6.4 km
The dam wall
Run across the top of the 1892 wall with the reservoir on one side and the gorge on the other.
-33.7780, 151.2522Sydney, Australia
Manly Dam Circuit
Sydney's trail-running playground
- Distance
- 7.31 km
- Elevation
- 86 m
- Difficulty
- Hard
45–60 min Loop
Loops from 7 to 11 km around the Manly Dam reservoir — single track, bushland and water views, with short sharp climbs, creek crossings and a swimming reservoir at the finish.
Trail RunningWeekend AdventureHard
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Run Manly Dam Circuit with confidence
Get the complete route on your watch, plus the local detail that turns it into a memorable morning.
- GPX + Garmin download
- Elevation profile
- Printable terrain map
- Public transport info
- Photo-stop guide
- Coffee + brunch suggestions
The experience
Why you'll love this run
- One of Sydney’s most accessible trail adventures
- Creek crossings, single track and sharp climbs
- Bushland feels far removed from the city
- Swim in the reservoir after the loop
At a glance
- crowds
- scenery
- adventure
- technicality
- accessibility
Route map
Every stop, mapped
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Printable illustrated route card
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StartFinishWaterToiletsTransportCafeBeachLookoutLandmark Photo stop
Route timeline
Kilometre by kilometre
0 km
Picnic area
Head anti-clockwise onto the loop track.
3.1 km
Creek crossings
Technical rock-hop section.
5 km
Southern arm
The steepest climbs of the loop.
6.4 km
Dam wall
Cross the wall and back to the start.
7.5 km
Picnic area
Swim in the reservoir to finish.
Route highlights
The parts you'll remember
3.1 km
Creek crossings
Two rock-hop crossings on the western arm of the circuit — expect wet shoes after rain.
-33.7692, 151.2413Photo stops
Where to stop and shoot
Reservoir edge
Still water, gum trees and sandstone with no sign of the city.
- Best time
- Mid-morning
- Photography tip
- Shoot across the water with a branch overhead for a natural frame.
- GPS
- -33.7785, 151.2531
Local knowledge
Before you go
- Best time to run
- Morning, and avoid the day after heavy rain — the rock gets slick.
- Sunrise
- 6:00am summer / 6:50am winter, but the bush stays dark longer.
- Sunset
- Not recommended — the loop is unlit and easy to lose in low light.
- Parking
- Free parking at the King Street picnic area.
- Public transport
- Buses along King Street, Manly Vale, then 400 m to the trailhead.
- Water
- Tap at the picnic area only.
- Toilets
- Picnic area.
Safety
Shared with mountain bikers — the loop runs one way for bikes, listen for them. Trail shoes essential.
Getting there
- • King St bus stop
1 water point · 1 toilet stop on route
Make a morning of it
Swim in the reservoir afterwards; it's one of the few freshwater swims in Sydney.
- brunchManly Vale bakeries — Five minutes' drive for a proper post-run feed.
Ready to run Manly Dam Circuit?
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