Berowra Valley

The Berowra Valley Heritage Steps (also known as the Depression Era Steps) are a historically rich section of trail tucked inside Berowra Valley Regional Park at Old Mans Valley, right near Hornsby. ​This walk combines physical effort with living history, taking you up hundreds of hand-hewn sandstone steps surrounded by native rainforest and towering eucalyptus. ​Built in the early 1930s during the Great Depression, the steps were constructed as part of an emergency government unemployment relief project. Itinerant workers living in shanty camps in the valley hand-carved the track into the living sandstone cliffs to create a direct link between their valley encampments, the quarry crusher precinct, and the town of Hornsby. ​Along the trail, you can still see tangible reminders of the workers' spirit: ​Rock Carvings: An original message carved into the cliff face reads "PROSPERITY AROUND THE CORNER" — a brief, optimistic nod to the tough economic times. ​Bronze Book Installations: Interpretive artwork fashioned as cast-bronze open books and picks sit discreetly at resting spots along the stairs, telling stories of early timber getters, quarrying, and Depression-era life. ​The track winds through a lush gully filled with tree ferns before climbing dramatically along sandstone overhangs. Because the valley is sheltered, it supports critically endangered Sydney Blue Gum High Forest with giant eucalypts towering overhead. It’s a prime spot for birdwatching — you'll routinely hear lyrebirds, kookaburras, and cockatoos echoing through the valley. ​While the Heritage Steps section itself is only around 400 metres long, it packs a workout. Rising 100 vertical metres via 330 steps, your legs will feel the burn. Fortunately, the sandstone steps are well-maintained (upgraded in 2011), and there are flat rock ledges and shaded resting points along the way. ​The Heritage Steps can be tackled as a standalone short walk or as part of two iconic local routes: ​The Blue Gum Walk (4 km loop): A popular Hornsby circuit that descends into the valley, follows Waitara Creek, and uses the Heritage Steps to return to town. ​The Great North Walk (Thornleigh to Hornsby section): The steps serve as the final, dramatic climb out of Berowra Valley before reaching Hornsby Train Station. ​Tip: If walking from Hornsby Train Station, taking the trail down the steps into the valley is significantly easier on the lungs than coming up from Rosemead Road Reserve — though going up gives you the full authentic Depression-era worker perspective! #hike #urbex #exploreaustralia #abandoned #ruins #jungleadventure #hiking adventure #hikingaustralia #australianhistory #railway #centralcoast #woywoy #gosford #brisbanewaternationalpark #mountwonderbine #girakool #bushwalking