Black Mountain from National Botanic Gardens

2 h to 3 h 15 min

6.2 km
circuit

↑ 253 m
↓ -253 m

Moderate track
Starting from the car park near Pollen Cafe in Australian National Botanic Gardens, ACT, this circuit walk leads up to Black Mt., exploring the photogenic botanical gardens first. On your way to the top you’ll enter the scenic forest track, pivoting around the summit and providing you with great views over Canberra. After making it up to the summit, the walk loops back to the start. Going through the botanic gardens, you’ll feel like you’re in an amazon rainforest with all the exotic plants and trees. Pivoting around Black Mt., you’ll be able to see almost all of Canberra as the forest track has panoramic views at every angle. You won’t miss the iconic Telstra Tower on top, as it rises 195 meters above the summit. Keep in mind that the botanic gardens close at 5PM, so make sure you get your vehicle out before that. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
Show all
Downloads GPX PDF

+
-
Safer Bushwalks
Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.
+
-
Getting There
Transport options and directions
Start (-35.2782973,149.1094702)
Mode Car
DirectionsFrom Parkes Way
  • Turn on to Clunies Ross Street Offramp then drive for 260 m
  • Turn slight right onto Clunies Ross Street Offramp and drive for another 10 m
  • Turn right onto Clunies Ross Street and drive for another 510 m
  • Turn left and drive for another 115 m
  • Turn slight right and drive for another 90 m
  • Turn left and drive for another 85 m
  • Keep left and drive for another 5 m
+
-
Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started
From the end of the signposted car park in Australian National Botanical Gardens, follow the concrete footpath towards the metal bridge with railings. As you come to the end of the bridge, veer left and join the footpath, moving directly away from the car park. Follow the concrete/metal footpath as you keep the Pollen Cafe on your right to continue along Black Mountain from Botanical Gardens Track.....
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
After another 15 m veer right.
There is a toilet (about 105 m back from the start).
There is water tap (about 85 m back from the start).
Visitor's Centre (about 85 m back from the start).
After another 100 m continue straight.
After another 105 m pass the "Pollen Cafe" (20 m on your right).
After another 75 m continue straight.
After another 60 m turn left.
After another 75 m continue straight.
After another 85 m turn right.
After another 30 m continue straight.
After another 135 m pass the picnic table (100 m on your right).
After another 10 m turn right.
After another 150 m continue straight, to head along Black Mountain Summit Walk.
After another 145 m continue straight, to head along Black Mountain Summit Walk.
After another 140 m veer left, to head along Black Mountain Summit Walk.
After another 70 m turn right, to head along Black Mountain Summit Walk.
After another 50 m head through/around the gate.

Mo-Fr 09:30-16:30
After another 20 m (at the intersection of Black Mountain Summit Walk & Frith Road) turn right, to head along Black Mountain Summit Walk (a walking track).
After another 90 m head through/around the gate.
After another 30 m (at the intersection of up and over & Black Mountain Summit Walk) continue straight, to head along Black Mountain Summit Walk (a footpath).
After another 130 m head through the bicycle barrier.
After another 570 m head through the bicycle barrier.
Continue straight, to head along Black Mountain Summit Walk.
After another 75 m head through the bicycle barrier.
At the intersection of Forest Track (scenic) & Black Mountain Summit Walk turn left, to head along Forest Track (scenic).
After another 285 m continue straight, to head along Forest Track (scenic).
After another 570 m continue straight, to head along Forest Track (scenic).
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional little side trip taking you to a dated scenic view area with multiple viewpoints. To start this optional side trip turn left here. On returning from this side trip continue straight when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 30 m turn right.
After another 35 m (at the intersection of Forest Track (scenic) & Black Mountain Drive) continue straight, to head along Forest Track (scenic) (a footpath).
After another 315 m cross the ford.
After another 155 m continue straight, to head along Forest Track (scenic).
After another 670 m veer right, to head along Forest Track (scenic).
After another 85 m (at the intersection of Forest Track (scenic) & Black Mountain Summit Walk) turn left, to head along Black Mountain Summit Walk.
After another 70 m continue straight, to head along Black Mountain Summit Walk.
After another 680 m (at the intersection of Black Mountain Summit Walk & up and over) continue straight, to head along Black Mountain Summit Walk (a walking track).
After another 130 m (at the intersection of Frith Road & Black Mountain Summit Walk) veer right, to head along Black Mountain Summit Walk (a walking track).
After another 65 m turn left, to head along Black Mountain Summit Walk.
After another 70 m veer right, to head along Black Mountain Summit Walk.
After another 140 m continue straight, to head along Black Mountain Summit Walk.
After another 145 m continue straight.
After another 150 m turn left.
After another 175 m turn left.
After another 85 m continue straight.
After another 75 m turn right.
After another 145 m continue straight.
After another 90 m continue straight.
After another 30 m come to a car park.
The end.

Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
After another 130 m turn left, to head along Black Mountain Summit Walk.
After another 70 m come to the "Black Mountain Lookout" (15 m on your right).
Turn left.
After another 10 m pass the "Black Mountain" (55 m on your right).
After another 15 m turn right.
After another 20 m turn left.
After another 20 m come to a seat.
The end.
A sign.
About 50 m past the end is a water tap.
About 125 m past the end is "Black Mountain Lookout".
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 270 m to the main route.

An optional little side trip taking you to a dated scenic view area with multiple viewpoints.
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
After another 25 m continue straight.
After another 15 m come to the viewpoint (50 m on your left).
After another 140 m come to a viewpoint.
About 45 m past the end is a viewpoint.
The end.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 180 m to the main route.
+
-
Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Black Mountain from National Botanic Gardens


Grading
Class 3/6
Moderate track
Length 6.2 km
Time 2 h to 3 h 15 min
Quality of track Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
Gradient Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage Clearly signposted (1/6)
Infrastructure Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (2/6)
Experience Required No experience required (2/6)
Weather Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)

Some facilities on route
Toilet: There is one -86 m back from the start.

Seat: There is one 2.5 km (plus an extra 280 m along side route) from the start.


Order of key facilities on route
ItemFrom StartName & link to notes
Toilet
-86 m[toilet]
Seat
2.5 km + 280 m[seat]
+
-
Reviews & Feedback
Share your experience
+
-
Weather & Alerts
Check forecasts & closures
Show Full Weather
Alerts and Closures
Show all alerts
Show all alerts
Show all alerts
+
-
Other Journeys
Discover nearby and similar journeys
Some of the information and maps on this page was generated using data from the awesome © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Please see how you can embed some widgets, access data and other stuff to that might be helpful.