General Information
Distance: 14.8 kilometers
Total climb: 579 meters
Time taken: 3 hours 35 minutes
Maps: Tuggeranong 8727-3S 1:25 000
Guide: none
Start point distance by road from Canberra GPO: 34 kilometers
Start point map grid reference: 55H FA 83723 73862
Destination: Loop walk
End Point: Same as start
Route
http://maps.six.nsw.gov.au/
Description
We started at the entrance to the Bullen Reserve off Tidbinbilla Road about 1.6 kilometers west of the Point Hut Road intersection. Following the Bullen Range fire trail we started to climb up to the ridge of the Range. We diverted off the fire trail, however, to reach the peak of Barnes Hill, which gave some some good views in all directions.
Continuing along the ridge of the Bullen Range, we passed from open grassland to fairly dense forest on either side of the fire trail.
After hiking almost 5 kilometers we reached the highest elevation on our walk: just over 910 meters (the starting point was at elevation 710 meters). After another kilometer we paused for a break before staring down a very steep management trail on the western side of the range at map reference FA824790.
Eventually this took us through to a locked gate with "no trespassing" signs, so we followed the fence line south on the Reserve side until we struck the pine forest. Here we were again able to follow management trails through the forest on the western side of Bullen Range back to our starting point. This was a great walk with some excellent views, particularly where it goes through grassland. It is also very easy to access from South Canberra.
Thanks for describing this walk, Phil. We were wondering how to approach Bullen Range and your info was very helpful.
ReplyDeleteInstead of doing the loop we just returned the same way over the top, but we walked further on, to nearly 10km, basically a "farther bump". Worked out to be over 830m climbing! Quite a bumpy ridgeline.
Thanks Andrew. Brought back memories of a walk from a long time ago. I've also walked the northern part of Bullen Range, starting at the Cotter Reserve (see https://bushwalkerphil.blogspot.com/2017/02/bullen-nature-reserve-cotter-reserve-to.html). Quite nice walking, but the views aren't as spectacular as the southern end of the range.
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