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Bushwalking track notes, photographs, maps and more for Red Hands Cave are found in each of the tabs below
Red Hands Cave
Time: 30 mins Walking time
Includes the time for the return leg
Please allow extra time to rest and to explore
10.8 km WSW of Penrith
Length: 1 km Walk Length
As this is a return style walk, the 1 km includes the return leg of this walk (ie back to the start)
Blue Mountains National Park
Climb: 51 m Total Climbing
This walk has a total cumulative climb of 51 m, this is the total of the elevation gains made in each of the walks uphill sections
There is car access and parking near the start and end of this walk
Style: Return
Track: Moderate

Red Hands Cave is a small sandstone overhang cave that showcases a number of very clear hand stencillings. The site is protected with an obtrusive cage to keep would-be vandals out. There are a number of signs explaining the history and some artifacts found in the area. The walk is enjoyable and seems to take less time than the drive around. If you are reasonably fit, consider the walk to the same cave, starting from the causeway. (open in app)


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 Red Hands Cave

Map of Walk

Location

                Sponsor of Red Hands Cave bushwalking tracknotes
Map of Red Hands Cave
Problem loading PDF Try here
Map Controls - Show Contours | Hide Path | Hide Distances | Hide Names
Map Scale 500 meters
Red Hands Cave car park
Starting point for this hiking track: Red Hands Cave

Base maps are used under licence and is © Department of lands   Panorama Avenue Bathurst 2795   www.lands.nsw.gov.au

Maps that cover the walk area (please always carry maps of the area)

Print a map and track notes here
 Penrith 1:25 000 Map Series NSW-90303N 
 Penrith 1:100 000 Map Series 9030 

Photo Gallery

 
Red Hands Cave car park
 
Red Hands Cave car park +
 
Red Hands Cave Picnic Area
 
Red Hands Cave Picnic Area +
 
Information sign at start of Red Hands Cave walk
 
Information sign at start of Red Hands Cave walk +

 
Sign at Red Hands Cave picnic area
 
Sign at Red Hands Cave picnic area +
 
Steps in track near Red Hands Cave car park
 
Steps in track near Red Hands Cave car park +
 
Wild flowers near Red Hands Cave
 
Wild flowers near Red Hands Cave +

 
Walking between boulders towards Red Hands Cave
 
Walking between boulders towards Red Hands Cave +
 
Fork in the Red Hands Cave track
 
Fork in the Red Hands Cave track +
 
Rock formations near Red Hands Cave
 
Rock formations near Red Hands Cave +

 
Red Hands Cave protective cage
 
Red Hands Cave protective cage +
 
Artifacts in Red Hands Cave
 
Artifacts in Red Hands Cave +
 
Stencilling at Red Hands Cave
 
Stencilling at Red Hands Cave +

Terrain


Please note: This is a 'return' style walk and therefore these graphs only show the terrain for the first half of the walk (until the turn around point.)

Cross sectional view of the Red Hands Cave bushwalking track

Cross Section of the Red Hands Cave bushwalking track



Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Red Hands Cave bushwalking track

Summary of the gradients over the the lenght of the Red Hands Cave 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 1km
Time 30 mins
.


Grade 3/6

Track: Moderate
AS 2156.1 Gradient Short steep hills (3/6)
Quality of track Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Signs Clearly signposted (1/6)
Experience Required No experience required (1/6)
Weather Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
Infrastructure Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6)
*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
This whole walk, 500m has short steep hills.

Quality of track
This whole walk, 500m follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.

Signs
This whole walk, 500m is clearly signposted.

Experience Required
This whole walk, 500m requires no previous bushwalking experience.

Weather
This whole walk, 500m is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure
This whole walk, 500m is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Track Notes


No permits are required to do the walk, but if you drive into the park, a park entry fee is payable at the gate.



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.
Drive to Red Hands Cave car park
You can drive or ride to this start of this Bushwalk A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.
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 --> Sorry there are no driving directions, but you can see the start of this walk on this map

Red Hands Cave Picnic Area Alt = 208 m
Red Hands Cave Picnic Area is found at the end of the Red Hands Cave Fire Trail in the Glenbrook area of the Blue Mountains National Park. The small picnic area is next to the car park and has a couple of platforms (to act as both a table and seat) as well as a fire place and toilet. The toilet itself is wheelchair accessible, but access to the toilet is over moderately rough terrain. A good spot to rest when exploring Red Hands Cave.

(0 km) Red Hands Cave car park to Red Hands Cave
Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 503 m Time = 12 mins
Climb = 10 m Descent = -41 m
From Red Hands Cave car park, this walk follows the 'Red Hands Cave' sign, past the wire and logs. The track slowly winds down through the bush, passing a few rocky outcrops. The track continues downhill and across a rocky surface. The walk then follows the track right, under the rock outcrop, and down the steps onto the metal veranda at Red Hands Cave.

Red Hands Cave Alt = 178 m
Red Hands Cave, in the Glenbrook area of the Blue Mountains National Park, is found near the end of Red Hands Cave fire trail. The cave has quite a few hand stencils and prints of various colours (including red). The cave is well protected, with a perspex and steel cage. There are some information signs and some artifacts to help visitors learn more about the people who made these prints over 1600 years ago. In 1913, when searching for a lost child, this cave was found by Europeans and is now protected.

Drive from Red Hands Cave car park
You can drive or ride from this end of this Bushwalk A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.
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 --> Sorry there are no driving directions, but you can see the end of this walk on this map

Getting there

Plan your trip to the start of the walk and back from the end of the walk

Public Transport links currently not working, sorry

Driving Directions
To the start of the walk
Since this walk starts on a low grade road
Google can't give you a route plan to the start.
View the location on a road map here --> See the start of the walk on a map
From the end of the walk
Since this walk ends on a low grade road
Google can't give you a route plan from the end.
View the location on a road map here --> See the end of the walk on a map


Near by


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)
Summit Gear 11 Ross St , Glenbrook (02) 4739 4373 3.4 km
Boots Great Outdoors Shop 25 Home Centre Wolseley St , Penrith (02) 4733 5744 7.6 km
Kangaroo Tent City Cnr Mulgoa & Blaikie Rds, Penrith (02) 4733 4111 8.1 km
Getaway Disposals 549 High St , Penrith (02) 4732 2285 10.2 km
Mitchell Adventure 24 Henry St , Penrith (02) 4731 8482 11.1 km


A list of the nearest UHF CB repeaters I found to Red Hands Cave.
Channel Call sign
(more info)
Site Distance and dir from Red Hands Cave
Click to re-center search
4 RIV04 Fire Service Rusden Road MT RIVERVIEW 7 km (to the NNE)
2 KUR02 Miles Comms Site 1 1 246 Burralow Road KURRAJONG HEIGHTS 26 km (to the N)
7 SYD07 7 Glamorgan St BLACKTOWN 30 km (to the E)
5 SYD05 Sydney Adventist Hospital 185 Fox Valley Rd WAHROONGA
Emergency use only
47 km (to the E)
6 LGW06 Lithgow Council Site HASSANS WALLS 52 km (to the NW)

Weather and Park info

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 )
A graph displaying the average daily temperature range for the year

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


Walker Feedback

Comments
Add NewSearch
Dean Somerville IP:60.229.4.xxx | 2008-10-17 11:26:56
Hello,
Your site is generally excellent & covers a great deal of walks, but I couldn't find any details on pulpit rock, govetts leap etc.

Many thanks
regards
Dean Somerville
admin - Thank Super Administrator | 2008-10-17 18:56:56
Hi Dean

Glad you liked the site. I obvisously have some usability issues. We do have the walks you are looking for.

http://www.wildwalks.com/bushwalking-and-hiking-in-nsw/blue-mountains-blackheath-/

We are working on a new design for the site, hopefully that will make it easier to find walks. Now with over 350 walks it can be a bit confusing.

Happy walking

Matt :)
walker IP:60.240.45.xxx | 2013-02-10 09:08:51
Thirty minutes, ha ha. I went out with a bicycle, two hours by the road, and did the return trip shortcut following the creek in two and a half hours. It's a rough scramble, up and down rocks and stream beds, planks over gulleys. Do allow enough time before dark.
admin - length Super Administrator | 2013-02-10 09:24:05
walker wrote:
Thirty minutes, ha ha

Hi 'Walker' sorry you had trouble and found the walk longer then expected - hope you still had a good time.
I think the walk you did is this one http://www.wildwalks.com/bushwalking-and-hiking-in-nsw/glenbrook-eastern-blue-mountains/red-hands-cave-circuit-from-campfire-creek.html which I suggest 3hrs 45mins for. This walk on this page is very short it is about 500m from a different carpark to the cave then 500m back and requires no creek crossings. It is worth carefully looking at the maps and the tracknotes to make sure the walk you are attempting is the same one we are talking about. There are several 'red hand caves' walks in the area. I hope that helps.
Matt :)
Tamara R IP:110.33.224.xxx | 2013-09-02 01:39:46
Long drive, nice short walk. Must attempt the longer walk as my fitness increases.
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Loading the images not too much longer now :)


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