Greater Sydney Parklands

Shale Hills Loop

Enjoy the Shale Hills Loop walk through Cumberland Plain Woodland, with wetland views and birdwatching.

An older couple strolls along a path at Shale Hills Loop, walking their dog.
Length

3.6 km

Duration

1 hour

Location

Entry: Via Second and Mannow Ave, West Hoxton

The Shale Hills Loop is the perfect spot to get active while surrounded by the natural surrounds of the Cumberland Plain Woodland. A moderate level walk on a sealed pathway, the loop leads you through to a tranquil wetland and the Badu Lookout viewing area. It also connects to multiple other tracks and trails in the Parklands. 

Keep a look out for the changing colours in the tree trunks of Forest Red Gum, particularly after rain. Look to the skies and you might get lucky and see Little Eagles and Goshawks soaring. Why not combine a visit to the popular off-leash Shale Hills Dog Park!

Shale Hills Loop features 
Suitable:Walking, running, cycling (great for young kids)
Surface:Sealed loop, connecting to some unsealed Parklands' trails
Grade:Grade 2. No bushwalking experience required. (See below for more information on track grading.)
Accessibility:Suitable for mobility scooters and prams
Dog friendly:

The Loop is set close to our largest off-leash dog park which has a dog activity circuit, sensory garden and two separate dog runs. 

You can combine a visit to the Shale Hills Dog Park with your pooch and a walk, run or cycle around the Shale Hills Loop, or explore further into our other tracks and trails that connect to the Parklands. 

Dogs must stay on-leash while on the loop and other walking tracks and trails.

Facilities:
  • Water fountain
  • Amphitheatre (a popular and free four-tiered education space)
  • Badu lookout and dam viewing area

 

Please note there are no toilets at Shale Hills (the closest facilities are at Carnes Hill Marketplace).

Getting there:

The best way to get there is by car with parking available at each entry point. Enter via Shale Hills Dog Park at the intersection of Second and Mannow Avenue, or join from the southern end of Moondara Drive. Local residents can also walk, run or cycle into the parklands. There are bus stops along Carmichael Drive.

The loop has multiple entry points. Shale Hills Dog Park carpark off Mannow Ave, West Hoxton is the best for parking, or you can join from Moondara Drive.

 

How a track gets its grade

The grading system assesses a walk’s difficulty based on several criteria, including: experience required, steps, gradient, path quality, and signage. A walk’s final grade is based on the most difficult of these 5 criteria, rather than an average. So some walks will have criteria that meet an easier grade. 

View Shale Hills Loop map (PDF, 644 KB)

  • Two people stroll with their dog beneath the Shale Hills Loop sign.
    Two women at an intersection at Shale Hills Loop, walking their dog.
  • Two women stroll along the Shale Hills Loop path, walking their dog beside a sign.
    Two women walking a German Shepherd at Shale Hills Loop.
  • Two women walk their dog together on a path at Shale Hills Loop.
    People enjoying a walk at Shale Hills Loop.
  • An elderly man and woman stroll with their dog on a bridge at Shale Hills Loop.
    People crossing a bridge with their dog at Shale Hills Loop.