General information
Distance: 10 kilometers
Total climb: 369 meters
Time taken: 3 hours 15 minutes
Maps: Cotter Dam 8627-2N 1:25 000; Umburra 8627-1S 1:25 000
Start point distance by road from Canberra GPO: 38 kilometers
Start point map grid reference: 55H FA 71303 97832 [Cotter Dam]
Destination map grid reference: loop walk
End point: same as startRoute
http://maps.six.nsw.gov.au/
Description
This hike started out by retracing the route along Swamp Creek which a friend and I discovered back in May 2016. We found the walking trail to be still easy to find and navigate along, although some fallen trees had to be negotiated. When we reached the locked gate (complete with 'No Trespassing' sign) at map grid reference 55H FA 69148 99244 - the corner of the Brindabella National Park nearest Dingo Dell Flats - we followed the boundary fence east and then north until we came to the crest of a ridge running up to the east. We followed this ridge through moderately thick bush until we reached Doctors Flat Road. We then followed Doctors Flat Road east until we came to the Pig Hill Trail. We could have continued along Doctors Flat Road to climb Pig Hill, but this would have added over 5 kilometers to the walk and time was getting short. We therefore followed the Pig Hill Trail which ran steeply downhill to the southeast, eventually coming to the gate at the boundary of the National Park. We then continued to follow the trail south right back to where we left the car.
The walk along Swamp Creek is one of the most pleasant walks I have found near to Canberra. The bushland we passed through is very pretty and the sound of birds is everywhere around. Swamp Creek still had a good flow of water, and we actually found a spot that could be used as a small swimming hole on a hot day. The walk from the 'No Trespassing' sign was not particularly difficult, although the eucalyptus regrowth was very thick in some places. The return trip from Doctors Flat Road was easy and fast.
The walk along Swamp Creek is one of the most pleasant walks I have found near to Canberra. The bushland we passed through is very pretty and the sound of birds is everywhere around. Swamp Creek still had a good flow of water, and we actually found a spot that could be used as a small swimming hole on a hot day. The walk from the 'No Trespassing' sign was not particularly difficult, although the eucalyptus regrowth was very thick in some places. The return trip from Doctors Flat Road was easy and fast.
