Info sign at Golden stairs car park +

	Botting's lookout +

	Going under the cliffs along the Golden Staircase +

	Heading around the hill +

	Going through the fern environment in the valley +

	The sign at the Ruined Castle (Nth) Intersection +

	Going up to the Ruined Castle +

	The Ruined Castle +

	Along the alternate route +

Since this is a 'return' style walk once you have had enough of the walk, turn around and retrace your steps back to the start.

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Drive to Golden Stairs Track carpark
There is free parking available. You can drive or ride to the start of this walk Use these links to plan your trip to the start of this walk. Plan your trip from --> Castle Hill|Chatswood|Dural|Epping|Gosford|Hornsby|Katoomba|Manly|Parramatta|Penrith|Strathfield|Sutherland|Sydney|

(0 km) Golden Stairs Track carpark to Bottings Lookout Track: Moderate - bushtrack	Length = 209 m	Time = 8 mins
	Climb = 9 m	Descent = -80 m
From the Golden Stairs car park and information sign on Glenraphael Dr[1], the walk follows the 'Golden Stairs / To Federal Pass' sign[2] along the narrow track. The track leads gently downhill[3] past the black and yellow 'Warning - Sections of the Golden Stairs are unfenced and can be slippery when wet' sign[4], with the occasional glimpse out to Malaita Point and towards the Three Sisters[5][6]. The walk soon heads down a few steep eroded sections of track[7] and passes through a couple of switchbacks. The track then leads to a fenced rock platform[8] signposted as 'Botting's L.O.'[9].

Botting's Lookout	Alt = 878 m
Botting's Lookout[10] offers great views over the Jamison Valley and the cliff line, including the Landslide, Malaita Point and the Golden Stairs. A plaque at the lookout states that the lookout was named after Walter Botting (1887-1985)[11], a pioneer trail-maker of the Katoomba District. More info

(0.21 km) Bottings Lookout to Bottom of Golden Staircase Track: Hard - bushtrack	Length = 429 m	Time = 19 mins
	Climb = 41 m	Descent = -177 m
Turn right: From the lower side of Botting's Lookout[12], this walk heads downhill along the eroded track[13]. The walk follows the steps through a narrow gully[14] then turns right to flatten out[15] and head under a small overhang between the cliff and fence (passing a 'Caution Rockfall Hazard' sign[16]). After about 100m of fence, the track turns right to cross a wide gully[17]. On the other side of the gully, this walk climbs down a series of metal[18] and stone[19] staircases. The walk flattens again before heading down another series of stairs. Finally, the track winds down the wide spur[20] to meet the signposted T-intersection with 'Federal Pass'[21].

(0.64 km) Bottom of Golden Staircase to Miners Campsite Track: Moderate - bushtrack	Length = 2.26 km	Time = 51 mins
	Climb = 104 m	Descent = -129 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Federal Pass - Ruined Castle' sign[22] along the flat wide track, keeping the valley to your left. This track follows the old horse-drawn coal tram route. The track leads through a tall rainforest filled with fern trees[23] and vines[24], with the occasional lyrebird. After about 1.3km the forest opens up[25], letting in more light and exposing some distant filtered views. After wandering through the more open forest[26] for about 250m, the track passes a small campsite[27] (on the right). This walk continues for another 700m along the main track through the bracken fern forest[28] to find a larger campsite[29] (just up to the right) with a short stone wall on one side[30]).

Miners Campsite	Alt = 726 m
This flat campsite beside the Federal Pass walking track about 2.2km south of the intersection at the bottom of the Golden Stairs. There is short constructed stone wall[31] left over from when there area was habited by miners. The campsite is surrounded by a tall forest, bracken ferns and some nice fern trees. There is no water or facilities.

(2.9 km) Miners Campsite to Northern Ruined Castle campsite Track: Moderate - bushtrack	Length = 300 m	Time = 7 mins
	Climb = 16 m	Descent = -11 m
Continue straight: From the miners campsite[32], this walk follows the clear track south-west, keeping the valley to your left. The mostly flat track narrows a bit as it leads past a large flat area (on your right) after about 140m[33], then past a smaller campsite[34] a short distance later. The track then winds through the forest for another 100m to come to a clearing and signposted three-way intersection[35], where there is a 'Federal Pass - Katoomba' sign[36] pointing back along the track. (There is a campsite a few metres further on and to the the left[37].)

Northern Ruined Castle campsite	Alt = 726 m
A short distance south east of the intersection[38] with the Federal Pass and the northern access track to the Ruined Castle, is a fairly large basic campsite. There are two main flat areas for camping, both with fire scares[39]. The area is surround with tall trees and ferns[40][41][42][43]. There is no water nor any other facilities.

(3.2 km) Northern Ruined Castle campsite to Ruined Castle Track: Hard - bushtrack	Length = 727 m	Time = 20 mins
	Climb = 82 m	Descent = -17 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Ruined Castle'[44] sign uphill along the eroded track and soon passes the yellow 'Warning - Remote area indistinct route steep terrain - Exposed climbing loose surfaces - No reliable water Carry plenty Sterilise any water found on route' sign[45]. The track winds up the wide valley getting steeper as it goes, climbing up onto the main ridgeline. Here the walk turns left (away from the view of Castle Head[46]) and follows the rocky track more gently uphill for about 220m to pass under the side of a large boulder[47]. The track continues along the narrow ridge for about 280m, with some filtered views past another large boulder to the base of the tall Ruined Castle summit[48]. Here the walk heads gently down a bit (keeping the rock wall to your left), past a crevice[49], then follows the main track to the other (southern) side of the summit. The track then heads up again to find a number of rocky pinnacles[50].

(3.93 km) Ruined Castle to Northern Ruined Castle campsite Alternate Route: Route: Hard - bushtrack ( Show detail)	Length = 1.32 km	Time = 35 mins
	Climb = 78 m	Descent = -145 m
Continue straight: From near the summit of Ruined Castle[51], this walk heads south-east along the main ridgeline, initially keeping the rock wall to your left[52]. The track follows the rocky ridgeline gently downhill[53] and after about 70m the track starts to become much steeper[54]. The track winds down, flattening out for a short time[55] before continuing steeply down to a sign posted three-way intersection[56] just beyond the 'Ruined Castle to Mount Solitary' map[57]. There is a 'Ruined Castle' arrow[58] here, pointing back up the hill. Turn left : From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Katoomba' sign[59][60] along the mostly flat and clear track[61], keeping the main valley to your right. The track almost immediately passes a campsite[62] (down a steep track on your right) and continues along the flat through the ferny forest[63]. A little over 200m later, the track passes a large square boulder[64], then about 100m further, this walk comes to an intersection[65], where there is a fair amount of coal on the ground[66], a campsite down to your right[67] and the entrance to an old small coal mine[68] (behind a rock) on your left. Continue straight: From the intersection[69], this walk heads along the main track[70] initially keeping the campsite[71] down to your right. The clear track is mostly flat and passes through a tall turpentine forest[72] for about 500m before passing another campsite[73] (on your right). Then, just a few metres further on, this walk comes to a signposted three-way intersection[74] where a sign points back along the track to 'Mount Solitary'[75]. Turn left to rejoin the main walk, following the notes from 3.2km 'Northern Ruined Castle campsite'.

Drive from Golden Stairs Track carpark
There is free parking available. You can drive or ride from the end of this walk Use these links to plan your trip from the end of this walk. Plan your trip to --> Castle Hill|Chatswood|Dural|Epping|Gosford|Hornsby|Katoomba|Manly|Parramatta|Penrith|Strathfield|Sutherland|Sydney|

Campsites in the park
Acacia Flat
Burralow Creek camping ground
Coxs River Camping Area
Euroka campground - Appletree Flat campervan and camper trailer area
Euroka campground
Ingar campground
Mount Werong campground
Murphys Glen campground
Perrys Lookdown campground
Euroka Campground - Darug
Euroka Campground - Red Gum
Euroka Campground - Nioka
Euroka Campground - Bennetts Ridge


Nearest know Outdoor Stores near the start of this walk

Store	Address	Phone	Distance (straight line)
Paddy Pallin	166 Katoomba St , Katoomba	(02) 4782 4466	3.3 km
Summit Gear	80- Bathurst Rd , Katoomba	(02) 4782 3018	3.6 km
Summit Gear	11 Ross St , Glenbrook	(02) 4739 4373	31.6 km
Simdra Pet & Hobby Mart	45 Main St , Lithgow	(02) 6352 4422	30.4 km
Lithgow 4WD Centre	281 Main St , Lithgow	(02) 6353 1899	30.6 km

A list of the nearest UHF CB repeaters I found to Ruined Castle Walk.

Channel	Call sign (more info)	Site	Distance and dir from Ruined Castle Walk Click to re-center search
5	BIN05	Fire Tower MT BINDO Emergency use only	26 km (to the WNW)
7	VMC7	Fire Tower MT BINDO	26 km (to the WNW)
6	LGW06	Lithgow Council Site HASSANS WALLS	29 km (to the NNW)
4	RIV04	Fire Service Rusden Road MT RIVERVIEW	32 km (to the E)
2	KUR02	Miles Comms Site 1 1 246 Burralow Road KURRAJONG HEIGHTS	37 km (to the NE)

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.

Weather and Climate
Weather and Climate summary detailed weather and climate information here

°C (feels like °) km/h from the % humidity     (as at ) Wed       27° Showers. Likely storm developing. Thu 16°|26° Shower or two. Fri 15°|28° Mostly sunny. Sat 12°|22° Possible late shower.

Blue Mountains National Park Link 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 fees Camping Facilities
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

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