Manly Dam

Details

Distance: 7.5km
Location: North Balgowlah
Drive time from Sydney CBD: 30 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
On-off lead: On/Off lead
Pippa’s rating: 3.5 stars
Google Maps link to trailhead

Description

This walk is a 7.5km loop around Manly Dam. Manly Dam is considered a classic urban walking spot renowned for being dog friendly. Whilst dogs are welcome (on leash) in general, there are many local confusing rules and restrictions. For instance, dogs are not allowed in the car park (?), not the picnic areas (fair enough), nor swimming at certain parts of the dam (no explaination given).

The walk is nice, with the highlight being the section between the bridge and Manly Creek Waterfall which are proper bushland sections and slightly quieter. The sections with boat ramps/car parks/picnic areas are busy, and are actually off-limits to dog walkers. Stick to the route shown in the embedded map above which follows the trail (where dogs are permitted).

Worth noting also that the park is closed when bushfire danger ratings hit ‘extreme’, which can be often in summer. During these events only the picnic area is accessible. So check ahead!

Despite all the rules and passive aggressive signs everywhere, this walk is worth it for its ease of accessibility and for the nicer sections.