Congewai East Track Head to Watagan Forest Motel via Forestry HQ Campsite

Download & Print Map and Notes

2 Days

29.7 km One way

1702 m

Hard track
This section of the Great North Walk starts from the Congewai Valley east track head and heads north up into the Watagan National Park, climbing up to the ridgeline and following the management trails and bush tracks heading east all the way to the Forestry HQ campsite. On day two, the walk continues east, winding all the way around the ridge and past some great lookouts to the Heaton communications tower and down the steep ridgeline to Freemans Drive and the Watagan Forest Motel.

Maps for the Congewai East Track Head to Watagan Forest Motel via Forestry HQ Campsite walk

You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.
These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.
Quorrobolong 1:25 000 Map Series 91322S QUORROBOLONG NSW-91322S
Cessnock 1:50 000 Map Series 91322 CESSNOCK CW-91322
Cessnock 1:100 000 Map Series 9132 CESSNOCK 9132

Cross sectional view of the Congewai East Track Head to Watagan Forest Motel via Forestry HQ Campsite bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Congewai East Track Head to Watagan Forest Motel via Forestry HQ Campsite

Daily actual walking time estimates

Day Walking Time Length
1 6 hrs 44 mins 18 km
2 5 hrs 11 mins 12.5 km

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001

Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.

Length 29.7 km
Time 2 Days
.




Grade 4/6



Hard track
AS 2156.1 Gradient Very steep (4/6)
Quality of track Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
Signs Minimal directional signs (4/6)
Experience Required Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6)
Weather Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)
Infrastructure Limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) (4/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

12km of this walk has short steep hills and another 10km is very steep. The remaining (8km) has gentle hills with occasional steps.

Quality of track

16km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail and another 9km follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles. The remaining (4.5km) follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely.

Signs

26km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection and another 3.7km has minimal directional signs. The remaining (170m) is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

15km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience and another 12km requires some bushwalking experience. The remaining (2.6km) requires a leader a with moderate level of bushwalking experience.

weather

Around 28km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 1.7km is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.

Infrastructure

20km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced) and another 6km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats). The remaining (3.9km) has limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Congewai East Track Head to Watagan Forest Motel via Forestry HQ Campsite walk.

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Congewai East Track Head to Watagan Forest Motel via Forestry HQ Campsite walk.

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Congewai East Track Head to Watagan Forest Motel via Forestry HQ Campsite walk starts at the Congewai Valley east trackhead (gps: -32.995219, 151.30044)
Your main transport option to Congewai Valley east trackhead is by;
Car. There is free parking available.
(get details)



The Congewai East Track Head to Watagan Forest Motel via Forestry HQ Campsite ends at the Heaton Gap Track Head (gps: -32.965275, 151.47939)
Your main transport option to Heaton Gap Track Head is by;
Car. There is free parking available.
(get details)


Fire Danger

Each park may have its own fire ban, this rating is only valid for today and is based on information from the RFS Please check the RFS Website for more information.

Weather Forest

This walk starts in the Hunter weather district always check the formal BOM forecast or pdf before starting your walk.

Forecast snapshot

Park Information & Alerts

Comments

 


Short URL = http://wild.tl/cethtwfmvfhc


Gallery images
There are other downloads I am still working on.
You will probably need to login to access these — still all free.
* KML (google earth file)
* GPX (GPS file)

Special Maps/ brochures
* A3 topo maps
* PDF with Lands Topo map base
* PDF with arial image (and map overlay)
I wanted to get the main site live first, this extra stuff will come in time.
Happy walking
Matt 🙂