Australian Hiker

Nearest Town

Canberra

Starting Location

Devils Gap car park, Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve

Entry to the Devils gap car park is well signposted. There is limited parking for about 5 cars

 

Finish Location

Devils Gap car park, Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve

Best Time to Travel

Year round. This is one of those walks  best done when there some mist and fog on the trail

Devils Gap Trail Review

The Devils Gap walk is one of those walks that you really need to pick on the right day. I have rated this as a ‘2’ on our experience rating as when I walked this in late November it was promising to be a hot day and there wasn’t a lot that really excited me about this walk. I think that on a winters day with a bit of fog or just after a shower with some mist it would have potential.

Start the walk by walking across the small pedestrian crossing to the trail register. Much of this walk is on fire trail which is not my favourite. Your trip follows the fire trail up to ‘Devils Gap’. Once you go past the Devil Gap sign look to the left and you will see a metal marker post that doesn’t appear to have any signage (there is a sign on the back) and turn to the left to a bush section. This section provides a bit of variety which greatly improves this walk making it feel a bit more natural. This bush section finishes back on the fire trail and its here that you take another left turn  and head back up the hill. You will come to a branch in the road with signs on either side that directs you to take the left turn which puts you back on the fire trail. Upon reaching the high point you will reach a large steel gate which you go through to enter back into Tibinbilla again. This road will take you back down to the carpark and on the way you pass the bush loop that you took earlier on.

You have the option of doing this in reverse but my preference is to come down a flight of long stairs rather than walk up them. There are some good views on the trail but overall I cant say that this walk is ever going to be in my top 10. At best this is a easy training walk (for a fit hiker).

 

There is plenty of warning to enter the car park providing you have driven the Tidbinbilla loop anti-clockwise

Devils Gap Carpark sign

Devils Gap Car park

Cross the road to the trail register and walk start. Follow the fire trail

Trail register. Don’t forget to sign in, and out

Typical shot of the fire trail

You will come across this post on the trail and its here you want to turn right onto a bush loop. There is a sign on the other side of the post

The same post as viewed from the other side

Small bridge on the loop

Boundary gate. The limited trail notes provided by the reserve have this gate as the return point. You could just walk up the hill to the loop and then return but it would be a very boring walk

Devils gap looking over Church Rock walk in the first clearing below then onto the Dalsetta carpark (This is where the Gilbralter Peak walk starts from) in the second clearing. This walk does help to provide perspective for the rest of the reserve

Views out to the the valleys below

Stairs on the bush loop. walk this loop anticlockwise as thes stairs are a lot longer than they look

Trail marker on the bush loop

Small bridge on the bush loop

Pea flower

Getting There

Image from Google Maps

The trip from the centre of Canberra is approximately 40 minutes and 45 km. Once you enter the nature reserve itself travel to the Dalsetta car park (stop here for a toilet break if you need to) then continue on the loop road taking the right branch each time you have the option. Devils Gap car park is well signposted so as long as you are reading the signs you won’t have any problems.

Upon entry to the the Reserve follow the loop road and stay to the right if this is your first visit as that is the way the signage works. Once you’ve been there keep to the left on the loop road for a much shorter trip.

Entrance to Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve

Tidbinbilla Visitor Centre and boom gate. If you have an annual pass you can just swipe your card for access without having to enter the visitor centre

Things to Know

• Phone: There is occasional phone signal on the hiker peaks (Telstra)
• Water: You need to bring your own water
• Toilets: The closest toilet is at the Dalsetta car park which you pass on the way to the Devils Gap car park
• Trail: This walk is on a combination of dirt management road/trail
• Dogs: Dogs NOT allowed
• Other: 
  • Bring adequate shade (hat, long sleeves etc) in the hotter months
  • No camping is allowed on this trail
  • The visitor centre sells snacks if you need
  • Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve requires a pass to enter with your car (with up to 8 passengers) (23 October 2022)
    • The annual pass is $39.50 and if you plan on doing at least three visits over the year is the cheapest option
    • A day pass is $14.50
    • If you have an annual pass you can enter the park via the boom gate and scan you pass from as early 7:30 am in the morning and you will need to be out by 6:00 pm at the latest (8:00 pm in summer). If you are buying a single entry into the park you will need to wait until the visitor centre opens at 10:00 am (9:00 am in the summer).
• The Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve contains a series of walks that are closer to Canberra than those at nearby Namadgi National Park. Many of the Namadgi walks, particularly those that go into the Bimberi Wilderness Zone, are more remote requiring a higher level of skill but with it a higher degree of seclusion whereas the Tibinbilla walks are easier  to access but you are unlikely to be alone on the trail.

 

Disclaimer

This walk was undertaken by the team from Australian Hiker

Shares

Related articles