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Katoomba area in Blue Mountains National Park
Overview
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2 days, 1 or 2 nights
19km Grade 3 - Some bushwalking experience needed
Check out Visit Blue Mountains to find places to eat and stay
Free
Available all year
Wentworth Falls to Leura
11km
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Gordon Falls to Katoomba
8km
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Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Wentworth Falls village to Gordon Falls
Distance: 11km
Time suggested: 5 to 7 hours
Toilets at: Wentworth Falls village, Valley of the Waters lookout and Conservation Hut, Gordon Falls picnic area
Arrive at Wentworth Falls village and enjoy coffee or a full breakfast at one of the many cafes. After fuelling up and using the toilets, begin the adventure by crossing Great Western Highway to Wilson Park picnic area and follow in the footsteps of Charles Darwin by making your way south along Darwins walk which follows Jamison Creek. This will lead you to into Blue Mountains National Park.
As you stroll, allow the yellow-tailed black cockatoo to be your guide with our wayfinding signage. Take in panoramic views at Jamison and Wentworth Falls lookouts. Then head down the stairs and make your way to Weeping Rock, where Jamison Creek spills over a rock overhang into shallow pools below.
Once you’re finished taking in the sights, continue on the track as it winds up to Fletchers lookout. From here, you can watch Wentworth Falls cascade 100m over the cliff into the Jamison Valley.
Continuing on, the track dips down and leads you under the cliff edge, the rock arching over your head. Enjoy the sight of lush ferns and grasses growing from the cliff side and the sound of water trickling nearby as you traverse the sandstone stepping stones along this striking section of track. You'll cross a little bridge over Den Fenella Creek and begin walking on top of the cliff instead of tucked in around the base.
Emerging from the overhang, you have the option of taking a small but steep detour up to Valley of the Waters lookout and Conservation Hut café where you can use the toilets, fill your drinking water, or enjoy a meal.
If you continue on Grand Cliff Top Walk you'll get to Lilians Bridge, pausing along the way to take in the view at Empress Falls lookout. Turn left onto the bridge, make your way across, then climb the stairs up through a thick forest of eucalyptus trees. Don't forget to look down to see Empress Canyon stretching deep below.
When you emerge at Fairmont Resort, follow the signs to Sublime Point Road and continue through the pretty streets of Leura for around 1km. Please stay off the road and watch for cars here. Rejoin the track into Blue Mountains National Park and continue up high on the escarpment with your first view of the Three Sisters until you reach Golf Links lookout.
From here, the track leads to Golf Links lookout and then down into the delightfully cool, fern-filled grotto of Pool of Siloam before you ascend your final set of steps for the day to Gordon Falls picnic area.
Explore the area and refresh yourself, or head 1.5km into Leura village centre and check out the shops and restaurants. You'll be back here to start day 2 of walking, and the villages of Wentworth Falls and Katoomba are just a short bus, train, or taxi-ride away.
Day 2: Gordon Falls to Katoomba
Distance: 8kmTime suggested: 4 to 5 hours
Toilets at: Gordon Falls picnic area, Echo Point, Katoomba Falls Reserve, Scenic World
Day 2 starts where you left off at Gordon Falls picnic area. Take a quick detour to enjoy Gordon Falls lookout, where Gordon Creek drops an impressive 200m over the cliff, deep into the valley below. Then begin the journey and make your way to the track and head west, with Jamison Valley falling away to your left. The trail takes you past a trio of lookouts at Elysian, Olympian, and Tarpeian Rocks, providing even more impressive outlooks onto Mount Solitary. Buttenshaw Bridge is another highlight; a steel bridge first built in 1935 between the twin rocks of Elysian Rock lookout. It makes for an exhilarating crossing over a chasm, before you continue on down a short set of stairs.
From here, you can make a quick detour to Leura Cascades picnic area for a break, or continue your walk, following Leura Falls Creek as it winds through dense rainforest to the top of Leura Cascades. Here, you can watch the creek fall over the sandstone escarpment, with Mount Solitary on the horizon perfectly framed by the surrounding cliffs.
Keep going, following the track to take in the sight of Leura Cascades from above at Tallawalla lookout and Bridal Veil lookout. When it’s running well the two parts of the waterfall merge, creating a ‘bridal veil’ effect.
One of the most iconic lookouts is saved for last; Echo Point lookout, with an incredible view of the world-renowned Three Sisters Aboriginal Place. Stay a while and learn the stories of this culturally significant area. Visit the Blue Mountains City Council visitor centre, top up on water, and use the toilets.
When you’re ready to continue, you’ll find the track on the other side of the lookout. Follow the path around the cliffside, taking in the sights from Lady Darleys and Cliff View lookouts. You'll spot Narrowneck Plateau and Ruined Castle, as well as Kanangra Walls and the Wild Dog mountains if it's a clear day. Then head towards Katoomba Falls, crossing the pool at its base and continuing up the track to Katoomba Falls picnic area. This special reserve, managed by Blue Mountains City Council, is lit up until 11pm at night.
Follow the track to its end at Scenic World. Congratulations, you've just covered 19km of cliffline hiking and can now tick that off the bucket list. Enjoy the rides and café at Scenic World, or get a taxi or the Blue Mountains Explorer Bus for 2km into Katoomba village or to Katoomba train station.
Is this walk right for you?
This is a Grade 3 walk. While the track is well-formed and clearly signposted, and you don’t need any bush walking experience, the 19 kilometres of terrain has many steps and short, steep sections up and down.
Check the weather forecast before you set out and be sure to pack clothes for all conditions. You'll be walking along some sections of exposed cliff line so if storms or strong winter winds are forecast you need to be prepared or change your plans.
This walk is suitable for first time multi-day walkers and families with older children. A moderate level of fitness is required because you'll be walking 4-7 hours per day and covering 275-325m of elevation.
Price
What to bring
Maps
Wheelchair access
The walking track is not wheelchair-accessible, but there are lookouts and picnic areas along it that are. These attractions can be easily reached and have accessible parking spaces:
- Jamison lookout near Wentworth Falls picnic area
- Gordon Falls picnic area
- Echo Point lookout
- Cliff View lookout