Samuel King Loop

Samuel King Loop is a 4.7 km circuit through the bushland above Lovers Jump Creek at North Turramurra, on Sydney's upper North Shore. It is Ku-ring-gai Council bushland rather than national park, which is the fact that decides the day: dogs are welcome here on lead, where the NSW national parks on this side of the city are closed to them entirely.

The walk. AllTrails puts the loop at 4.7 km and grades it easy, about an hour to an hour and a half at a dog's pace. Most of it runs on wide fire trail with a firm surface, dipping through forest and fern gullies as it drops toward the creek. It returns to where it starts, so you can turn back at any point without committing to the full circuit. For a longer day, the neighbouring Lovers Jump Creek and Samuel King Loop route covers the same country at greater length.

The rules. Dogs must be on lead throughout. Ku-ring-gai Council permits dogs in its bushland reserves under effective control on a lead, and asks that you keep to the formed track rather than cutting into the bush either side. Council also excludes dogs from designated wildlife protection areas, so read the signs at whichever trailhead you start from.

Water. Lovers Jump Creek runs alongside the lower part of the loop and gives a leashed dog somewhere to stand and cool down. Flow drops away in a dry spell, so carry water rather than counting on it.

Hazards. This is snake and tick country through the warmer months, and the fire trail turns greasy after rain, with leeches in the wetter gullies.

Getting there. The main access is the small parking area at Samuel King Park on Bobbin Head Road, with further entries at Burns Road and McRae Place that hold only a couple of cars each. There are no toilets at the trailhead. Turramurra station on the North Shore line is the nearest rail, with local buses running out along Bobbin Head Road.

Nearby with the dogs. North Turramurra Dog Park is minutes away for a proper off-lead run, Karuah Park is the next closest, and Replay Espresso opposite Turramurra station has outdoor seating for afterwards.

When to go. Weekday mornings are quietest, and the gullies hold their shade well into a warm afternoon. Give it a day or two after heavy rain. Good for steady walkers who want bush without a climb.

Sources

• Pets in public places and bushland - Ku-ring-gai Council · www.krg.nsw.gov.au
• Samuel King Loop, New South Wales, Australia - AllTrails · www.alltrails.com

Compiled from public sources and verified listings. Always confirm current rules with the venue or council before you travel.