Australian Hiker

Nearest Town

Canberra

Starting Location

Square Rock car park on Corin Road

Finish location

Square Rock car park on Corin Road

Trail head car park at Square Rock showing shelter and seating on the left of the image

Square Rock Trail Review

WARNING: Take care at the summit, as you will be close to the cliff edge.

This walk is only a short drive south of Canberra and is easy to access. The trailhead car park is large and well formed with a trail register at the edge of the car park. There is where you can also get a supply of brochures provided by the parks association that contains a map and trail information.

The walk starts 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 so take care with your footing.

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 moths 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. I would advise keeping good control with young children here. 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 on 10km it’s not a short walk but it is closer to Canberra than many other walks in Namadgi. Apart from heading up the track to the Square Rock summit there is also the option to travel to the Orrorral Valley Tracking Station picnic area, do a loop trail around Smokers Gap or combine the trails to make your own adventure at a length that suits you.

Trail brochure available at the trail head

Mesh trail section allowing for dry footing when the water is flowing

There is usually something in flower during the warmer months

Blue Tongue lizard sunning itself on the trail. This one was almost 60cm long!

Cliff warning sign as you near the summit

View from the summit

Metal stairs at the summit

Getting There

Head south from Canberra to Corin Road. The Corin Forest Mountain Retreat is on the left side of the road heading towards the Corin Dam. The car park for Square Rock is approximately 200 metres past the Retreat entrance on the left hand side of the road.

The Road is well formed and sealed all the way, and the large car park is compacted gravel and suitable for standard cars.

Things to Know

• Phone: There is minimal (almost none) phone signal on this track (Telstra)
• Water: You need to bring your own water
• Toilets: There are toilets at the trailhead
• Trail: This trail consists of formed natural trail and some mesh sections
• Dogs: No dogs allowed
• Camping: Permit required because this walk is in the cotter catchement
  • Permits available from Namadgi visitor centre
• Other: 
  • This walk is done in as an out and back
  • If doing in summertime avoid the hottest parts of the day
  • Pay attention when near the cliff edge particularly if you have children

Disclaimer

This walk was undertaken by the team from Australian Hiker

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