Oakey Hill Nature Reserve

Oakey Hill rises above Lyons with views across the Woden and Weston Creek valleys, and it is an easy bush climb close to Woden. Dogs are allowed, but only on a lead and on the tracks.

Lead rules

The reserve is part of Canberra Nature Park, managed by Parks ACT. The lead rule protects declining woodland birds and the vulnerable pink-tailed worm-lizard, so keep your dog leashed and on the formed tracks.

The walk

Tracks are unpaved dirt, earth and gravel, including management trails. The climb is mild to moderate, through drooping she-oaks and eucalypts.

Some stretches are shaded by trees, while the higher, exposed sections take full sun.

What to carry

There are no bins in the reserve, so every bag leaves with you. There is no water on the tracks either, so bring enough for the dog. Small informal parking spots sit near the entry points on the residential edges of Lyons.

Max: No bins up here. Pack a spare bag and a way to carry it home.

Make a day of it

Finish with a coffee at La Veera Cafe in Lyons.

Go early in summer before the exposed sections heat up. For a longer outing, Mount Taylor Nature Reserve to the south offers more on-lead tracks.