Looping around the northern bush tracks surrounding Jenolan Caves, this walk explores a variety of different environments, up on the ridges and down along the river. The campsite is a great spot to break and enjoy the quiet, at one of the less-frequented areas of the park. Be sure to allow time to enjoy the views from up on the ridge and especially of Carlotta's Arch. Watch out for stinging nettles down on the river.
(open in app)
Cross sectional view of the McKeowns Valley Circuit bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the McKeowns Valley 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
3.5km
Time
2 hrs
.
Grade 4/6
Track: Hard
AS 2156.1
Gradient
Very steep (4/6)
Quality of track
Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
Signs
Clearly signposted (1/6)
Experience Required
Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
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
2.2km of this walk has short steep hills and another 990m is flat with no steps. Whilst another 190m is very steep and the remaining 35m has gentle hills with occasional steps.
Quality of track
Around 2.6km of this walk follows a smooth and hardened path, whilst the remaining 840m follows a clear and well formed track or trail.
Signs
This whole walk, 3.5km is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
Around 3.3km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 190m requires some bushwalking experience.
Weather
This whole walk, 3.5km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
This whole walk, 3.5km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).
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(0 km)
Caves House
to
Carlotta Arch Lookout Track: Moderate - footpath
Length = 414 m
Time = 12 mins
Climb = 74 m
Descent = -21 m
From the opposite side of the Jenolan Caves Road from Caves House[1], this walk follows the 'Six Foot Track' sign up the concrete steps[2]. The walk then follows the stone footpath up the side of the valley for about 80m to pass the 'Southside Show Caves' information sign[3] then just over 30m later to the 'Grand Arch' information sign (and view of the Arch)[4]. The walk continues fairly gently up the path for 100m (as it bends right) to find 'Caves House' information sign[5]. The path soon starts leading much more steeply up as it begins to Zig Zag up past a seat[6] and more views down to caves house[7] for 150m beside the limestone cliffs[8]. At the top of this climb the path leads over a small small rise then gently down to a fenced lookout beside 'Carlotta Arch'[9][10].
(0.41 km)
Top of Carlotta Arch Steps
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Bottom of Carlotta Arch Steps Optional sidetrip: Track: Moderate - footpath
Length = 31 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 1 m
Descent = 0 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk goes down the stairs until coming to the entrance of the cave. On the way, this walk goes under the towering Carlotta's Arch. The lookout has great views of the valley and Blue Lake. (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then turn right to continue along this walk.)
(0.41 km)
Carlotta Arch Lookout
to
Int of Mckeowns Valley Bushtrack and Devils Coachhouse Trail Track: Hard - footpath,bushtrack
Length = 269 m
Time = 8 mins
Climb = 8 m
Descent = -45 m
Continue straight: From the 'Carlotta Arch'[11][12] lookout, this walk follows the gravel path[13] (past the top of the steps) gently uphill (initially keeping the arch to your right) a short distance to an intersection with the sign posted 'Six Foot Track' (on your right), where another sign points back to 'Caves House'[14]. Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads along the gravel footpath until coming to an intersection with a track signposted as the way to the 'Devil's Coachhouse'. Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads off the gravel footpath and goes down the stairs, zigzagging down the hill. The walk then crosses a bridge over the Jenolan River and comes to intersection with a bush track, marked by a 'Devil's Coachhouse' sign.
(0.68 km)
Int of Mckeowns Valley Bushtrack and Devils Coachhouse Trail
to
McKeowns Valley Campsite Walk: Easy - bushtrack
Length = 844 m
Time = 19 mins
Climb = 35 m
Descent = -41 m
Turn left : From the intersection, this walk heads alongside the Jenolan River (left of the track). The track crosses the river at several points using metal bridges. (Watch out for stinging nettles along this part of the track.) Continuing north along the gravel footpath, the walk slowly winds to reach an electric fence, then heads through the grass clearings signposted as the 'Old Playing Field'. The walk comes to a group of buildings and an intersection with a management trail (which crosses the Jenolan River).
(1.53 km)
McKeown's Valley Campsite
to
McKeown's Valley Lookdown Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 805 m
Time = 28 mins
Climb = 183 m
Descent = -67 m
Turn left: From the campground, this walk crosses the Jenolan River and begins to zigzag up the hill to the south-west. This continues to the top of the hill, where the trail passes a large gate[15] and comes out next to a dirt road and several green buildings. At this point, the track heads south along the dirt road for about 20m, before coming to an intersection with a management trail, where there is a sign pointing towards 'Caves House'[16].
(2.33 km)
McKeowns Valley Lookdown
to
Carlotta Carpark Intersection Track: Moderate - footpath
Length = 595 m
Time = 19 mins
Climb = 18 m
Descent = -92 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads down the hill, following the 'Caves House' sign. The track winds past several private residences and soon heads uphill, coming near a dirt road (Burma Rd). The track turns left and begins to to go down the hill, soon coming to a great informal viewing point which looks over the valley and the Six Foot Track. At this point, the track begins to zigzag down the hill and, at several points, goes past Jenolan Caves Rd. In time, the track comes to a small picnic area and intersection, with a large car park off to the right.
(2.93 km)
Carlotta Carpark Intersection
to
Int of Carlotta and Mckeowns Valley Tracks Walk: Easy - footpath
Length = 36 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -7 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads downhill along the gravel footpath. Shortly after passing the entrance to a cave (on the right), the track comes to an intersection with a set of stairs.
(2.96 km)
Int of Carlotta and Mckeown's Valley Tracks
to
Caves House Track: Moderate - footpath
Length = 489 m
Time = 13 mins
Climb = 29 m
Descent = -74 m
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk heads along the gravel footpath until coming to an intersection with a track signposted as the 'Six Foot Track'. Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Caves House' sign[17] gently downhill along the gravel path a short distance to an intersection and fenced lookout near 'Carlotta Arch'[18][19] (on your left). Continue straight: From the fenced lookout near 'Carlotta Arch'[20][21], this walk follows the 'Caves House' sign gently uphill along the stone path[22] with handrail. The path leads over a small rise to a view into another valley. Here the path begins to zig zag fairly steeply downhill for 150m beside the limestone cliffs[23] passing views down to Caves House[24], past a bench seat[25] to a 'Caves House' information sign[26]. The path continues more gently downhill for another 100m past the 'Grand Arch' information sign (and view of the Arch)[27] then just over 30m later to the 'Southside Show Caves' information sign[28]. The path continues down the side of the valley for another 80m to head down some concrete steps to the side of Jenolan Caves Road[29], opposite Caves House[30], where a 'Six Foot Track' sign points up the steps[31]. The official end of the Six Foot Track.
Fire Danger This walk passes Central Ranges 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.
Jenolan Karst Conservation ReserveLink to official closures and fire bans page This Reserve is home to the world famous Jenolan Caves. The are a number of guided tours avaible paying visitors to explore the underground on well maintianed tracks through the caves. There are also a number of self guided caves that you can walk through at your own leisure, including the masive Grand Arch which you can drive through. There is accomodation and food avaialble in the area and a number of nice walks. Region: Park fees I am not aware of any closures in this park at the moment.
Hiking near Sydney 
Track: Hard
500 meters
There is free parking available.
not too much longer now :)