Suggested Walks on The Pinnacle Nature Reserve
from the Springvale Drive/De Salis St Car Park, Weetangera
Central-Valley Loop
A circuit via The Pinnacle summit with its spectacular views and passing some of the reserve’s loveliest woodland and the reserve’s only permanent dam. The Pinnacle summit offers spectacular views out over the Molonglo Valley to the ranges beyond, after which a downhill walk takes you to the reserve’s southern boundary and more views out to the Brindabellas. The return track passes near the reserve’s only permanent dam. Don’t forget to take the detour to the dam and check out the interpretive sign for information about the local wildlife.
Distance: 3.7 km return; Time: Allow 1 – 2 hrs; Difficulty: Easy/Moderate (total ascent/descent: 130 m); Track/grade: A mixture of management trails and foot tracks, some steep sections and steps.
Eastern Loop (with Mt. Painter option)
A shorter walk that loops around one of the
reserve’s most interesting and diverse planted woodlands, with nice views out to the ranges.
This short walk circumnavigates one of the last of the mass plantings of the 1990s,
which included a particularly diverse mixture of eucalypt, acacia and shrub species.
The walk offers lovely views out to the southwest from its highest point.
Feeling ambitious? For a longer walk (approx. 6 km return), you can also visit Mt Painter
Nature Reserve in Cook by continuing eastwards along the Springvale track.
Distance: 2.0 km return; Time: Allow 0.5 - 1.5 hrs; Difficulty: Easy/Moderate (total ascent/descent: 43 m); Track/grade: Management trail with some relatively steep sections.
Stringybark Loop
One of the reserve’s loveliest walks, with great views and varying habitats, including open grasslands, woodlands and forest, and plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife. The walk starts by visiting The Pinnacle summit with its views in all directions, then passes through grassy woodland to the Macrorhyncha track that takes you through a beautiful remnant patch of Red Stringybark forest to the western boundary of the reserve. The return walk follows a management trail along the northern edge of the forest and the reserve boundary back to your start point.
Distance: 3.7 km return; Time: Allow 1.5 – 2 hrs; Difficulty: Moderate (total ascent/descent: 95 m); Track/grade: A mixture of management trail and foot tracks, some steep sections and steps.
from Dungowan Street St, Hawker
Pinnacle Nature Walk (Macrorhyncha Loop)
One of the reserve’s loveliest walks, with views and varying habitats, including open grasslands and forest, and plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife. The walk follows the Macrorhyncha track through a beautiful intact section of Red Stringybark forest and more open grassland to The Pinnacle summit with its views in all directions. The return walk passes through intact box gum grassy woodland before following a management trail back to your start point.
Distance: 3.0 km return; Time: Allow 1.5 – 2 hrs; Difficulty: Easy/Moderate (total ascent/descent: 98 m); Track/grade: A mixture of management trails and foot tracks, some steep sections and steps.
Pinnacle Main Loop
A long loop around most of the reserve’s boundary. A favourite with trail runners or walkers looking for a longer walk in nature with pleasant views. This walk runs down the reserve’s western boundary before looping back up to join the management trails around the top boundary of the reserve. As you head along the western boundary, there are spectacular views of the Molonglo Valley and Brindabellas out to your right.
Distance: 5.0 km return; Time: Allow 1.5 – 2.5 hrs; Difficulty: Easy/Moderate (total ascent/descent: 131 m); Track/grade: Management trails with some steep sections.
Kama Link Walk
A walk into the reserve’s latest addition,
particularly spectacular for wildflowers in spring.
Like the Main Loop walk, this follows the reserve’s western boundary but turns right into
Kama Link paddock,which started life as an environmental offset. Check out the Kama Link sign
before heading in. This is an area that features regenerating box gum woodland and is rich in
plant diversity, including many wildflower species.
Feeling ambitious? Extend your walk by 6 km (1.5 - 2.5 hrs) by continuing under William Hovell
Drive into the Molonglo River Reserve (former Kama Nature Reserve) and down to the Molonglo River.
Distance: 4.2 km return; Time: Allow 1.5 – 2.5 hrs; Difficulty: Easy/Moderate (total ascent/descent: 100 m); Track/grade: A mixture of management trails and foot tracks, some steep sections and steps.
