A popular section of the Great North Walk, with scenery ranging from foreshore to ridge top lookouts. A great one-way trip from with numerous water views and a diversity of fauna to see along the way.

1st leg:  Cowan Station to Freeway Bridge 0.3km - 5 mins

From the platform, heads down a short set of stairs after the shelter on the right, turning left at the bottom of the stairs to follow the service trail for approximately 100m to the bridge over the freeway, which it crosses to the other side.

Freeway Bridge to Jerusalem Bay 2.1km - 45 mins

Follow the rocky, bush track descending steeply down into the valley.  Notice the change in vegetation as the track gets lower into the valley, winding down to the bottom until the walk crosses a shallow creek over a rock shelf and comes to the faint intersection of the engravings track, just on the eastern side of the creek, near a large gum tree.  From the intersection, follow the bush track heading north-east away from the creek, steadily winding down the hill for a while before crossing a creek at a rock platform and continuing down to the bottom, where the track widens and passes a 'no camping' sign as it climbs up the gentle hill. Just before Jerusalem Bay, the track climbs a set of stairs and comes to 'The Great North Walk' sign. 

Jerusalem Bay, Ku-ring-gai National Park, is a nice bay east of Cowan Station. The bay is popular with bushwalkers as it is part of the Great North Walk. The bay is sometimes known for an iconic photo of the single palm in front of the water.  The bay itself is also popular with boaters who can anchor in the bay. Jerusalem Bay can be accessed by the Hawkesbury River and Broken Bay or from Brooklyn or Cowan Railway Stations.

Jerusalem Bay to Int. Jerusalem Bay Trk and Brooklyn Dam Service Trail 2.8km 1 Hr 15 mins

With the Jerusalem Bay to the right, this walk heads north-west around the waterline to a creek-crossing, and continues steeply up the hill, climbing up out of the valley, passing some seats at about half way.  Once at the top of the ridge, the track heads north-west, coming to a sign to 'Brooklyn Dam'.  From the sign, this walk winds north and north-west along the plateau with views of the freeway and the water. After about 200m ,the track slowly descends down the spur, which steadily gets steeper as the track heads down to Campbells Creek.  From Campbells Creek, this walk winds north-east, climbing up the hill for approximately 200m before it flattens out and continues under a line of rock formations. After a while, the track climbs up over some rock slopes via metal stairs and continues up to the intersection of the service trail.

Int. Jerusalem Bay Trk and Brooklyn Dam Service Trail to Upper Int. of Brooklyn Dam Service Track and Brooklyn Dam Bushtrack  2.8km  - 55 mins

From the intersection, this walk heads north-west down the hill and along the plateau, undulating in a north-westerly direction for approximately 1km, before winding down a hill for approximately 200m to the intersection of the Great North Walk bush track.

Upper Int. of Brooklyn Dam Service Track and Brooklyn Dam Bushtrack to NE Brooklyn Dam Campsite  0.6km - 5 mins

Follow the bush track heading south-east down the hill for approx. 200m before coming to Brooklyn Dam.  Head north, with the dam to the right for about 30m before turning right at the Great North Walk sign into a campsite.  From the south east end of the small campsite, this walk heads down to the creek below Brooklyn Dam wall, where the trail continues for approximately 10m to the large campsite.  The large campsite next to Brooklyn Dam, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, is a spacious and well-maintained campsite which has approximately 12 sites. The close proximity to Brooklyn Dam means accessible water (treat before drinking). The campsite has many tall, shady trees and is a fuel stove only site.

NE Brooklyn Dam Campsite to Int Brooklyn Service Trail with Brooklyn Rd Access Tk  2.1km  - 45 mins

From the large campsite, this walk exits by the south-eastern end to a service trail, which it follows as it climbs up the hill for a while before flattening out and continuing along the side of the hill, passing several power line access trails and following the frequent Great North Walk signs until reaching the signposted intersection of the Great North Walk bush track.

Int Brooklyn Service Trail with Brooklyn Rd Access Tk to Int Brooklyn Rd and Brooklyn Rd Access Tk  0.1km  - 4 mins

Follow the Great North Walk sign down the bush track, winding down the hill for a short while before coming down to the intersection of Brooklyn Road.

Int Brooklyn Rd and Brooklyn Rd Access Tk to Brooklyn Railway Station  0.3km - 5 mins

Follow Brooklyn Road down the hill, along the footpath, to the corner at the Angler's Rest Hotel, where it crosses the road and continues towards the train line. The walk then follows the road down the hill to the Hawkesbury Station sign at the bottom of the white stairs.