Back to previous page

Grand Cliff Top Walk

Katoomba area in Blue Mountains National Park

Affected by closures, check current alerts 

Overview

Spend 2 days exploring the magnificent Grand Cliff Top Walk which seamlessly links Wentworth Falls village to Katoomba. Book to stay in local accommodation, and enjoy some of the Blue Mountains’ best cafes and restaurants.

Accessibility
No wheelchair access
Distance
19km one-way
Time suggested
2 days
Grade
Grade 3
Trip Intention Form

It's a good idea to let someone know where you're going. Fill in a trip intention form to send important details about your trip to your emergency contact.

What to
bring
Hat, sunscreen, sturdy shoes, clothes for all weather conditions, snacks, first aid kit, bottled water
Please note

This trail is quite long and requires a moderate level of fitness.

This walk can be tackled in smaller sections, or you can walk the full 2 days staying in village accommodation along the way. You'll need to book your overnight stays.

Day 1: Wentworth Falls village to Leura

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.

2 walkers following a track along the underside of a cliff, Grand Cliff Top Walk, Blue Mountains National Park. Photo: Remy Brand © Remy Brand

Day 2: Gordon Falls to Katoomba

Distance: 8km
Time 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.

2 walkers on Grand Cliff Top Walk entering Blue Mountains National Park at Gordon Falls Reserve. Photo: Remy Brand © Remy Brand

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info

Also see

  • Walkers descending a staircase down into Jamison Valley on Fern Bower to Furber Steps walk, Blue Mountains National Park. Photo: Craig Marshall © DPE

    Fern Bower to Furber Steps walk

    Fern Bower to Furber Steps walk is a stunning walk in Blue Mountains National Park. With a steep descent and climb back up, it’s a challenging alternative route for walkers tackling Grand Cliff Top Walk.

  • 2 walkers following Wentworth Falls to Leura walk, Blue Mountains National Park. Photo: Remy Brand © Remy Brand

    Wentworth Falls to Leura walk

    Wentworth Falls to Leura walk is the first day for those hiking Grand Cliff Top Walk. This 11km journey though World Heritage area on Gundungurra County passes plunging waterfalls and lookouts in Blue Mountains National Park.

  • 2 walkers following Gordon Falls to Katoomba walk, Greater Blue Mountains Heritage Area. Photo: Remy Brand © Remy Brand

    Gordon Falls to Katoomba walk

    Gordon Falls to Katoomba walk is 8km and the second day of Grand Cliff Top Walk, in the Blue Mountains. It offers impressive views of Three Sisters Aboriginal Place and Mount Solitary.

 

Subscribe to Naturescapes

Subscribe to our Naturescapes e-newsletter which is packed with the latest information, experiences and events in NSW national parks. Your next park adventure starts here.

A family walk a boardwalk section of Bouddi coastal walk, Bouddi National Park. Photo: John Spencer/OEH.