Welcome to a hiker’s paradise, where a network of trails winds past soaring sandstone ridges, charming mountain towns, ancient aboriginal rock art and powerful cascades. The world heritage listed Blue Mountains National Park is located only one hour West from the Sydney CBD, making it the perfect day trip from the city.
I’ve been to the Blue Mountains twice in the past year and it’s exceptional nature beauty continues to amaze me. The diversity of tracks across the Blue Mountains means there’s something for everyone, from leisurely nature trails to challenging multi-day adventures in remote and untouched wilderness.
Here are my 10 fun bushwalks to check out in the Blue Mountains.
1. Leura Cascades Fern Bower Circuit
Distance: 2.9km return
Time: 2 hours
Rating: Grade 2
Access: Not suitable for wheelchairs and prams
Explore the impressive cliff line and gorgeous views of the Jamieson Valley on the Leura Cascades Fern Bower circuit. This 4.5km loop should take roughly 3 hours to complete and will take you to several vantage points to view the cascades before reaching the lookout. This moderately challenging walking track winds it’s way through a dense rainforest and gives you plenty of opportunities to spot native birdlife.
2. Grand Canyon
Distance: 5.8km return
Time: 2 hours
Rating: Grade 3
Access: Not suitable for wheelchairs and prams
You might be surprised to learn that we have our very own Grand Canyon here in Australia. Although it may not be as “Grand” as the USA version, this dark and twisting gorge in the Blue Mountains National Park is spectacular. The 7km return Grand Canyon track meanders through luscious native vegetation and a series of waterfalls to discover a narrow chasm with towering sandstone walls. First trodden on in 1907, this intimate and adventurous walk is my personal favourite in the Blue Mountains.
3. Valley of the waters
Distance: 1.5km return
Time: 1.5 hours
Rating: Grade 4
Access: Not suitable for wheelchairs and prams
Walk through a stunning rainforest on the way to the Valley of the Waters, a series of seven spectacular waterfalls in the Blue Mountains. Located near the township of Katoomba, this 3.4km return walk should take approximately 2 hours to complete and it’s a great option for families looking for an adventure. The track is well formed up until the fourth waterfall and it can be slightly slippery, especially after heavy rain so please take care.
4. Three Sisters walk
Distance: 0.8km return
Time: 1 hour
Rating: Grade 1
Access: Top lookout is suitable for wheelchairs and prams
The Three Sisters Walk is an easy 45 minute walk suited to all ages and accessible to wheelchairs. Enjoy the soaring eucalypt forest, bird calls and fresh mountain air to take in some of the most iconic views in the Blue Mountains National Park. This relaxing walk starts at the Visitor Information Centre at Echo Point and takes you up close to the world famous Three Sisters. This unusual rock formation were formed 200 million years ago when the sandstone cliffs eroded over time by wind, rain and rivers.
5. Wentworth Falls
Distance: 1.4km return
Time: 1 hour
Rating: Grade 3
Access: Top lookout is suitable for wheelchairs and prams
Marvel at the spectacular Wentworth Falls and National Pass on this stunning 3km return nature walk in the Blue Mountains National Park. This moderately challenging Wentworth Falls Walk starts at the Wentworth Falls Picnic Area and takes you to several lookouts with magnificent views of the valley so get your camera ready. You’ll soon reach the top of the falls where you can stop for a break before tackling the historic Grand Stairway, built by hand in the early 1900’s. After approximately 45 metres walking, you’ll reach the base of the falls where you can take in the sheer size of the 187-metre-tall Wentworth Falls.
6. Hanging Rock
Distance: 10km return
Time: 2 hours
Rating: Grade 2
Access: Not suitable for wheelchairs and prams
Journey into the Grose Wilderness of the Blue Mountains on this incredible 10km return walk. The Burramoko Ridge (Hanging Rock) trail is a popular walk and bike riding track near Blackheath and should take roughly 3 hours to complete. The walk to Hanging Rock is almost entirely on fire trail until you reach the last few hundred metres where it opens to an unmaintained track. Although the walk itself isn’t anything to brag about, the views at the end makes it all the more worth it.
7. South Lawson Waterfall Circuit Walk
Distance: 3.1km return
Time: 1.5 hours
Rating: Grade 2
Access: Not suitable for wheelchairs and prams
Explore the beautiful waterfalls, remarkable rock formations and gorgeous native wildlife amidst the South Lawson Waterfall Circuit Walk. This three-kilometre bushwalking circuit passes four stunning and unique waterfalls: Adelina Falls, sand lined Federal Falls, Cataract Falls and Junction Falls. It took me roughly 90 minutes to complete the walk although I spent a considerable amount of time at each waterfall to capture plenty of photos.
8. Cox’s Cave Circuit
Distance: 1.6km return
Time: 1.5 hours
Rating: Grade 2
Access: Not suitable for wheelchairs and prams
The Cox Cave Circuit is one of the most unique attractions in the Blue Mountains and takes you through native bush and large sandstone cliffs to an impressive cave. The 1.6km return trail begins at the Mount Piddington Car Park and isn’t as maintained as the other walks in this list so expect uneven steps and slippery sections. You will soon come across a tall ladder leading to Cox’s Cave and you will need to take care as there are no railings here.
9. Porters Pass Circuit
Distance: 4.2km return
Time: 2 hours
Rating: Grade 4
Access: Not suitable for wheelchairs and prams
With an epic slot canyon, soaring mountain views and hidden waterfalls, the 5.2km return Porters Pass Circuit links Colliers Causeway with the Centennial Glen loop. This lesser known nature walk in the Blue Mountains certainly packs a punch and you won’t get bored exploring cliff edges, rainforest gullies and incredible waterfall inside a small slot canyon. The walk took me about 2.5 hours as the trail is quite rough in sections so please make sure you wear adequate footwear.
10. Kanangra Walls Plateau Walk
Distance: 5.3km return
Time: 2.5 hours
Rating: Grade 3
Access: Not suitable for wheelchairs and prams
Kanangra-Boyd National Park’s most famous walk, the Kanangra Walls Plateau Walk has been thrilling hikers for years. This 4.4km return trail starts at the Kanangra Walls Car Park and takes visitors to breath taking views over towering cliffs, cut-back valleys and a beautiful waterfall. Shortly after leaving the car park, you will come across an old shelter cave of the Blue Mountains where people installed a dance to use as a social space when travelling along the old stock routes! Heading towards the plateau, the path flattens out and the views are nothing short of remarkable. Take care when exploring the plateau as the cliff edges have extremely sheer drops.
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