Mount Taylor via Western Powerlines and Zig Zag

Starting from Sulwood Drive, Kambah, this circuit walk takes you to the summit of Mount Taylor mostly via the Western Powerlines Fire Trail and starts descending via the Zig Zag Track. The hill, which is believed to get its name from James Taylor(a squatter), has great panoramic views of Canberra and the Brindabella Range. Serving as a green belt between the districts of Canberra, it can be a convenient way to relieve some stress. Make yourself at home and lie down, as the kangaroos accompany you on your sunbathing session. Search the skies for raptors and magpies, as they’re known to fly above the reserve. Don’t forget to bring your own water as there are no facilities provided besides seats. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Downloads GPX PDF

Safer Bushwalks Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.

Getting There Transport options and directions
Start (-35.3745283,149.0681648)
Mode Car
Directions From Tuggeranong Parkway
Turn on to then drive for 1.1 km

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From Sulwood Drive(220 metres northwest of intersection with Inkster Street), head towards the metal gate next to a signpost along the dirt/gravel path, going over a little mound on the way. Pass through the gap next to the gate and veer left, then follow the trail for about 225 meters until you come to an intersection. Veer right and follow the Western Powerlines Fire Trail to continue along Mount Taylor via Western Powerlines and Zig Zag Track.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start.
	After another 50 m (from the Sulwood Fire Trail) continue straight, to head along Sulwood Fire Trail.
	The starting point of an alternate access track. An alternate access point from/to Colquhoun Street. Details below. After another 215 m (from the Sulwood Fire Trail) turn right, to head along Sulwood Fire Trail. After another 85 m (at the intersection of Western Powerlines FT & Sulwood Actew Track) continue straight, to head along Western Powerlines FT.
	After another 640 m (at the intersection of Western Powerlines FT & Old Kambah Fire Trail) turn right. After another 185 m (from the North Taylor FT) veer right, to head along North Taylor FT (a walking track). After another 220 m (at the intersection of Summit Fire Trail & North Taylor FT) continue straight, to head along Summit Fire Trail (a vehicle track). After another 145 m (from the Summit Fire Trail) continue straight, to head along Summit Fire Trail.
	After another 660 m (from the Summit Fire Trail) turn left. After another 75 m pass the "Mount Taylor" (5 m on your left).
	From the Mt Taylor Zig Zag turn left, to head along Mt Taylor Zig Zag. After another 920 m cross the bridge (about 5 m long)
	After another 1 m (at the intersection of Mt Taylor Zig Zag & Mount Taylor Zig Zag) turn left.
	After another 390 m (from the Mt Taylor Carpark Link Track) continue straight.
	After another 190 m turn left.
	After another 320 m (from the Summit Fire Trail) turn sharp right, to head along Summit Fire Trail (a vehicle track).
	After another 145 m (at the intersection of Summit Fire Trail & North Taylor FT) continue straight, to head along North Taylor FT (a walking track). After another 220 m (from the North Taylor FT) veer left (a vehicle track).
	After another 185 m (at the intersection of Old Kambah Fire Trail & Western Powerlines FT) turn left, to head along Western Powerlines FT. After another 640 m (at the intersection of Western Powerlines FT & Sulwood Actew Track) continue straight.
	The starting point of an alternate access track. An alternate access point from/to Colquhoun Street. Details below. After another 85 m (from the Sulwood Fire Trail) turn left, to head along Sulwood Fire Trail.
	After another 215 m (from the Sulwood Fire Trail) continue straight, to head along Sulwood Fire Trail.
	After another 50 m come to the end.

An alternate access point from/to Colquhoun Street.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	From the Sulwood Fire Trail Start (a footpath). After another 65 m continue straight.
	After another 105 m come to the end.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Mount Taylor via Western Powerlines and Zig Zag

Grading

	Class 4/6 Hard track
Length	5.6 km
Time	2 h to 3 h

Quality of track	Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
Signage	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure	Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (2/6)
Experience Required	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)

Articles Discover more details to thrive on track
Get more information
| Mount Taylor Nature Reserve | Mount Taylor (from Sulwood Drive) - Australian Hiker
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Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Woden Valley Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed
  
  Thursday 31 October
  
  26°C
  Partly cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. High chance of showers, most likely in the afternoon and evening. The chance of a thunderstorm. Winds southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h becoming light in the late evening.
  
  Fire Danger Rating: Moderate
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 9:00am to 4:20pm, UV Index predicted to reach 9 [Very High]
  
  Friday 1 November
  
  9°C → 24°C
  Partly cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers. Winds southerly 15 to 20 km/h becoming light early in the morning then becoming southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h in the early afternoon.
  
  Saturday 2 November
  
  8°C → 25°C
  Partly cloudy.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Cloudy. Medium chance of showers in the morning and afternoon. Winds southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h shifting north to northeasterly 15 to 25 km/h during the afternoon.
  
  Sunday 3 November
  
  9°C → 31°C
  Becoming windy. Mostly sunny.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny. Light winds becoming northerly 15 to 25 km/h during the morning then becoming light during the evening.
  
  Monday 4 November
  
  14°C → 31°C
  Mostly sunny.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm. Winds southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h turning southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h during the morning.
  
  Tuesday 5 November
  
  12°C → 29°C
  Cloud clearing.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely during the morning. The chance of a thunderstorm. Light winds becoming easterly 15 to 20 km/h during the day.
  
  Wednesday 6 November
  
  10°C → 32°C
  Mostly sunny.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Light winds becoming northeasterly 15 to 20 km/h during the day.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- ACT Parks alerts
  When planning and before starting your trip please check ACT Parks Website for anything that may impact on your plans. It is also worth checking the Parks Facebook page for more timely information.

Start	(-35.3745283,149.0681648)
Mode	Car
Directions	From Tuggeranong Parkway Turn on to then drive for 1.1 km

Weather Forecast

Alerts