Join us for the second leg of our winter adventure along the Great North Walk! This **16km hike is notoriously one of the most challenging sections** of the GNW (which spans 260 kilometres of stunning trails connecting Sydney and Newcastle). **Good fitness and endurance are essential as we tackle steep climbs and rugged terrain.** **Read the full description before RSVPing.** * **Difficulty:** Very Hard (intended for experienced hikers only). Expect a demanding pace of around 4km/h and multiple steep climbs with a total elevation gain of roughly 700m through stunning, rugged bushland. * **Start:** 9:00 AM sharp at Hawkesbury River Station (meet at the Dangar Road exit/platform). Please arrive a few minutes early. Finish: Cowan Station around 4:00 PM. * **Route:** This challenging trail takes us via the fire trails around Brooklyn Dam before a steep uphill push to join the main Great North Walk ridge. We will tackle significant ascents and descents, eventually dropping down into the beautiful Jerusalem Bay track and campsite, before making our final steep climb out to finish the day at Cowan Station. * **Gratuity:** A $5 contribution is appreciated to help cover our Meetup subscription and group running costs. Carry Cash or ask for PayID. **Important - Please Read:** * **What to Bring:** Wear proper hiking shoes, bring **ample hydration (Minimum 2.5L of water- No refill available), pack enough snacks/lunch,** sunscreen, hat, and weather protection, **basic first-aid and insect-repellent spray.** * **RSVP responsibly** – Treat it as a commitment; update or cancel 12–24 hrs before. * **Arrive early** – All route/gear info is in the description; hosts can’t field messages during the event. * **Stay together** – It's a volunteer-led community walk; keep the host in sight and let them know if you leave. * **Safety first** – **Your safety is your own responsibility**! You agree to follow host instructions, public-health orders and OZ Outdoors guidelines: [https://www.meetup.com/ozoutdoors](https://www.meetup.com/ozoutdoors) * **Get involved** – You're welcome to send the host feedback or let us know if you’d like to lead such walks. * **Connect with us on Instagram:** [https://instagram.com/ozoutdoors.syd](https://instagram.com/ozoutdoors.syd) * **LinkedIn (Manish):** [https://linkedin.com/in/manishpm/](https://linkedin.com/in/manishpm/)