Point (23.04). Approx 50m past the flagpole leave the path (23.54) to climb to the right up the grassy bank, following the marked cones to the finish chute that terminates at the paved area at the western (left hand) end of the Canberra Business Events Centre (23.68).
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