For those looking for a walk involving more than simple boardwalk, this trail winding through the temperate rain forest could be just the thing. Katoomba Falls cannot fail to dazzle as they cascade down the cliffs, and the opportunity to stop for a quick cup of coffee in Katoomba Falls Kiosk makes this walk all the more appealing.
(open in app)
There are Closed areas in Blue Mountains National Park Today's Fire rating LOW MODERATE (No fire ban)
Cross sectional view of the Katoomba Falls Circuit bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Katoomba Falls Circuit 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
1.5km
Time
1 hr 45 mins
.
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
Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
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
920m of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 260m has short steep hills. Whilst another 240m is flat with no steps and the remaining 110m is very steep.
Quality of track
850m of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail and another 610m follows a smooth and hardened path. Whilst another 40m follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely and the remaining 35m follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.
Signs
Around 1.4km of this walk is clearly signposted, whilst the remaining 100m has directional signs at most intersection.
Experience Required
Around 1.3km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 250m requires some bushwalking experience.
Weather
This whole walk, 1.5km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
Around 1.4km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 90m has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).
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Scenic World is one of the most renowned tourist attractions of Katoomba and the Blue Mountains. Located on the cliffs of the Jamison Valley [1], visitors can enjoy a ride on the Scenic Railway (the world's steepest incline railway) or the Scenic Cableway, into the Jamison Valley, and explore the Scenic Walkway from the base. Alternatively, the Scenic Skyway offers a bird's eye view over the valley, with a glass floor to enhance the experience. Scenic World also features a revolving restaurant, a cafe and a kiosk, in addition to the documentary theatre and souvenir shop. Rides can be purchased, starting from $16 for adults and $10 for children, and combination or family passes are available. More info
(0 km)
Scenic World
to
End of wooden footbridge Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - footpath
Length = 121 m
Time = 3 mins
Climb = 5 m
Descent = -20 m
From the Scenic World main entrance, this walk follows the 'Prince Henry Cliff Walk' signs down the concrete steps and around to the back of the building, where it comes to a wooden footbridge that curves around behind the main car park. At the end of the footbridge, this walk comes to an intersection with the Prince Henry Cliff Walk.
(0.12 km)
End of wooden footbridge
to
Int of Prince Henry Cliff Walk and Katoomba Falls Round Walk Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 51 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -13 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the bush track down the gentle hill, winding down some wooden steps as the track bends around to the right. It then arrives at the signposted intersection of the 'Prince Henry Cliff Walk' and the track to the base of the Scenic Railway.
(0.17 km)
Int of Prince Henry Cliff Walk and Katoomba Falls Round Walk
to
Vanimans Lookout Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 38 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -16 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads down the steep wooden steps, following the signs to the bottom of the Scenic Railway. The walk comes to the intersection of Vanimans Lookout at the bottom of the steps.
Vaniman's Lookout
Alt = 909 m
Vaniman's Lookout is a fenced, long and narrow lookout on the cliff edge, opposite Reids Plateau. The view looks directly over the Three Sisters across the Kedumba Valley, under the Scenic Skyway. The lookout was considered one of the finest views on the Three Sisters in the 1900's. The lookout was named after Chester Melvin Vaniman in 1905, a well-know adventurer and artist from the USA, who visited the Blue Mountains in 1903[2]. More info
(0.21 km)
Vanimans Lookout
to
Int of Katoomba Falls Round Walk and Juliets Balcony Track Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 107 m
Time = 3 mins
Climb = 4 m
Descent = -11 m
Turn right: From Vanimans Lookout, this walk follows the bush track heading away from the bottom of the wooden steps. The track winds around the side of the hill and down the steep metal stairs. At the bottom, the walk comes to the intersection of the Katoomba Falls Round Walk and Juliets Balcony track (unsignposted).
(0.32 km)
Int of Katoomba Falls Round Walk and Juliets Balcony Track
to
Juliets Balcony Optional sidetrip: Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 12 m
Time =
Climb = 1 m
Descent = 0 m
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk heads up the short set of wooden steps, winding up to the raised rock platform, and along the bush track to the edge of the fenced-off rock shelf. (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then turn right to continue along this walk.)
Juilets Balcony
Alt = 902 m
Juliets Balcony is a spectacular lookout, perched on top of a rock buttress near Orphan Rock, under the Scenic Skyway. The lookout provides sweeping views of the start of the Kedumba Valley, from Katoomba Falls to the Three Sisters. The lookout is accessed by a staircase, off the Furber Steps track. The fenceline continues along the lookout, forming a long, fenced balcony.
(0.32 km)
Int of Katoomba Falls Round Walk and Juliets Balcony Track
to
Int of Katoomba Falls Round Walk and Furber Steps Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 63 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 3 m
Descent = -4 m
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the long set of wooden steps winding down the side of the hill. After this, the walk flattens out for a short distance then continues up a short set wooden steps to the intersection of the Round Walk and the Furber Steps track.
(0.38 km)
Int of Katoomba Falls Round Walk and Furber Steps
to
Rainforest Lookout Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 13 m
Time =
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -1 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Base of Scenic Railway' signpost down the wooden steps to the bottom, where it comes to the Rainforest Lookout.
Rainforest Lookout
Alt = 900 m
Unlike many lookouts in the area, Rainforest Lookout does not offer sweeping valley views. Instead, this lookout offers an opportunity to get up close and personal with the canopy of the rainforest. Spend some time in the cool shade listening to the birds and Witches Leap creek passing by. A sign at the lookout explains that there once were wood-fired barbeques here for picnics, but removed due to the toll on the local environment[3].
(0.39 km)
Rainforest Lookout
to
Int of Furber Steps and Katoomba Falls Lookout Track Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 17 m
Time =
Climb = 1 m
Descent = 0 m
Turn right: From the Rainforest Lookout, the track follows the bush track heading past the base of the wooden steps and then through the forest for a short while, until it reaches the signposted intersection of the Underfalls Walk.
(0.41 km)
Int of Furber Steps and Katoomba Falls Lookout Track
to
Katoomba Falls Walk: Easy - bushtrack
Length = 184 m
Time = 6 mins
Climb = 1 m
Descent = -67 m
Turn left : From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Underfalls Walk' sign down a short set of steps and across a small waterfall using the wooden bridge (This creek flows from Witches Leap all the way down to Veras Grotto). Once past the falls, the track continues through the rainforest, winding along the well-defined path until arriving at Katoomba Falls Lookout, right at the base of the falls.
Katoomba Falls
Alt = 829 m
The Katoomba Falls are among the most famous waterfalls in the the Blue Mountains region. The Kedumba River falls about 150 meters in 2 main stages. The Undercliff Track, from the Furber Steps, can be used to access the first landing of the waterfall. The Katoomba Falls can be viewed from most lookouts in the the area, including from the bottom of the falls at Cooks Landing on Federal Pass, or from the track running next to the Kedumba River at the top of the falls. These falls are also a highlight for the trip across the Scenic Skyway.
(0.59 km)
Katoomba Falls
to
Witches Leap Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 346 m
Time = 9 mins
Climb = 81 m
Descent = -4 m
Turn around: From the Katoomba Falls Lookout, this walk follows the only bush track, winding through the temperate rainforest for about 150 to 200 metres, before crossing a small creek at a wooden bridge. From here the walk continues up the short set of steps until reaching the signposted intersection of the Furber Steps. Turn right: From the intersection, the track follows the bush track heading up the hill, winding up through the forest for a short while. Soon the track bends slightly around to the right and comes to the Rainforest Lookout, at the base of the set of wooden steps. Turn left : From the Rainforest Lookout, this walk heads up the wooden steps, climbing to the top where it comes to a 'T' intersection with the 'Round Walk' track. Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Caravan Park' sign along the hardened path and up the wooden steps, continuing to wind up the side of the hill as the track climbs up a few more sets of wooden steps. This walk Witches Leap Creek at the small wooden bridge, winding up the wooden steps that zigzag up through the gully, to the intersection of the Witches Leap Lookout.
(0.94 km)
Witches Leap
to
Int of Katoomba Kiosk Loop and Witches Leap Track Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 132 m
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 20 m
Descent = -4 m
Veer right: From the Witches Leap Lookout, this walk heads up the wooden steps and up the hardened path that winds up through the gulley, climbing past a small rest area at a large rock overhang. The walk heads to the top of the hill, coming to the intersection of the Prince Henry Cliff Walk and the Reids Plateau loop walk.
(1.07 km)
Int of Katoomba Kiosk Loop and Witches Leap Track
to
Int of Katoomba Kiosk Track and Prince Henry Cliff Walk Track: Moderate - footpath
Length = 25 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 5 m
Descent = 0 m
Turn left: With the Katoomba Falls track to the left and the picnic bench to the right, this walk heads north up the concrete stairs, passing a 'Greenspace Project' sign. The walk comes to the top of the stairs, to the signposted intersection of 'Round Walk' at the back of the small park near the Katoomba Kiosk.
(1.1 km)
Int of Katoomba Kiosk Track and Prince Henry Cliff Walk
to
Katoomba Falls Kiosk Optional sidetrip: Walk: Easy - footpath
Length = 49 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 2 m
Descent = 0 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk crosses through the park, passing the large information signs and the water fountain, arriving at the Katoomba Kiosk. (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then turn right to continue along this walk.)
Katoomba Falls Kiosk
Alt = 932 m
The Katoomba Falls Kiosk serves a variety of light and healthy meals including breakfast, lunch and Devonshire teas. A drink enjoyed here will add to the experience of any local bushwalk. For more information, phone (02) 4782-4868. More info
(1.1 km)
Int of Katoomba Kiosk Track and Prince Henry Cliff Walk
to
Scenic World Track: Moderate - bushtrack,footpath
Length = 431 m
Time = 9 mins
Climb = 39 m
Descent = -18 m
Veer left: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Scenic Railway' sign along the hardened bush track, winding along the side of the hill as the track heads through the forest, to the signposted intersection of the Round Walk and the Prince Henry Cliff Walk. Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the only unsignposted bush track up the gentle hill. It winds up the wooden steps, bending around to the left until it flattens out at the intersection with the Scenic World footbridge. Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads along the wooden footbridge that winds around the back of the Scenic World multi-story car park, to the concrete footpath. The walk continues around the main building, climbing up some concrete steps to the main entrance of Scenic World.
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
Hiking near Sydney 
Track: Hard
500 meters
You can phone 131500 (the transport info line) for up to date running times.
There is free parking available.
not too much longer now :)