Amazing bushwalk tracks to explore at the Blue Mountains
Feeling up for a walk that’ll get you up and about in nature? Well then grab a water bottle and put on your hiking shoes because we have a list of the ideal tracks in the Blue Mountains. Due to the diversity of the World Heritage region, you can find different tracks that lead you through various types of environments. The difficulties of the tracks vary so you can pick one that’s either challenging or something more casual if you are heading to the Blue Mountains from a day trip from Sydney.
Table of Contents
List of Blue Mountains Walks
Three Sisters Walk
- Start: Echo Point Visitor Center
- End: Oreades lookout (though you continue on via stairs to Lady Game Lookout).
- Length: 800m with the return journey (to Lady game Lookout it’s another 50m).
- Time: 30 minutes
- Difficulty: Very easy, with wheelchair access until Oreades lookout.
Be rewarded at the end of this track by a great view of the sandstone formation known as the three sisters. You also have the Jamison value and Mt. Solitary to gaze upon. Wheelchairs can be used up to Oreades lookout though it can sometimes slope to 10%. Some parts of the trail are close to cliff edges so do be careful, especially with children. Overall, of the Blue Mountains walks this is quite rewarding and isn’t too hard to tackle.
Leura Cascade Circuit
- Start: Leura Cascades picnic area
- Length: 4.5km looping track
- Time: 3 hours
- Difficulty: This track is a bit challenging and prior bushwalking experiences are recommended.
You would start this walk from the southern part of the picnic area and the highlight of your day would be the lookout point on top of the Bridal Veil Falls (also known as the Leura Falls). Once you reach this point you could either go back the way you came or keep going forward which may take longer. But there are more Blue Mountains lookouts in the latter half. The path is quite steep at times and has the occasional obstacle. Nevertheless, it’s a great track with stunning views if you’re up for it.
Blue Mountains walks – The Charles Darwin track
- Start: Wilson Park
- End: Wentworth Falls
- Length: 4.8 with the return journey.
- Time: 1-2 hours including/depending on any stops.
- Difficulty: It’s quite easy as the path is well maintained.
You’ll be rewarded with the sight of Wentworth falls plus many other smaller waterfalls along the way. The trail has several bridges and boardwalks and is well-managed to make it suitable for all ages. This is one of the more accessible Blue Mountains walks with the trail connecting to the Wentworth Falls railway station.
Grand Canyon Track
- Start: Ether the Grand Canyon or Evans Lookout car parks
- Length: 6.3km looping track
- Time: 3-4 hours
- Difficulty: A moderately challenging track that doesn’t require experience in hiking.
Follow this century-old track that takes you through the heart of the Blue Mountains. You would encounter lots of steps and sometimes small ledges. There are also short and steep portions of the trail. However, just some comfortable walking shoes would be enough for the journey. For the more adventurous, you could try out some climbing, abseiling, or canyoning. The track is prone to flooding so check out the National Parks office before heading out.
Prince Henry Cliff Walk
- Start: Echo Point
- End: Gordon Falls Lookout
- Length: 7Km
- Time: 3-4 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate
This is a two-way track, and you could start at either Echo Point or Gordon Falls. Something that makes this special from the other Blue Mountains walks is that it follows the cliff edge and passes quite a few famous lookout points (more than 20). So, you’ll have plenty of jaw-dropping views to absorb along the way. Some of the sites you’ll encounter along the way are Gordon Falls, Buttenshaw Bridge, Olympian, Elysian Rock, Bridal View, and the Three sisters. There are a lot more lookout points along the way. You’ll find a lot of steps, but the slopes are gentle so it’s not too hard.
Six Foot Track
- Start: Explorers Tree
- End: The Caves House
- Length: 46km
- Time: 3 days
- Difficulty: This will be more challenging than the previous tracks.
While the trail is long, apart from a few steep sections, the hike isn’t extremely hard with most of the trails being well maintained. There are 4 campsites where you can rest for the day, and except for Allum Creek, they all have toilet facilities. Throughout, the hike you’ll get to explore Megalong Valley, Black Range, Nellie’s Glen, Cox’s River, and Jenolan.
Wentworth Pass
- Start: Wentworth Falls car park
- Length: 5km
- Time:4-5 hours
- Difficulty: This track is more challenging and requires previous experience in bushwalking
This walk will take you through the upper section of the Valley of the Waters, in Jamison Valley. You can also experience views across the valley including Mt. Solitary. Being one of the harder Blue Mountains walks, the track gets very steep with a lot of obstacles. Add to that the rough nature of the track and it becomes more challenging for the casual bushwalker, so prior experience is recommended.
Blue Mountains Walks – Ruined Castle track
- Start: Golden Stairs car park
- Length: 6.6 km looping track
- Time: 4-5 hours
- Difficulty: This track also requires prior experience as it can be difficult
The ruined castle is a rock formation that offers spectacular and wide views of the valley, all the way to Katoomba and Wentworth Falls. You’ll be walking through lush rainforests with towering sassafras and coachwood. What makes this walk challenging is the steep gradient and the number of obstacles, although the track is formed. If you’d like you could have a picnic at the top of the rock formation.
Jenolan River Walking Track
- Start: Jenolan Caves
- Length: 2.6km with the return journey
- Time: 45 minutes- 1 ½ hour
- Difficulty: While not easy, this track isn’t very difficult to undertake
You’ll face short steep hills, and the occasional obstacle but the track is formed and easy to traverse. If you’re in the mood for a dip the waterhole below the waterfall along the river is just the place. Do, however, avoid swimming in the lake, because of its importance as a platypus habitat. At certain points along the track, you can glimpse the Carlotta’s Arch and the Grand Arch.
Jellybean Track
- Start: Glenbrook Gorge carpark
- Length: 1km with the return journey
- Time: 45 minutes
- Difficulty: Very easy, for children as well
One of the more lighthearted Blue Mountains walks, where you can cool off in the Jellybean pool. The waters are calm and make for a perfect rest after walking there. This is also great if you’re coming with children, because of the gentle hills and the formed tracks. You could also try spotting some birds of prey and maybe even a kingfisher in action if you’re lucky.
Red Hands Cave Walking Track
- Start: Red Hands Cave track car park
- Length: 8km with the return journey
- Time: 2 hours
- Difficulty: Not very challenging
Walk in the footsteps of the Aboriginal people and let the Red Hands Cave walking track guide you to some of the best Aboriginal stencil galleries. It is advised to not touch the drawings and to avoid flash photography in order to preserve them. If you fancy a swim take a detour along the Blue Pool walking track via the swimming holes.
These are just some of the captivating Blue Mountains walks that you can try out.
Safety Tips to Consider before bushwalks
Some things you’d need to keep in mind;
- Check the weather before heading out
- Travel with at least 3 people in your group
- It’s best to have a personal locator beacon, especially for longer walks
- Always bring plenty of water and sunscreen
- Aquatic conditions are unpredictable so do take precautions when swimming
Now all you need to do is lace up your boots and get going. Happy travels! If you are looking for a Blue Mountains tour that can include some of these tracks, contact us at info@urbanpassport.com.au or call us at (+61) 0498507873
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