The Best Hikes and Trails to explore in the Blue Mountains

So you know you want to get out and walk in nature. You want the experience to be supportive in that you don’t have to sacrifice too many of your creature comforts, but it needs to be challenging and engaging enough that it takes you out of your comfort zone. With the proviso that, at the end of the day, you can safely say you’re feeling better for it. If that’s you then read on. This article outlines the 10 best in the Blue Mountains where you can gain easy access to walks but without the hassle of carrying big back packs or the inconvenience of having to camp in a tent.

The suggestions range from what are essentially easy walks to more challenging, but well within most people’s ability. Although, disclaimer: if you haven’t walked much please alert yourself to the distances and difficulty outlined for each walk and make a judgment call.

10 Best Blue Mountains Walks

1. RUINED CASTLE

Moderate to Challenging / 16km / 5 to 6 hrs

This walk is located in the Katoomba area. One of the easiest walks to access is the trek out to Ruined Castle from the bottom of Scenic World. Aside from the train ride down which is unique in itself, the trail will have you tramping across the bottom of the cliff face from where you came, then on through pristine forest that has remained untouched since the dawn of time. This is an out and back walk in the Jamison Valley in the Blue Mountains so you can manage fairly easily how far you want to walk.  The terrain is reasonablly flat and there is a great view point from the top of the cliff face at the start and at Ruined Castle once you arrrive.

2. GRAND CANYON

Moderate to Challenging / 10-16km / 4 to 6 hrs

This walk is located in the Blackheath area. The Grand Canyon, not to be confused with its namesake in the US, is fascinating and perhaps one of the most surreal landscapes within Australia. The walk takes you down into the valley, crossing creeks amongst massive tree ferns (Polypodiopsida Cyatheales). Strolling through the canyon is one of the highlights of the region. The walk can start in Blackheath or Neats Glen and, if you’re willing, you can traverse the entire loop back to your starting point in about 6 hours. Shortening the walk is possible too. The terrain is solid and even underfoot, but expect some elevation and descent. There are two brilliant lookout points as you begin the walk and as you end, not to mention a lovely walk via the canyon along the creek.

Always check for closures on the National Parks website as things can change rapidly in the mountains before you set out.

3. OVERCLIFF UNDERCLIFF WALK

Easy / 4.5km / 1.5 to 2 hrs

This walk is located in the Leura area. A quintessential Blue Mountains walk, a unique experience in itself. This 4.5km loop trail near Leura and Wentworth Falls in the Blue Mountains is a one-of-a-kind walk. Generally considered an easy walk to complete, but stunningly beautiful as you get to walk on a track that was carved into the sandstone decades ago, with great views as you go. This is a walk not to be missed, and can be tacked on to the Prince Henry Walk. The trail is well formed and easy to walk on.

4. SIX FOOT TRACK

Moderate to Challenging / 10-16km / 4 to 6 hrs

This walk is located in the Katoomba area. The Six Foot track is getting ample publicity and for good reason. The track itself has a long history; it follows a heritage horse track from 1884. It starts from Katoomba and travels to Jenolan Caves. The first day’s walk from Katoomba to Cox’s Creek is the best of the 3 days. Immerse yourself in a mixture of forest, with the ever-present massive escarpments, native fauna and running water, what better way to spend a few hours. The track is OK underfoot, but check for closures as this track has had some issues over the years. The track also descends for quite a while, but once you are in the valley it flattens out. Expect great views, amazing forest and rivers.

5. THE NATIONAL PASS WALK

Moderate / 10-15km / 4 to 6 hrs

This walk is located in the Katoomba and Leura area. Then there is the National Pass Walk, possibly the most popular of all the walks in the blue mountains in this region. If you’re up for it and want a more demanding walk, then try the Undercliff Overcliff Walk or Wentworth Pass which are simply epic. All of the routes have magnificent views, and if you take the later it includes a stroll alongside the massive trees that inhabit the Jamison Valley. Waterfalls cascade from steep, vertical cliffs, culminating at the beautiful Wentworth Falls. If you want something simpler take the Prince Henry Walk and witness soaring escarpments from Katoomba’s Echo Point lookout plus all the other marvellous vantage points along the way. The track is superb and has views and views after views. A brilliant walk and weel worthy the trip to the Blue Mountains.

 

6. BURRAMAKO RIDGE HANGING ROCK TRAIL

Easy to moderate / 11.4km / 3 to 4 hrs

This walk is located in the Blackheath area. This is one of the most photogenic spots in the Blue Mountains, Hanging Rock at Burramoko Ridge is a must-visit for anyone with a keen sense of aesthetic and wanting to get that photograph. The walk has you traverse an old fire trail to Baltzer Lookout and Hanging Rock. The views over the Grose River Valley take your breath away, especially in the morning and evening when the light is just right. If you’re a confident walker you can scale Hanging Rock itself.

7. GRAND CLIFF TOP WALK  (ALSO PARTLY THE PRINCE HENRY CLIFF WALK)

Easy  / 8km to 19km / 2 to 3 hrs or 5 to 6hrs

This walk is located in the Katoomba Leura area — The Grand Cliff Top Walk and the Prince Henry Cliff Walk, connects the towns of Katoomba and Leura and then all the way to Wentworth Falls. Scenic World is at the Katoomba end and the gondola so it might be a nice idea to end here so and walk from Wentworth Falls end. This trail follows the endless cliffs and escarpment that borders the Jamison Valley. The views are amazing. This is a busy walk but well worth the effort. You might want to break the walk into two stopping at Leura and completing the the other half the next day.

8. VALLEY OF THE WATERS

Moderate  / 7.5km / 2 to 3 hrs

This walk is located in the Leura area.

This Valley of the Waters Track connects two of the most impressive waterfalls in the Blue Mountains. You will need some time to enjoy the waterfalls (there are 6 along this route!) and watch the canyoners as they repel down the falls. The drop-dead gorgeous landscape is also time consuming as you won’t want to leave. The walk spans between Den Fenella Falls and Wentworth Falls, and you will have multiple viewpoints to enjoy as you walk including vistas over the Jamison Valley and Mount Solitary.

9. JENOLAN CAVES

Easy / 3 km / 2hrs

This walk is located in the Oberon township and Jenolan area. A tour of Jenolan Caves, particularly if you hit rain in the mountains, is another way to walk but stay dry. This spectacular cave system is one of the best in the world, and is one of the most ancient known open caves in the world. With no less than 11 show caves, its’ pure underground rivers and incredibly beautiful limestone formations; it is no wonder this is one of the most visited cave systems in Australia. The cave system is so large, with more than 40 kms of caves that are still undergoing exploration to this day.

10. PORTERS PASS AND COLLIERS CAUSEWAY

Moderate  / 6km / 2 to 3 hrs

This walk is located in the Blackheath area. This walk is one of the walks that is off the beaten track and few people know about it, except for the locals who all know about it and commonly make this their morning walk. It is also very popular with climbers. You can start at Centennial Glen car park, a short walk of 1 km from Blackheath Train Station. As you descend steeply there are hand-carved rock steps and waterfalls and cascades of Centennial Glen Creek. The track passes right underneath towering sandstone cliffs with views of the Kanimbla Valley as you walk. On top of this, there are rainforest gullies, dripping with endemic flora. What goes down must go up in this case, so look forward to a work out as you head back up to Centennial Park from whence you came. There are a few uneven and slippery surfaces, natural rock steps on this walk.

All the walks outlined above are not difficult and can all be completed in 6 hours which is taking into account many stoppages along the way. With one million hectares of pristine, protected bushland, this wilderness has an amazing choice of walks on offer. Hanging Rock at Blackheath is another one and then there’s all of the Southern end of the Mountains if you’re feeling a little more adventurous, the list is endless. The best time to is April, May, September and October. However, if you want to avoid the rain then winter is on record as being the driest time and a great time to visit.

A LIITLE BIT MORE ABOUT WALKING AND THE BLUE MOUNTAINS

First of all, what’s different about the World Heritage listed Blue Mountains is its diversity. You might know about the vast and spectacular vistas, the iconic 3 Sisters and the numerous lookouts give you a widescreen view over waterfalls and valleys stretching out to the horizon. But it’s the lesser-known canyons and valleys, with masses of trees and other flora, which if you take the time and effort to explore on foot provide you with the greatest benefit. This article is

Interestingly we know that walking in nature has been scientifically proven to make you healthier physically, but there’s now evidence it improves psychological outcomes dramatically. Walking in nature changes your brain for the better, improving not only cognition but also mood.

The blue haze emanating from the vast eucalyptus forests provides the inspiration for the name of these mountains. The tiny droplets of oil that the trees give off are inter-dispersed with moisture that splits the light and makes the mountains look blue.

The only way to breath in the ‘Blue Haze’ (that’s not purple Hendrix fans) and to maximise the benefit of walking in the Blue Mountains, is to get right up and close to the forest, namely by walking in it. It’s literally like immersing yourself in a bath, but in this case, it’s in nature. So why not give it a try. The Japanese have even given this a name, Shinrin-yoku, which when translated literally means ‘Forest Bathing’.

Of course, a visit to the Blue Mountains doesn’t need to be only about the walking. This region has become a mini-Mecca for fine food and produce so check it out if you have the time. There are ample fine dining establishments in the Mountains, Lilianfels, or Echoes, the Hydro Majestic and Cinnabar Kitchen to name but a few. Of course, the townships of Leura and Wentworth are well worth a wander and are a great way to round out a day in the Mountains after a good walk.

If you really want to get out and extend your walking but you don’t want to rough it, and like the idea of carrying only a day pack (sometimes referred to as pack free, meaning you will be unburdened by all your other luggage), having a glass of wine and a comfortable bed at the end of the day, Auswalk has you covered. Everything is organised for you, including transfers along the track which leaves you with a stress and pack free walking holiday through one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world in comfort.

THE ESSENTIALS FOR BLUE MOUNTAIN HIKING

Getting there: The Blue Mountains hikes are a 2-hour train ride from Sydney’s ‘Central’ train station. Conversely, hire a car and take the M4 motorway to be there in an hour or less depending on the traffic out of Sydney.

The walking: The tracks are all well maintained and the walks are mostly moderate. If you walk down in the Jamison Valley expect an arduous but extremely rewarding walk back up the cliff face.

What you need to take: You will need rain protection no matter what time of the year, plus warm clothes. Check the weather as it can get quite cold and then warm, all on the same day. Good quality walking shoes are recommended as are gaiters particularly after it has been raining.

More info: Learn about the region and the tracks at www.visitnsw.com/destinations/blue-mountains/bushwalking or at Auswalk.

We offer the following Best Blue Mountains Walks:

Blue Mountains Walks – 3 Day Self Guided Blue Mountains Walking Tour 

Blue Mountains Traverse Walks – 7 Day Self Guided Blue Mountains Walks

Blue Mountains Traverse Walks – 5 Day Self Guided Blue Mountains Walks

To book the best Blue Mountains hike or walk package, book now online or call us on (03) 9597 9767.

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