Canberra Centenary Trail

Canberra Centenary Trail is a 138-kilometre self-guided, shared use trail experience for walkers, runners and cyclists. It showcases urban and rural Canberra, as well as iconic sites and hidden treasures.

For walkers and runners wanting to explore a little further, 10 km of additional ’feature walks’ offer a scenic detour off the main trail loop.

The shared use loop trail is multi-directional and can be tackled in sections over several days, or as one big adventure. The entire trail can be explored as:

a 7-day walk, averaging just over 20 km per day
a 3-day ride, averaging just over 45 km per day
a 1-day physical challenge!

The Canberra Centenary Trail is a shared-use trail. Please keep left and respect other trail users.

Ngunnawal Country and People

Canberra Centenary Trail is located on Ngunnawal Country, an ancient and diverse landscape managed and cared for by Ngunnawal people for tens of thousands of years.

For time immemorial Ngunnawal people have maintained a tangible and intangible cultural, social, environmental, spiritual, and economic connection to these lands and waters.

Trail sections/What you'll see

Trail sections

Explore these sections of the trail:

What you'll experience

Along Canberra Centenary Trail, you can experience:

sites and landscapes significant to Ngunnawal
breathtaking views of the city and surrounding hills
our rural past, including where surveyors marked the northern border in 1910
a mosaic of living forests and gardens at the National Arboretum Canberra
nature reserves and bushland hills protecting some of Canberra’s endangered ecological communities and species.

Look out for pictures of the trail's flora and fauna on each of the trail head signs and learn about Canberra's plants and animals. Bring a pencil and your own printed version of the Whose Backyard activity sheet (1.9 MB) to collect a special pencil rubbing for each trail section.

Add a flora or fauna sighting to the NatureMapr or visit the Canberra Birds website for a list and description of birds you may see along the way.

Finding your way

Canberra Centenary Trail signage example

GPS maps

These GPX files are for handheld GPS devices which require GPS software. Alternatively, you may view these using Google Earth:

KMZ map

Canberra Centenary Trail KMZ file [GPX 250.2 KB]. Learn how to view KMZ files on Google Earth.

Downloadable / printable maps

These are being updated and will be published here when they are available.

Signage

Trail heads are access points that have trail signage, car parking and public toilets nearby. Each trail head sign has a trail map with information on location and permitted recreation activities in the adjacent area.

Directional marker posts provide limited guidance in each section.

For cyclists

Easy

Difficultly symbol: Green circle

Intermediate

Difficultly symbol: Blue square

The Centenary Trail is primarily maintained as a Green (Easy) mountain biking trail. This includes a combination of sealed cycle path, gravel management trail and single track. The trail is suitable for electric mountain bikes, regular mountain bikes and gravel bikes.

Short sections of management trail may exceed the green trail parameters due to unavoidable steep gradients. These areas may require cyclists to dismount for safety, depending on experience.

The Northern Centenary Trail (between Little Mulligans Flat through to Hall) and the Southern Centenary Trail (between Kambah Pool through to Pine Island) are maintained as a Blue (Intermediate) mountain biking trail.

GPS maps

This GPX file is for handheld GPS devices which require GPS software. Alternatively, you may view these using Google Earth:

Ride Alignment [GPX 5.2 MB]

Shorter walks

If you only have a few hours, try one of these shorter walks on the trail.

Kambah Pool to Red Rocks Gorge Lookout

Grade 3

Distance: 6 km return (2 hours)

Start this walk at Kambah Pool carpark and look for your starting point at the edge of the carpark. This scenic walk is an out-and-back trail and follows the Murrumbidgee River. See evidence of wombats along the trail and listen out for small birds foraging along the river’s edge. The Red Rocks Gorge Lookout provides a great view of the Murrumbidgee River and you’ll feel a world away from urban Canberra.

Short steep sections formed track with some obstacles, sign posted, no experience required.

One Tree Hill Summit

Grade 3

Distance: 9 km return (3 hours)

Start this walk at the village of Hall and head north along Victoria Street (the village's main street) until you reach Hoskins Street where you turn right. Follow this street to Hall Street where you turn left until you reach the trail head sign. The trail winds uphill for 4 km, in and out of tree cover with impressive views over North Canberra. The first section of trail is shared with cyclists so keep a look out. The last section of trail to the summit lookout is for walkers only and 4of Canberra's 5city/town centres can be seen on a clear day from the top.

Remember to keep to the path and please, no dogs on this trail.

The Northern Link (Hall Village to Forde) is closed during Total Fire Bans and inclement weather conditions.

Short steep sections, formed track with some obstacles, many steps, sign posted, some bushwalking experience recommended.

Mount Ainslie Loop

Grade 3

Distance: 8 km return (3 hours)

This loop starts and finishes at Remembrance Park. Park at the Australian War Memorial for easy access. The loop starts by following the popular Kokoda Track for 1 km up to the summit of Mount Ainslie. From here you can see views over Canberra, looking straight down ANZAC Avenue towards Parliament House.

At the north-eastern end of the summit, the trail will invite you down some stairs through a Centenary Trail 'archway' where you become immersed in the bush, away from the usual hum of the city. The final 4 km follows management trail that winds its way back to Remembrance Park. The management trail is shared with recreational cyclists and equestrians.

Short steep sections, formed track, many steps, sign posted, no experience required.

Mount Arawang Loop

Grade 3

Distance: 3.5 km return (1 hour)

This loop starts and finishes at the Namatjira Drive entry to Cooleman Ridge. Park at Ballarat Street for easy access. Take care crossing Namatjira Drive. This walk begins on management trail skirting the base of Mt Arawang. You can walk the loop either direction, although we recommend you head south first to enjoy a gentler climb. You’ll start ascending the hill after crossing a small bridge, about 1 km into the walk. On the climb you’ll pass some fantastic rock features and a small stand of casuarina trees.

At the Mount Arawang trig point, enjoy views west to the Brindabella Mountains. It’s a great sunset spot.

On your descent listen out for small birds that frequent this area, then follow the management trail behind the houses back to where you started.

Short steep sections, formed track, many steps, sign posted, no experience required.

Where to stay

The view of rolling hills from the Northern Border Campground

Campsites along Canberra Centenary Trail include:

The Visit Canberra website has information on other accommodation options.

Before you go/How to get there

Before you go

Prepare by:

downloading the EMERGENCY + App on your smart device in case of an emergency (Google play store, Apple app store)
planning the walk or ride according to your ability
checking alerts
checking the weather forecast
assessing options for detouring off-trail to explore Canberra's attractions
lining up a café or restaurant to visit after your ride or walk.

You will need to:

tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return
carry a map or download one to your device
take your rubbish with you (bins are not provided)
bring your own drinking water
be aware that mobile phone reception may be unreliable along some sections of trail
make transport arrangements for the start and end points
wear suitable clothing for the conditions
check if dogs are allowed on your intended route
be bushfire alert – on total fire ban days some areas may be closed

Please abide by rules noted on the signs.

How to get there

The starting location of Section 1 – Parliament House to Watson is indicated on the map below. For the starting location of other sections please visit the relevant section specific page (see 'Trail sections' above).

Boundary mapping is indicative only.

More information

If you notice any issues during your visit:

report maintenance issues to Access Canberra
report vandalism or other illegal activities to the police on 131 444

Find out about:

things to do

Download:

Whose Backyard activity sheet [1.9 MB]

Planned Park Closures: Thermal Assisted Aerial Control (TAAC) Program

In a life threatening emergency dial Triple Zero (000)

triple zero 000

5124 0000

6201 6111

1800 629 354

6205 1065

13 11 26

5124 9977

(02) 6205 1700

1800 022 222

13 25 00

Canberra Centenary Trail

Ngunnawal Country and People

Trail sections

What you'll experience

Finding your way

GPS maps

KMZ map

Downloadable / printable maps

Signage

For cyclists

Easy

Intermediate

GPS maps

Shorter walks

Kambah Pool to Red Rocks Gorge Lookout

One Tree Hill Summit

Mount Ainslie Loop

Mount Arawang Loop

Where to stay

Before you go

How to get there

More information