Distance: 9.44km
Altitude max: 1435m
Altitude min: 1210m
Duration: 2.25 hours
Trail type: Return
All you will need for this walk is comfortable walking shoes, 2 litres of water, some snacks, hat, sunscreen and light jacket just in case. We'll try to organise a few cars at the pre-trip so that everyone will have a lift.
The walk is only a short drive south of Canberra and is easy to access. The trailhead is at the Smokers Gap car park on Corin Road near the Smokers Gap entrance to Namadgi National Park. The trail is reasonably well formed consisting of a formed dirt trail, stone steps and also sections of steel mesh where the trail crosses over areas of fairly moist ecosystem. As is typical with many of the trails around Canberra, some of the steps can be a bit unstable.
The trail winds its way through forests of mixed Eucalypts consisting of Snow Gum and Alpine Ash and containing large granite boulders typical of Namadgi National Park area. About half way along the trail is Smokers Flat, a flat, grassy herb field that is usually boggy in some areas even during the hottest months of the year.
As you reach the peak at Square Rock there is a small set of metal stepping, which is an indication to take care, as there are steep drops off on almost all sides of the summit area. To get the best views you will need to scramble around/over large boulders. The summit is also the only area that you will pick up a mobile phone signal although this can be a bit erratic.
Although this trail is similar to many others in the area, it has a different feel about it and the vegetation and wildlife is different enough to keep you interested. At just under 10km it’s not a short walk but it is closer to Canberra than many other walks in Namadgi and offers beautiful walking and views.
Leave ANU 7:45, carpool convoy to Smokers Gap, walk for 2.3hrs, return to ANU by 13:00