Stunning Views High & Low
Harold Reid Reserve in Middle Cove is a particularly beautiful reserve with a fabulous foreshore walk through gums, ferns and grass trees… and a lookout with spectacular views up Middle Harbour!
Harold Reid Reserve Foreshore Track
The foreshore walk and lookout are reason enough to visit Harold Reid Reserve, yet it’s also a great place for picnics, taking in the bush atmosphere and just listening to the birds!
For those with reduced mobility, the Lookout at Harold Reid is a worthwhile destination, an easy, mainly flat short walk along a bush track, opposite the car park and BBQ facilities.
Start of Foreshore Walk
The walk described here is a circular route starting from the end of North Arm Road. There is also another option of starting at the top, at the lookout area off Rembrandt Drive.
The circular route starting from North Arm Road track is quite high above Fig Tree Cove. There are superb bush and bay views down to the mangroves.
The Water’s Edge
The track descends to the water’s edge where you will often see a few people fishing from the rocks. Continue on the track around the shoreline to the southern side of Harold Reid Reserve, where there is an idyllic waterside spot for a picnic on some flat rocks that hang over the water… with fabulous views across to Castlecrag’s quaint waterside cottages.
Leaving the Water’s Edge
After leaving the picnic spot at the water’s edge, the track climbs some stairs and meets an upper track. Turn left onto the upper track and continue until you see a sign post on the left, turn right and continue uphill. Along the way the track passes through a narrow rock passage of stairs before meeting a loop road.
Turn right onto the loop road (watch for cars). A little way up on the left is a massive orange lichen covered rock wall with bright green ferns… it’s quite impressive and popular with rock climbers.
Picnic Facilities & Lookout
The loop road leads to a shady BBQ picnic area with very basic toilet facilities. Off to the right is a short track out to the lookout with spectacular views up Middle Harbour!
After visiting the lookout, return to the North Arm Rd via the following route. Continue along the loop road through a large rock cutting. At the end of the loop road is the exit to Rembrandt Drive. Just prior to the exit there’s a track on the right which takes you down to the North Arm Road starting point.
Information
Where: Middle Cove – Sydney Lower North Shore
Walk: 1.0 hour – easy-medium grade
Dogs: On leash only (more details on Willoughby website below)
Open: Every day – no entry fees
Getting there: Drive to the end of North Arm Rd, Middle Cove where this track begins
Website:Willoughby Council Website – Harold Reid
Visit: Explore Lower North Shore
Map Harold Reid Reserve
Thank you so much for your review of Harold Reid reserve. My 92 year old mother has mobility issues so I’m always interested in learning about places which are suitable to take her.
Lovely to hear that Janine, it’s a wonderful reserve.
Best
Robyn