Unfortunately nearly all the tracks on Mt Ainslie are severely eroded, and those that aren't are rapidly being destroyed, chiefly by uncontrolled mountain bikes, despite signs clearly forbidding bikes from ALL walking tracks. After every heavy fall of rain, any sloping dirt track becomes noticeably more eroded, making walking more unpleasant.

The starting point on Treloar Cres is best approached from Limestone Ave as the intersection with Fairbairn ave is unsafe.

Park behind the War Memorial opposite a sign 'Canberra Nature Park'. There are picnic tables and fireplaces here.

The track is white compacted gravel and is easy to follow. It first crosses a bridge and fence into Remembrance Nature Park, which local residents have cleared of introduced weeds such as firethorn and contoneaster.

On the lower slopes the larger trees are Apple box which can be identified by their black striated bark. As you cross two fire access roads, the Apple Box is replaced by scribbly gum and yellow box, named for the colour of the wood.

About 10 minutes from the start at a large brittle gum the track steepens. You will notice Blakely's red gum occurring here, with its blue-grey gum bark. Turn left uphill at a track junction, as otherwise you will come to a quarry.

After two zigzags, and half a kilometre further on just before the top, there is a flat gravel area where you can sit away from the noise and visual pollution of the cars and road that disgrace the summit.

From here you can admire the view, and try to identify the distant hills. Starting at Mt Coree to the west, the most prominent mountains are Mt Tidbinbilla, Mt. Gingera, Mt. Tennent and with a distinctive double peak, the distant Mt Gudgenby.

In winter the presence of snow on Mt Bimberi makes the highest mountain in the ACT visible, otherwise the peak tends to merge with the plateau in the middle ground.

From here you can either retrace your steps but if time permits it is more interesting to walk north along to the left of the sealed road. Just after the concrete path stops there is a steep track on the left between two wattles. It drops steeply for 10m to an old overgrown road. Follow this for 10 minutes north until it joins a gravel road that leaves the sealed road 50m away.

After 20 paces north along the gravel road you will see a small rock on the left that marks a narrow foot track that descends to the north west.

Follow this until you reach the large power lines, avoiding any faint roo tracks. From here follow the road south west under the power lines for about 10 minutes to a T junction marked by three horse signs. Turn right for 20 paces then left along a faint foot track. You soon re-join the gravel road and pass a large water tank.

Continue in a generally southerly direction. The equestrian track will come in your left, when you immediately cross a gully then take the right hand road.In another five minutes you will reach the white gravel track where you started. Turn right and head for the War memorial and the end of the walk.