Starting from Parkhill Street, Pearce, this circuit walk takes you to the summit of Mount Taylor via the Zig Zag Track, then descends and loops back to the start via various trails. Supposedly named after James Taylor(a squatter), Mount Taylor will reward you with lovely panoramic views of the Brindabella Range and southern Canberra as you make it to the top. Let the Telstra Tower above Black Mountain be your guide on this walk, as it can be seen from almost everywhere in the reserve. There are also plenty of scenic benches for you to sit on and take in the different views of Tuggeranong Valley. By the way, the Aboriginal expression Tuggeranong actually means ‘cold plains’, if you didn’t know. The area tends to be busy on weekends, so try to schedule the walk on a weekday if you want to avoid the crowd. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.
Turn on to Hindmarsh Drive Offramp then drive for 510 m
Keep left and drive toward Woden and drive for another 740 m
Turn sharp right onto Eggleston Crescent and drive for another 840 m
Turn right onto MacFarland Crescent and drive for another 1.3 km
Turn right onto Parkhill Street and drive for another 490 m
Turn right and drive for another 6 m
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started From Parkhill Street (75 metres north of the intersection with Sheehan Street), head along the wide dirt path perpendicular to the road, between houses 34 and 36. Follow the trail until you come to the wooden gate with a “dogs on leash” sign on it, moving parallel to the metal fence line to your right. Pass over/around the gate and veer left, moving past the signpost to your left. 230 metres in, continue straight at the 4-way intersection and cross the bridge to continue along Mount Taylor Zig Zag Loop (counterclockwise).....
Turn map
Directions & comments
From the Parkhill Street Start (a vehicle track).
After another 195 m (from the Mt Taylor Zig Zag) continue straight, to head along Mt Taylor Zig Zag (a walking track).
After another 30 m (from the Mt Taylor Zig Zag) continue straight, to head along Mt Taylor Zig Zag.
Then cross the bridge (about 5 m long)
After another 920 m pass a seat (on your left).
After another 20 m continue straight.
After another 9 m pass the "Mount Taylor" (10 m on your right).
After another 50 m (from the Summit Fire Trail) continue straight, to head along Summit Fire Trail (a vehicle track).
After another 480 m head down the surface|paved steps (about 25 m long)
After another 15 m head down the surface|paved steps (about 40 m long)
After another 105 m pass a seat (on your left)., has a backrest.
After another 520 m (from the Mt Taylor Hill Climb) continue straight, to head along Mt Taylor Hill Climb.
After another 15 m pass the sign (on your right).
At the intersection of Mrs Lows Fire Trail & Mt Taylor Hill Climb turn left, to head along Mrs Lows Fire Trail (a vehicle track).
After another 40 m cross the bridge (about 10 m long)
From the Mrs Lows Fire Trail turn left.
After another 460 m continue straight.
After another 690 m (from the Mt Taylor Zig Zag) turn right, to head along Mt Taylor Zig Zag.
After another 30 m (from the Mt Taylor Zig Zag) continue straight (a vehicle track).
Continue another 195 m to find from the Parkhill Street at the end.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities
Mount Taylor Zig Zag Loop
Grading
Class 4/6
Hard track
Length
3.9 km
Time
1 h 15 min to 2 h
Quality of track
Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
Gradient
Very steep (4/6)
Signage
Clearly signposted (2/6)
Infrastructure
Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (2/6)
Experience Required
No experience required (2/6)
Weather
Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
Some facilities on route
Seat: There are 2 on route, on average they are 1.3 km apart with the largest gap of 2 km.
Bushwalk
1 h 15 min to 2 h
Seat: There are 2 on route, on average they are 1.3 km apart with the largest gap of 2 km.
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Then cross the bridge (about 5 m long)
After another 9 m pass the "Mount Taylor" (10 m on your right).
After another 480 m head down the surface|paved steps (about 25 m long)
After another 15 m pass the sign (on your right).
At the intersection of Mrs Lows Fire Trail & Mt Taylor Hill Climb turn left, to head along Mrs Lows Fire Trail (a vehicle track).
