This walk is a fantastic way to see Leura Forest. The walk descends from Carrington Park, visiting Leura Forest and following a loop along the base of the cliffs and beneath the Three Sisters, before climbing back up to Carrington Park. This walk explores a variety of forests types and a few waterfalls. Leura Forest is a lovely picnic area, a great place to relax.
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There are Closed areas in Blue Mountains National Park Today's Fire rating LOW MODERATE (No fire ban)
Bushwalking track notes photographs, maps and camping spots for Carrington Park to Leura Forest and pass loop
Cross sectional view of the Carrington Park to Leura Forest and pass loop bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Carrington Park to Leura Forest and pass loop bushwalking track
Overview of this walks Grading - Based on the AS 2156.1 - 2001
These details are new. This new feature still requires more testing and refining. Please use the 'Walker Feedback' for report specific issues. Please e-mail Matt if you have any general comments. Hope you find it helpful.
Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.
Length
4.8km
Time
3 hrs
.
Grade 4/6
Track: Hard
AS 2156.1
Gradient
Very steep (4/6)
Quality of track
Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
Signs
Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Experience Required
No experience required (1/6)
Weather
Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
Infrastructure
Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
*This summary of grading information is new and still in testing
Some more detail of this walks Grading
Here is a bit more details explaining the grading looking at sections of the walk. Gradient
2.6km of this walk has short steep hills and another 1.8km has gentle hills with occasional steps. The remaining (390m) is very steep.
Quality of track
3km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail and another 1.7km follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely. Whilst another 70m follows a smooth and hardened path and the remaining 40m follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.
Signs
Around 2.9km of this walk is clearly signposted, whilst the remaining 1.8km has directional signs at most intersection.
Experience Required
This whole walk, 4.8km requires no previous bushwalking experience.
Weather
This whole walk, 4.8km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
Around 4.5km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 290m has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).
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Carrington Park is a medium-sized park on a traffic island, at the junction of Cliff Road and Merriwa St, Katoomba. The park is partially fenced and has a picnic shelter, picnic tables, garbage bins and children's play equipment.
(0 km)
Carrington Park
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Int of Federal Pass and Jamieson Lookout Tracks Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 225 m
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 5 m
Descent = -22 m
From Carrington Park, the walk crosses Cliff Drive and goes down the stairs and past the sign for 'Blue Mountains National Park'. The walk continues down the stairs until reaching an intersection signposted with the way to 'Echo Point' or 'Leura Cascades'. Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Leura Cascades 1km' sign down the wooden steps and along the bush track, winding through the forest until coming to the signposted intersection of the 'Leura Forest' Track. Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Leura Forest' sign along the bush track, winding down the hill for a short while before dropping down a set of wooden steps, to the signposted intersection with the 'Jamieson Lookout' track.
(0.23 km)
Int of Federal Pass and Jamieson Lookout Tracks
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Jamieson Lookout Optional sidetrip: Walk: Easy - bushtrack
Length = 19 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -6 m
Turn sharp left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Jamieson Lookout' sign along the short bush track to the rock shelf at the Jamieson Lookout. (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then veer left to continue along this walk.)
Jamieson Lookout
Alt = 922 m
Jamieson Lookout is a fenced lookout at the east end of the Federal Pass track, and just off Prince Henry Cliff Walk. The lookout has a bench seat and provides great views up the Jamison Valley, along Kings Tableland escarpment and past Mount Solitary. The lookout is perched up on a large rock buttress, giving views unobscured by trees.
(0.23 km)
Int of Federal Pass and Jamieson Lookout Tracks
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Fern Bower Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 93 m
Time = 3 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -36 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the dirt path, heading down the long set of wooden and rocky steps. The walk winds down past a picnic chair under a cliff overhang, and continues down the steps into the valley and through the forest to the Fern Bower information sign.
Fern Bower
Alt = 892 m
Fern Bower is an especially pleasant part of the Blue Mountains National Park, protected from heat and providing a great environment for fern trees, bracken ferns and moss to thrive. Fern Bower is a signposted area along the Federal Pass walking track, just below Jamieson Lookout and next to Linda Creek. This is a nice place to stop, rest and enjoy the bird noises.
(0.32 km)
Fern Bower
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Int of Federal Pass and the Amphitheatre track Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 320 m
Time = 13 mins
Climb = 10 m
Descent = -150 m
Continue straight: From the information sign, the walk follows the track down the steps, passing a 'Rich History' information sign before coming down to the signposted intersection with the Amphitheatre track, at the top of a metal staircase.
(0.64 km)
Int of Federal Pass and the Amphitheatre track
to
Lila falls crossing Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 23 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -18 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Federal Pass Leura Forest' sign down the long metal staircase, to cross the bridge over Linda Creek in front of Lila Falls.
Lila Falls
Alt = 736 m
Lila Falls is a thin waterfall on Linda Creek. The Federal Pass crosses the creek (on a bridge) in front of these falls, just below the intersection with the amphitheatre. The waterfall is not the most spectacular one in this valley, but it is a nice cool spot to catch your breath.
(0.66 km)
Lila Falls crossing
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Marguerite Cascades Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 175 m
Time = 11 mins
Climb = 37 m
Descent = -90 m
Continue straight: From the Lila Falls, this walk follows the track heading down the hill, winding down a wooden walkway keeping the creek to the left. The track hugs the rock wall and passes under a shallow overhang. The walk continues down a staircase, then turns back down into the gully where it come to the taller and slender Linda Falls.
After passing Linda Falls the walk follows the wooden steps down through the gulley, crossing the creek again before heading down to the Marguerite Cascades.
Marguerite Cascades
Alt = 684 m
Marguerite Cascades are a series of small cascades finishing with a taller waterfall of a few metres height, dropping into a shallow sandy pool. The cascades are on Linda Creek and a small bridge crosses the creek at the base of the falls as part of the Federal Pass walking track. The cascades are a nice place to sit and listen to the water running and the local birds in this cool shady area.
(0.84 km)
Marguerite Cascades
to
Leura Forest Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 321 m
Time = 11 mins
Climb = 50 m
Descent = -14 m
Continue straight: From the 'Marguerite Cascades'[1], this walk follows the timber steps downhill, winding steeply for a short while until coming to an intersection with a faint track, marked with a timber 'Federal Pass' sign[2], just beside a foot bridge[3]. Veer right: From the intersection, this walk crosses Linda Creek just below a pleasant cascade[4] using the foot bridge with a handrail[5]. This walk then continues along the bush track that winds along the valley floor, to the signposted 'Leura Forest'. From here, the walk continues along the wide bush track, passing a few picnic tables, and winding through the forest to an open area with a large gazebo and an information sign at the intersection of the Federal Pass and the Dardenelles tracks.
Leura Forest
Alt = 721 m
Leura Forest is a great picnic area in the Jamison Valley at the junction of the Federal Pass and Dardenelles Tracks. This place was home to a popular tea house (also known as 'Lady Carrington Dining Hall') from the late 1800's[6]. Today walkers can still enjoy the historic rotunda and the foundations of the original tea house[7]. The picnic area provides a great rest spot under the shade of the lilli pilli and coachwood forest.
(1.16 km)
Leura Forest (Int of Federal Pass and Dardenelles Tracks)
to
Int of Federal Pass, Scenic Railway and Dardenelles Tracks Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 1.29 km
Time = 36 mins
Climb = 117 m
Descent = -99 m
Continue straight: From Leura Forest, the walk follows the 'Federal Pass' sign towards 'Scenic Railway'. Shortly after crossing a small creek using a little bridge, the track begins to steadily go downhill then flatten out. The environment surrounding the bush track at this point is quite dense and, while very pretty, it is difficult to see views of the surrounding area, although there are occasional glimpses of Sublime Point Service Trail on the left. After a while, the track begins to steadily climb to a signposted intersection with 'Dardenelles Pass'. There are several signposts and a bench seat.
(2.44 km)
Int of Federal Pass, Scenic Railway and Dardenelles Tracks
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Bottom of Giant Staircase Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 289 m
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 36 m
Descent = -33 m
Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows the sign pointing along the 'Dardenelles Track' towards the 'Giant Steps' - this is the upper track, keeping the main cliffs on the left. After the first short rise, the track flattens out and continues with some great views over the valley. At several points, small seats have been installed to enjoy these views. The track soon comes to an intersection signposted as the 'Giant Staircase'.
(2.73 km)
Bottom of Giant Staircase
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Leura Forest (Int of Federal Pass and Dardenelles Tracks) Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 873 m
Time = 27 mins
Climb = 89 m
Descent = -108 m
Continue straight: From the bottom of the Giant Staircase, this walk follows the Dardanelles Pass sign towards 'Leura Forest', keeping the main cliff face on the left. There are occasional good views out over the valley to the east. Gradually, the track begins to descend and becomes more shady. In this section of track, there are often fallen logs across the track, which will need to be climbed over. Gradually, the track descends down behind the pergola at Leura Forest.
(3.61 km)
Leura Forest
to
Lower Linda Creek Falls Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 301 m
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 9 m
Descent = -50 m
Turn left: From the gazebo, this walk follows the wide bush track past the information sign and through the forest, passing a few picnic tables and coming to the Leura Forest signpost. From here the walk continues along the wide track to cross Linda Creek in a timber foot bridge with a handrail[8]. On the other side of the creek this walk comes to an intersection with a faint track, marked with a 'Federal Pass' sign[9].
(3.91 km)
Lower Linda Creek Falls
to
Lila Falls crossing Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 195 m
Time = 12 mins
Climb = 95 m
Descent = -37 m
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Prince Henry Cliff Walk' sign[10] up the timber steps keeping the cascade to your left[11]. The track leads steeply uphill for a short while, to come to the signposted 'Marguerite Cascades'[12]. Continue straight: From Marguerite Cascades, this walk climbs steeply up the wooden steps, then turns left and crosses Linda Creek. These steps climb to a bridge, where the walk passes the tall and slender Linda Falls.
From Linda Falls the walk heads up the wooden and metal staircases. The walk then follows the wooden boardwalk that hugs the side of a rock wall under a shallow overhang before heading up some more steps and soon coming to a small bridge crossing Linda Creek in front of Lila Falls.
(4.1 km)
Lila falls crossing
to
Int of Federal Pass and the Amphitheatre track Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 23 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 18 m
Descent = 0 m
Continue straight: From the Lila Falls, this walk crosses the bridge and heads up the metal staircase. At the top of this climb the walk comes to signposted intersection with the 'Amphitheatre track'.
(4.12 km)
Int of Federal Pass and the Amphitheatre track
to
Fern Bower Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 320 m
Time = 13 mins
Climb = 150 m
Descent = -10 m
Turn left: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Prince Henry Cliff Walk' sign up the timber steps, keeping the valley on the right. The walk winds up the long wooden steps through the rainforest, until it reaches the Fern Bower information sign.
(4.44 km)
Fern Bower
to
Int of Federal Pass and Jamieson Lookout Tracks Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 93 m
Time = 3 mins
Climb = 36 m
Descent = 0 m
Continue straight: From the information sign, this walk follows the bush track, heading up the long set of wooden steps that wind up through the forest. The walk passes a picnic chair under a rocky overhang on the right, and continues up to the top of the valley, where it comes to the intersection with the Jamieson Lookout track.
(4.54 km)
Int of Federal Pass and Jamieson Lookout Tracks
to
Carrington Park Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 225 m
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 22 m
Descent = -5 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads up the wooden steps and follows the bush track, winding up the gentle hill to the signposted intersection with the 'Prince Henry Cliff Walk'. Turn left: From the intersection, the track follows the 'Echo Point' sign along the bush track, winding through the forest for a short while before climbing up a set of wooden steps, to the intersection with the Carrington Park Track (not signposted). Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows the bush track up the stairs. Just past the sign for 'Blue Mountains National Park', the track emerges onto Cliff Drive. Crossing the road, the walk goes into Carrington Park.
Fire Danger This walk passes Greater Sydney Region fire area which currently has a LOW MODERATE rating and No fire ban in place. (Tomorrow the Fire Danger Rating is LOW MODERATE, No fire ban.) (Downloaded 7 years ago) Please Note: Each park may have its own fire ban, this rating is only valid for today and is based on information from the RFS Please check the RFS Website for more information.
Blue Mountains National ParkLink to official closures and fire bans page Attracting over 3 million visitors annually, Blue Mountains National Park holds some of Australia's most spectacular and diverse wilderness areas. Explore the Grose Valley, with its sheer sandstone cliffs, waterfalls and scenic walking, or enjoy the famous views of the Three Sisters. Easy access makes a day trips very worthwhile, but with such diversity it would be great to stay in one of the many B&B's and spend a few days soaking up the region. Region: Sydney & Surrounds Park feesCampingFacilities Current Park Closure information for Blue Mountains National Park Closure information last downloaded Sunday 27th of September 2015 07:00 AM Closed areas: Grand Canyon walking track The Grand Canyon walking track will be closed from Wednesday 14 October 2015 to mid-June 2016. The closure is necessary to allow work to continue on improving the walking track. Access for canyoners will be on weekends only. Access from Evans Lookout via Beauchamp Falls to the Grose Valley will remain open. Evans Lookout carpark, Loop carpark, and Neates Glen carpark will remain open. Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, please contact NPWS Blue Mountains Heritage Centre on (02) 47878877 or visit the NSW National Parks safety page for park safety guidelines.
Closed areas: Waratah Native Gardens Waratah Native Gardens picnic area is closed for maintenance. This includes the Gorge Walking track. No access to the area is permitted.Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, please contact NPWS Hawkesbury area office on (02) 4588 2400 or visit the NSW National Parks safety page for park safety guidelines.
Closed areas: Prince Henry cliff walk, Leura Blue Mountains City Council wishes to advise that Prince Henry cliff walk between Majestic lookout and the junction with the Leura Cascades walk is currently closed due to a landslip. Detours will be in place and clearly signposted around the affected area. Access from the Leura picnic area to the cascades is unaffected. For more information, please contact Blue Mountains City Tourism on 1300 653 408 or Blue Mountains Heritage Centre on (02) 4787 8877, or visit the NSW National Parks safety page for park safety guidelines.
Closed areas: Butterbox Swamp track The traditional access to Butterbox Canyon via the endangered swamp is now closed and rehabilitated. No access permitted. Canyoners should use the new track provided. Temporary signage is in place. Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, please contact Blue Mountains Heritage Centre on (02) 4787 8877 or visit the NSW National Parks safety page for park safety guidelines.
Closed areas: Claustral canyon access change Access to Claustral canyon via the previous route across private land at Mount Tomah is no longer possible due to landholders denying access. Canyoners should respect the rights of Mount Tomah residents and avoid using private land. Alternative access from the west side of Mount Bell has been identified. For more information, please contact the Blue Moauntains Heritage Centre on (02) 4787 8877, open seven days 9am to 4.30pm, or visit the NSW National Parks safety page for park safety guidelines.
Closed areas: Cahills lookout - Katoomba As a result of a recent bushfire, Cahills lookout remains closed until further notice. For more information, please contact Blue Mountains City Council on (02) 4780 5000.
Closed areas: Waratah Native Gardens Waratah Native Gardens Some areas of this park are closed due to a major landslip event occurring across The Gorge Walking Track. Closed areas include The Gorge Walking Track in the Blue Mountains National Park. A full assessment is underway to determine the extent of damage and to ensure the area is made safe. The Gorge Walking Track is closed at the entry trackhead however the Waratah Native Gardens Day Use and Picnic Area located off Valley Ridges Road Berambing (west of Bilpin) has now been reopened. This closure may be extended and any extension will be posted as soon as possible. For more information, please contact NPWS Heritage Centre on (02) 4787 8877, open seven days 9am to 4.30pm, or visit the NSW National Parks safety page for park safety guidelines
Great walk, Leura Forest is magic! Going down from Carrington Park down to Leura Forest was really demanding for our knees, there are really lots of steps there, our legs were jelly at the bottom :) Once we reached Giant Stairway through Dardanells Pass we decided to take it and climbed all the way up to Three Sisters. We didn't want to climb those Carrington Park steps so our loop track returned on top of Prince Henry Cliff path which is a great alternative route for those who want to take some pictures with Three Sisters and save your legs.
Hiking near Sydney 
Track: Hard
500 meters
Check out the facilities at 
You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for up to date running times.
There is free parking available.
not too much longer now :)