Walk On-leash Highly confident, dog friendly

Mount Ainslie Summit Walk

Campbell, ACT 2612

A steady 4.5 kilometre climb to a Canberra lookout, with dogs welcome on leash along the track.

The Guide's rating

The rules, in short

Before you go

Parks ACT states dogs are permitted on leash on a track or trail only within Mount Ainslie Nature Reserve. Other domestic animals are prohibited. Straying off the formed track with a dog is not permitted, and camping is prohibited in the reserve. This contrasts with ACT national parks and several nature reserves where dogs are banned outright.

On leash at all times, and only on a formed track or trail. No off leash exercise anywhere in this reserve.

When: Any time No published opening or closing times were found for the reserve. The summit road and car park are a separate access point from the Treloar Crescent trailhead.
Cost: Free No entry fee is published for Canberra Nature Park reserves.
The walk: Moderate. 4.5 kilometres return, roughly 250 metres of ascent, with steep sections, steps and uneven ground. Allow about 1.5 to 2 hours return at a dog's pace.

Worth knowing before you arrive

Parks ACT states there are no bins in the reserve, so carry out waste bags
Steep steps and uneven ground make it hard on short legged, elderly or heat sensitive dogs
No water on the track, so carry enough for the dog as well
Exposed and hot in summer, and the sealed surface holds heat on paws
Vehicle traffic at the summit car park and lookout

About Mount Ainslie Summit Walk

Mount Ainslie Nature Reserve is part of Canberra Nature Park, the ring of bushland reserves that sits inside the city, and it is one of the reserves where dogs are allowed. The summit walk, often called the Kokoda Track, starts behind the Australian War Memorial on Treloar Crescent and climbs 4.5 kilometres return with about 250 metres of ascent on a sealed but steep and stepped track. The reward at the top is the full Griffin axis laid out below, from the War Memorial along Anzac Parade to Parliament House. This is the distinction worth knowing in the ACT, because dogs are banned from national parks and from several significant nature reserves, yet Canberra Nature Park reserves like Mount Ainslie allow leashed dogs on formed tracks. There is a picnic shelter and a car park at the summit, so a less enthusiastic dog can be driven up and walked around the lookout instead.

Which dogs it suits

Small Medium Large Giant

A properly good walk with a landmark view, clearly documented dog access from the land manager, and a drive up alternative. Marked down for no bins, no water and a surface that punishes hot days.

What is there

Parking
Shade

Best for

fit dogs who want a real climb a sunset or early morning walk with a view visitors staying in the inner north

Getting around

The summit track is steep with steps and is not wheelchair accessible. There is a car park at the summit lookout for those who want the view without the climb.

What members say

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Welcome

Space

Amenities

Safety

Members visited with

How dog friendly was it? required

Anything more specific? optional

Welcome

Did staff and other visitors make you feel your dog belonged there?

Space

Was there room for a dog without being underfoot?

Amenities

Water, shade, somewhere to tie up, bins for bags.

Safety

Traffic, fencing, other dogs, hazards underfoot.

Which size dogs did you bring?

What should other people know? When did you visit?

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The details

Address: Mount Ainslie Summit Trail trailhead, Treloar Crescent, Campbell ACT 2612
Website: Official page
Coordinates: -35.27978, 149.1511

Highly confident, dog friendly

The dog rules come from official pages, and we checked it this month.

2 sources

Official Parks ACT, Mount Ainslie Nature Reserve Confirms: Dogs are permitted on leash on a track or trail only, other domestic animals prohibited, the 4.5 kilometre return summit walk with 250 metre ascent, steep and stepped terrain, access points including Treloar Crescent behind the Australian War Memorial, the summit car park and picnic shelter, and that there are no bins and camping is prohibited.
Official ACT Government, Canberra's best dog-friendly walks Confirms: Names Mount Ainslie as a dog friendly walk and repeats the rule to keep the dog on leash and stick to the track, and states dogs must be on leash on public land unless otherwise indicated, with dogs prohibited from some reserves and near playgrounds and barbecues in use.

Last checked 20 September 2026. Rules change, and seasonal beach rules change twice a year, so check with the land manager or the venue before you travel.

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