Bridge to Bridge Loop

The Bridge to Bridge Loop is a flat 5km circuit of Lake Burley Griffin's central basin in Canberra, crossing Commonwealth Avenue Bridge and Kings Avenue Bridge to close the loop. It is sealed the whole way and takes about an hour at walking pace, which makes it one of the few capital walks a dog of any age can finish comfortably.

The walk

Five kilometres, flat and pram width for its full length, with no steps and no climbing, and because it is a true loop you finish where you parked. The Parkes side takes in Questacon, the National Library and Rond Terrace, with the National Gallery's sculpture garden on the way.

Worth knowing

On lead, all of it. The National Capital Authority's position is that dogs on national land must be on a lead unless a sign says otherwise, and its shared pathway rule reaches ten metres either side of the path, so stepping onto the grass does not release you.

Several spots on and near the loop are prohibited outright: the Regatta Point and Boundless playgrounds, Old Parliament House Gardens and the barbecue areas of Commonwealth Park. Carry bags, because fines apply for an uncollected pile or an uncontrolled dog.

Max: the ten metre rule around the path is the one that catches people out. Letting your dog sniff on the grass still puts you inside the on-lead zone.

Getting there

Free weekend parking on Wendouree Drive is the easiest start, while Rond Terrace and the Questacon car parks are paid. Buses run close to the lake on the Parkes and Acton sides, and the sealed surface makes the loop work for prams and wheelchairs too.

Leash status

On lead end to end, including ten metres either side of the shared path.

Water

Bring your own. Off-lead swimming in the lake is limited to two marked spots, Orana Bay and Kurrajong Point, so check the NCA map before a keen swimmer gets near the edge.

Hazards

Fast cyclists on the shared path, occasional blue-green algae warnings on the lake, and the prohibited zones around playgrounds and barbecues.

When to go

Early morning gives calm water and lighter path traffic, and spring weekends bring Floriade crowds through Commonwealth Park.

More walks nearby

The wider Lake Burley Griffin Loop keeps going if 5km was not enough, and Yarralumla Dog Park is the closest fenced off-lead option.

Margot Espresso Bar covers the coffee, and the rest is on the Parkes destination page or in the ACT trails guide.