Joining a CanHike Walk: Mt Painter to Black Mountain

The alarm clock didn’t have a chance to ring before I was up and ready for what promised to be an exceptional morning – my first time joining the CanHike walking group on one of their regular Saturday ambles.

Meeting at Coulter Drive at 6:45am in the crisp -0.4°C air that bit at our cheeks, I was welcomed with open arms by sixteen of the regular CanHike walkers. The genuine warmth of their greetings would immediately put anyone at ease – enthusiastic handshakes, hugs, bright smiles, and introductions that made it clear this wasn’t just a walking group, but a community of friends united by their love of the outdoors.

The CanHike team organise two walks every Saturday morning to accommodate different preferences and abilities within the 86 member walking group. There’s a ‘Strollers & Chatters’ walk for those seeking a more leisurely pace and the ‘Summit Seekers’ walk for those that want more of a challenge.

I joined the Summit Seekers for this morning’s trek over Mt Painter and Black Mountain. The Strollers & Chatters meet an hour later for a shorter and flatter walk. This thoughtful two-option approach ensures everyone can participate, regardless of their fitness level. But all come together every 4-6 weeks for joint walks and a social get-together.

The early morning light casting everything in that distinctive golden hue that can make Aussie landscapes feel so magical.

Walking alongside different men and women throughout the morning, the rich variety of their discussions was thoroughly engaging. We shared stories about children and the universal challenges of balancing work and family life.

There was excitement about the upcoming trip they had planned for Sydney in just a few weeks time, and an animated discussion about the possibility of a future hiking expedition to New Zealand with some of the MarchMingle organising team in the coming year.

As we made our way uphill, something beautiful emerged from every conversation: their deep appreciation for the natural environment surrounding Canberra and the incredible variety of walking options available in and around the city.

Reaching the summit of Mt Painter at 733 meters above sea level, we were rewarded with spectacular panoramic views stretching in all directions. From this vantage point, we could see some of the newer suburbs to our south. 

Aranda Bushland Nature Reserve

The descent from Mt Painter took us down to 604 meters at the 4-kilometre mark, where we crossed Bindubi Street and entered the tranquil Aranda Bushland Nature Reserve.

At the 6.8-kilometre mark, we encountered the morning’s most challenging section: a brutal 500-metre stretch with a loose surface and an intimidating 28.5% gradient that lifted us 85 metres vertically.

Even during this demanding climb, the group’s supportive banter never stopped. They encouraged each other and managed to keep the mood light despite the physical challenge.

Finally, we reached the summit of Black Mountain at 804 metres. The effort was rewarded with stunning views across Weston Park and Lake Burley Griffin and the city.

Relaxing at the base of Canberra’s iconic Telstra Tower, the conversation turned to reflection about what makes these weekly adventures so special.

More Than Exercise – It’s Community

What is abundantly clear through every conversation is how much each member of the CanHike group values the mental and physical health benefits of their weekly gatherings.

They spoke about how these Saturday morning walks provide essential balance in their lives – the gentle physical workout that walking provides combined with the therapeutic effects of spending time in nature with genuine friends. The camaraderie was infectious.

After a short break at the summit, someone called out, “Come on, we should get going; we still have to get back!” – There were a few groans as we stood up and set off around to Black Mountain’s far side for the downward journey.

Over the next 1.5 kilometres, we dropped 200 metres, then climbed back up to 700 metres, and finally descended to complete our 14.3-kilometre circuit back at the carpark.

United by Friendship and Purpose

The combination of physical challenge, natural beauty, wildlife encounters, meaningful conversations, and shared purpose creates an experience that individual exercise or a gym workout simply cannot match. From the warm welcome at our early morning gathering to the satisfied exhaustion we all felt with our final steps, laughter, meaningful discussion, and genuine human connection enriched every kilometre.

The conversations flowed as naturally as our movement through the landscape – from family stories to travel plans, from work challenges to shared appreciation for Canberra’s natural environment.

We covered 14.3 kilometres together, and while we all agreed we’d had an excellent physical workout, it was clear that the real reward was the time spent in good company, surrounded by the beauty of the Canberra’s bushland environment.