We follow a fire trail to the SE to meet up with the Bradleys Creek Walk. After a short while we go off-trail to enter the Cuumbean NR proper. We descend a spur to the NW to Valley Creek and then follow the contours of Valley Creek NW crossing varies gullies and creeks and ascending and descending several spurs and knolls before a steep climb NE to join the Queanbeyan River Trail. We have a brief respite from off-trail walking as we follow this trail to the SE prior to descending towards Valley Creek via various ridges, spurs, and gullies. One last steep ascent to the SW, a ridge line and descend to the W to connect once again to Bradleys Creek Walk. We have a side trip to take in the Googong Dam and then join the Black Wallaby Loop Track to return to our start. The walk will be predominately off-trail, criss-crossing the undulating landscape with some steep sections and rocky/grassy slopes and creek lines that are slippery and/or unstable under foot with varying thickness of vegetation from open woody grasslands to moderately thick scrub. Walking pole(s) and gloves might be useful at times and gaiters and/or long pants a must to protect legs.
Hike fit: The linear distance of approx. 12.5km with an elevation gain of 600m makes this equivalent to an 18.5km hike and will take approximately 5.5hrs to complete. Given the nature of the terrain (surface, vegetation, steepness) and the length/elevation gain/loss the hike is likely to be moderately strenuous and best suited to walkers with a good level of fitness, whom are confident off track and have hiked regularly during the past 3 months and in the last month have completed successfully at least one hike equivalent to/or greater than 12km. Nature Connection: Please note this walk will involve deliberate periods of quiet, attentive, and reflective mindful walking to foster a more immersive experience of and deeper connection with the country we will be walking in.