The best Blue Mountains walks lead you from dramatic cliff tops with sprawling valley vistas to verdant forests and cascading waterfalls. The region’s best lookouts offer unparalleled views of iconic Blue Mountains attractions.
Any Blue Mountains holiday isn’t complete without exploring the region’s natural spoils. You have leisurely trails to waterfalls and epic lookouts along with more challenging hikes along the cliffs and Aboriginal culture walks. These walks are sure to appeal to both experienced hikers and casual strollers.
Getting to the Blue Mountains
By Car: Approximately 90 minutes from Sydney, arriving in Katoomba.
Nearest Airport: The nearest airport to the Blue Mountains is Sydney Airport, about one hour away via car.
By Train: Approximately two hours from Sydney, leaving Central Station and alighting in Katoomba.
Prince Henry Cliff Walk
Distance – 7km one-way
Average time – 3 to 4 hours
Grade – 3
The Prince Henry Cliff walk is a magnificent introduction to the Blue Mountains. It’s a leisurely one-way track from the Katoomba Cascades to Gordon Falls. The panoramic Jamison Valley vistas and iconic Blue Mountains lookouts await where it includes memorable sights such as the Three Sisters and Echo Point.
It is also a popular hiking trail in summer, thanks to the striking yellow and red Christmas bell flowers.
Three Sisters Walk
Distance – 0.8km return
Average time – 25 to 45 minutes
Grade – 1
The Three Sisters walk is a family-friendly walk and it’s also the best way to witness the iconic Three Sisters from multiple angles. Here, you can see lyrebirds and soaring eucalyptus forest, ascend the Giant Stairway and brave the vertiginous Honeymoon Bridge.
Cliff Top Walking Track
Distance – 6km return
Average time – 3 to 3.5 hours
Grade – 3
This walking track leads you along a dramatic cliff edge from Govetts Leap until Evans Lookout. It’s a heart-pumping incline that rewards you with incredible views of Grose Valley along the way and two iconic lookouts either side. Many hikers will stop at Evans lookout for a picnic lunch with a view before embarking on the three-kilometre return trek.
The sky and foliage are often perfect for spotting yellow-tailed black cockatoos, white-naped honeyeaters and king parrots.
Katoomba Falls Round Walk
Distance – 1.2km loop
Average time – 1 hour
Grade – 3
This short and leisurely walk reveals some of the Blue Mountains’ most spectacular scenery. It’s one of our favourite Blue Mountains walks because of the number of iconic sights.
The walking track showcases the Katoomba escarpment. This includes waterfall views from Reids Plateau and vistas of The Three Sisters and Katoomba Falls from Vanimans lookout. Descending into the gorge, it also gives birdwatchers a chance to see rosellas and lorikeets in the rainforest canopy.
Charles Darwin Walk
Distance – 2.4km one-way
Average time – 1 to 1.5 hours
Grade – 3
Made famous by naturalist Charles Darwin, this relaxing boardwalk and bushwalking trail runs alongside Jamison Creek. It’s ideal for birdwatching, as you can often spot black cockatoos, honeyeaters and shrub wrens. There are also multiple rock pools and cascades along Jamison Creek for cooling off or enjoying a picnic.
Wentworth Falls Track
Distance – 1.4km return
Average time – 1 hour
Grade – 3
Leading off from the Wentworth Falls picnic area, this short-but-sweet walking trail starts with the Jamison and Wentworth lookouts. Next, it leads you down 200 steps to Fletchers lookout offering uninterrupted views of the Wentworth Falls cascade from a sheer cliff edge.
Continue along the path to reach the top of Wentworth Falls where you can dip your toes in a shallow pool off Jamison Creek and admire the breath-taking Jamison Valley forest canopy.
Lyrebird Dell Walking Track
Distance – 1.7km loop
Average time – 1 to 1.5 hours
Grade – 3
Want to learn more about Aboriginal culture and history in the Blue Mountains? Embark on this immersive walk into magnificent gorge country. The Lyrebird Dell trail leads off from the Gordon Falls picnic area, descending to the tranquil Gordon Creek before passing hanging swamps in a fern-filled canyon.
The Pool of Siloam is the perfect spot for a quick break amongst the sounds of birds and cascading falls. Finally, when you reach Lyrebird Dell, keep an eye out for the large sandstone cave. It’s a sacred site among the region’s traditional Indigenous landowners.
The Aboriginal Blue Mountains Walkabout
Owned and operated by Indigenous Australians, the Aboriginal Blue Mountains Walkabout offers deep immersion into the history and traditions of the native Darug people. Here, you’ll follow a local guide to sacred art and ceremonial sites and can also learn about the region’s nature and timeless people.
Lincoln’s Rock Lookout
Lincoln’s Rock lookout is renowned for its dramatic views of Jamison Valley. The sun and clouds change the colours of the foliage and cliffs as they move overhead. These ever changing vistas make it a popular lookout for wedding photos.
Evans Lookout
Visit Evans lookout around sunset to watch the sandstone cliffs surrounding Grose Valley glow orange in the sun’s lingering rays. If you’re visiting in the morning, embark on the challenging Cliff Top walking track where it offers beautiful valley rim vistas.
Echo Point Lookout
Echo Point is a gateway to many of the best Blue Mountains walks and it’s also a prized lookout. From the plateau, you can enjoy clear views of the iconic Three Sisters rock formation, which has a revered place in Indigenous heritage. You can also see across Jamison Valley to the Ruined Castle and Mount Solitary.
Govetts Leap Lookout
This is one of the most famous lookouts in the Blue Mountains and it’s easy to understand why when you witness the frothing 180-metre cascade from Govetts Leap Falls. The vista sweeps over Grose Valley, capturing the sandstone escarpments, sheer cliffs and yawning canyons.
Unforgettable Blue Mountains Walks & Lookouts
There are so many walks and lookouts to experience on your next trip to the Blue Mountains. With KAYAK, you can tailor your Blue Mountains holiday by hand picking your favourite accommodation.
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