Curtin Horse Paddocks

Grazing horses, old cork plantings and a long view west to the Brindabellas make the Curtin Horse Paddocks one of the more interesting suburban walks in the Woden Valley. The route starts and finishes near the Curtin shops, in Curtin rather than neighbouring Lyons.

Leads and the off-lead area

Rules change along the way. Dogs must be on lead through the government horse agistment paddocks and on the horse trails.

Once you reach the North Curtin Playing Fields, dogs can come off lead for a run and ball games, as long as no sport is being played. Transport Canberra and City Services sets the rules.

Max: Clip the lead back on before the paddocks. Horses and a loose dog are a bad mix.

The walk

Expect bitumen driveways near the start, then open grass and a mix of formed and informal dirt tracks. Shade is limited across the paddocks and fields, with some mature trees around the edges.

A bubbler sits by the brick amenities block at the playing fields, with bins beside it and along the car park. A spot on the creek near the fields lets dogs wade in and cool off.

Pair it with

Oakey Hill Nature Reserve in Lyons is a strictly on-lead summit walk nearby, and La Veera Cafe is close for a coffee afterwards.

When to go

Avoid big sports days, when parking at the playing fields runs short and the off-lead space is taken. A cool morning suits the open paddocks best.