The 9.5km Square Rock Walk Near Canberra Boasts Granite Outcrops and Alpine Views

Less than an hour from Canberra, the Square Rock Walk in Namadgi National Park offers stunning alpine views after a gentle ascent through mixed eucalypt forest. It’s not surprising that Elisha believes this 9.5km return walk is one of the best introductions to the Australian Alps.

We Are Explorers acknowledges that this adventure is located on the traditional Country of the Ngunnawal people who have occupied and cared for the lands, waters, and their inhabitants for thousands of years. We pay our respects to them as the Traditional Custodians and recognise that sovereignty was never ceded.

Quick Overview

The Square Rock Walk in Namadgi National Park, just under an hour from Canberra, is one of the best half-day adventures from the nation’s capital. The 9.5km moderate walk is perfect for a range of fitness levels, even achievable for families looking to take their kids on a fun outdoor activity. It winds gently up to an incredible viewpoint that looks out over the northern reaches of the Aussie Alps, and takes around three hours to complete.

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Square Rock Facts

Distance: 9.5km return
Duration: 3 hours
Elevation gain: 281m
Nearest town: Canberra

About Square Rock

Square Rock Walk is one of the most popular trails in ACT’s Namadgi National Park. This 9.5km return hike is a pleasant climb through beautiful eucalypt woodland until reaching the granite outcrop known as Square Rock at about 1,450m. From there, you can gaze out over the Brindabella Range, part of the northernmost reach of the Australian Alps.

This is a fun half-day hike, ideal for anyone with a moderate level of fitness, looking for panoramic views without too much exertion. At the top, you can explore the cluster of giant boulders looking out over the forested mountain ranges.

Namadgi is the original name for the ranges south of Canberra given by the Ngunnawal People, the Traditional Custodians. Within the national park there are significant sites linked to their cultural stories and traditions, including the significant Yankee Hat Rock Art, an hour’s drive south of Square Rock.

How to Get to the Square Rock Walk

Square Rock Walk begins at the Square Rock car park on Corin Road in Namadgi National Park. It’s located just 50km southwest from Canberra city centre, making it a very accessible day hike.

At the trailhead, you’ll find a large car park with information boards and a map underneath a shelter. It’s also the start of the much longer Smokers Trail, so follow the signposts carefully. There are no toilets at the car park.

Where to Stay Near the Square Rock Walk

There are several campgrounds within Namadgi National Park, but the closest one is Woods Reserve. This is a beautiful spot on the banks of the Gibraltar Creek, with sites for tent camping and campervans. There are toilets and showers so you can freshen up after your hike.

Please note! Woods Reserves is closed from November 2025 until mid-2026.

An alternative is Cotter Campground, a larger and more popular camping area. It’s set on the banks of the Cotter River and can cater for a wide range of camping set-ups from camper trailers to caravans. You’ll also find good facilities like drinking water, toilets, and hot showers.

Otherwise, with Canberra being less than an hour away, you can find plenty of other accommodation in and around the city depending on your comfort style.

Skill Level

Beginner-Intermediate 

The walk is considered Grade 3, meaning it’s a moderate track and is achievable for most fitness levels. While it’s not an overly challenging walk, you should still expect uneven terrain and gentle ascents, with some exposed sections at the final lookout.

It’s a great walk for energetic families or anyone looking for incredible mountain views without anything too taxing. However, be aware that it’s an alpine climate, so the weather can change at any time and you should be prepared for cold temperatures in any season.

Essential Gear

• Hat
• Water
• Snacks
• Sunscreen
• Solid footwear
• Warm layer (in case of sudden weather change)
• Rain jacket
• First aid kit

What It’s Like to Walk to Square Rock

The Square Rock Walk was my first hike in Namadgi National Park, and it turned out to be the perfect introduction to this accessible wilderness area just outside of Canberra.

The trail is on a well-formed track from the car park, as it heads off through the Alpine ash and Snow gum woodland.

It’s a relatively gentle ascent for most of the trail, with several elevated platforms, boardwalks, and rock steps along the way to safely get through bogs and grassland.

As I got closer to the summit, I noticed the trail skirts around large boulders, a hint of what was to come up top.

About a kilometre before the summit, I came across a side trip option to Orroral Valley Lookout. This added an additional kilometre out and back, and many hikers tend to skip this, so the trail was a bit more overgrown. I’ll admit the view wasn’t quite as nice as what was waiting at the peak, but it’s an option for those wanting to extend the walk.

Continuing to the peak of Square Rock, there was a metal ladder to help me climb to a natural platform at the top of the stack of granite boulders.

From there, I admired an incredible view from 1,450m up looking over the rolling ridgelines of the Australian Alps.

I explored around the peak further for different vantage points by scrambling over large boulders. Be aware there’s no safety barrier here, so it’s best to stay within your own comfort level.

The flat area at the top was a great spot for a snack break before I headed back down. No need to rush, there’s plenty of room for several people to enjoy the view for a while.

The way back is the same, but I recommend taking your time to spot wildlife. There’s a range of birds in the sky, lizards basking in the sun, and wallabies and lyrebirds scratching around the bushes.

Alternative Return Option

There’s an option to extend this walk by about 5km, by taking the Smokers Trail back to the car park instead, which also makes it more of a circuit.

The intersection is signposted around 2.5km down from the summit, where you take the Smokers Trail to the right. Smokers Trail then splits in two not long after that, and you need to take the left trail back to the car park (the right trail continues to Orroral Valley).

Tips for Square Rock

• Be careful at the top of Square Rock, as the area is quite exposed and there are no barriers
• Check the weather forecast, and be prepared for rain, wind, or cold temperatures at any time of year
• In winter, you’ll likely encounter some snow on this trail, so be prepared for slippery and muddy conditions
• There’s minimal phone reception, so I recommend downloading offline maps
• There are no toilets at the carpark. Utilise public toilets in Tharwa or one of the picnic areas/campgrounds before arriving
• Namadgi National Park Visitor Centre in Tharwa is a great stop to find out current trail conditions, pick up maps, chat with helpful rangers, or book a campsite

Square Rock FAQs

How long is the Square Rock Walk?

The walk up and back to Square Rock takes around three hours and is around 9.5km in length.

How difficult is the Square Rock Walk?

The walk to Square Rock is over some unstable terrain, however it’s not overly difficult, and is rated Grade 3, meaning it’s best for beginner to intermediate bush walkers.

How far is the Square Rock Walk from Canberra?

The start of the Square Rock Walk is around a 50 minute drive from the centre of Canberra.

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