Trail Review: Cooleman Ridge

Looking towards the Bullen and Brindabella ranges.

One of the thirty areas of Canberra Nature Park, Cooleman Ridge borders the southwest side of the Weston Creek suburb of Chapman, and, the north western area of Tuggeranong (Kambah).

Cooleman Ridge provides a beautiful way to escape our sometimes hectic lives. On the southwest side, there are the beautiful open spaces of farmland with the spectacular background of the Bullen and Brindabella ranges. On the Chapman side of "the ridge" you have views of the Woden Valley, Weston Creek, Canberra CBD, and, the untouched mountains scattered throughout the Canberra area.

Looking towards the Canberra CBD from Mt Arawang.

The nature park is surrounded by fire trail around the lower parts of the ridge, with interconnecting trails between each side and over the top of the ridge. The reasonably maintained outer loop is about 10km and perfect for a weekday run, with many options for shorter or more difficult runs by using the interconnecting trails.

For those of you that like that don't mind a hill or two, Cooleman Ridge provides great views from it's two highest points at the summit of Mt Arawang and the Cooleman Trig point. The trails to these are narrower single tracks, some of which, are not in the best condition.

Where to access it?

The suburb of Chapman provides plenty of access points to Cooleman Ridge. However, for those considering making the trip by car, or are unfamiliar with the area, here are the three best locations for accessing Cooleman Ridge:

• Namatjira Dr, Chapman 
• Hake Street, in northwest Kambah
• Kathner St, Chapman

Common access points to Cooleman Ridge

Wanting more?

For those thinking of longer runs, there are trails connecting Cooleman Ridge to Narrabundah Hill in Duffy then onto Mt Stromlo; to McQuoid's Hill and on to the Murrumbidgee Discovery Trail; or if you're willing to cross a road or two, you can easily connect your run to Mt Taylor and the Woden Valley.

Maps

Courtesy of OpenStreetMap.org

Here is outer fire trail route of Cooleman Ridge on Strava. This route is easily modified to take in Mt Arawang summit.

Sounds good? Join us for a social run this Thursday 28th November 2013 at 6:30PM.