Burraga Track

The Burraga Track is a 4.2 km circuit through Bidjigal Reserve at West Pennant Hills, threading sandstone gullies and coachwood forest into suburban Sydney. Dogs are welcome, and the reason is simple: the reserve is Hills Shire Council land rather than a national park, so a leashed dog on the formed track is a normal sight rather than a rule break.

The walk

Count on 4.2 km of moderate ground, which most walkers cover in two to two and a half hours. The distance is modest but the surface is not: rocky steps, exposed tree roots and a few steep pitches in and out of the creek line. Guide posts carry a yellow bandicoot marker, and the circuit is commonly joined to the neighbouring Platypus Track for a longer loop if your dog still has legs at the end.

Leash status

Dogs on lead at all times, managed through the Bidjigal Reserve Trust for the council. This is a conservation area, so the point of the rule is keeping a dog out of the undergrowth where the native wildlife lives: keep to the formed track rather than letting them range. One seasonal caution: during the council's periodic fox baiting programs signage can temporarily restrict dogs in the reserve, so it pays to check The Hills Shire Council alerts before you drive out.

Watch-outs

The sandstone goes slick after rain and the root systems across the path are a trip risk for a dog towing ahead on lead. If it rained a day or two ago, budget a slower pace than the distance suggests.

Max: the gullies hold their shade and stay cool, which makes this one of the better summer bushwalks in the Hills, but the descents are steep enough that a puller will drag you down them. Shorten the lead and let them set the pace on the way in.

Water

No taps and no toilets at the trailheads, and there are no bins or bag dispensers anywhere along the track. Carry water for both of you and bag everything out.

Getting there

The main entry sits at the end of Heidi Place in West Pennant Hills, with alternates off Highs Road and Blacks Road. Parking is residential street only and thin on weekend mornings, so either arrive early or start from one of the quieter entries. Pennant Hills and Cherrybrook stations are the closest rail access, each with a walk or connecting bus at the far end.

Close by with the dogs

The Platypus Track connects directly and is the natural extension. If your dog would rather run than wander, Colbarra Place Reserve Fenced Dog Park is the local off-lead option, with Greenway Park at Cherrybrook a few minutes away. For coffee afterwards, Remy Cafe and Bistro at Castle Hill is a reasonable stop on the drive home.

When to go

A dry weekday morning. The tree cover keeps the gullies cool well into the day, and the enclosure of the bush makes this a good pick for nervous dogs who prefer quiet to open parkland.

More options are on the NSW dog walks guide and the West Pennant Hills destination page.