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.
-33.7801, 151.2578Sydney, Australia
Manly Dam Circuit
Sydney's trail-running playground
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.
- Distance
- 7.31 km
- Elevation
- 86 m
- Time
- 45–60 min
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Type
- Loop
TrailHard
Route map
Every stop, mapped
Loading map…
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 eastern arm — expect wet shoes after rain.
-33.7748, 151.2695Photo 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
- -33.7788, 151.2601
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
Local tip
Swim in the reservoir afterwards; it's one of the few freshwater swims in Sydney.
- Manly Vale bakeries — Five minutes' drive for a proper post-run feed.
Route pack
Download the Manly Dam Circuit pack
The GPX file plus everything on this page, ready for your watch and your pocket.
- GPX file
- Route map
- Route summary
- Elevation profile
- Route highlights
- Photo-stop guide
- Public transport info
- Local recommendations