Grand Canyon, Cliff Top and Pope’s Glen Track

Download & Print Map and Notes

7 hrs 30 mins

15.6 km Circuit

913 m

Hard track
This walk is a fantastic way to see many of the highlights of this part of the Blue Mountains National Park. The only major descent and climb on the walk is on the section through the Grand Canyon, which is an experience in itself, especially if you’ve never been in a canyon before. The track then continues along the cliff tops with excellent views over the Grose Valley and surrounding cliffs. The vegetation change along these sections is interesting, with areas of drier and wetter foliage dispersed along the track.

Maps for the Grand Canyon, Cliff Top and Pope’s Glen Track walk

You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.
These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.
Katoomba 1:25 000 Map Series 89301S KATOOMBA NSW-89301S
Mount Wilson 1:25 000 Map Series 89301N MOUNT WILSON NSW-89301N
Katoomba 1:100 000 Map Series 8930 KATOOMBA 8930

Cross sectional view of the Grand Canyon, Cliff Top and Pope’s Glen Track bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Grand Canyon, Cliff Top and Pope’s Glen Track

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001

Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.

Length 15.6 km
Time 7 hrs 30 mins
.




Grade 4/6



Hard track
AS 2156.1 Gradient Very steep (4/6)
Quality of track Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
Signs Minimal directional signs (4/6)
Experience Required Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)
Infrastructure Limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) (4/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

7km of this walk has short steep hills and another 4km is very steep. Whilst another 2.8km is flat with no steps and the remaining 2.1km has gentle hills with occasional steps.

Quality of track

9km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and another 3.2km follows a smooth and hardened path. Whilst another 2.4km follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely and the remaining 1.3km follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs

8km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection and another 4.3km is clearly signposted. The remaining (3.2km) has minimal directional signs.

Experience Required

Around 12km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 3.4km requires some bushwalking experience.

weather

Around 15km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 850m is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.

Infrastructure

8km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced) and another 4.9km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats). The remaining (2.8km) has limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Grand Canyon, Cliff Top and Pope’s Glen Track walk.

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Grand Canyon, Cliff Top and Pope’s Glen Track walk.

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Grand Canyon, Cliff Top and Pope’s Glen Track walk starts and ends at the Blackheath Station (gps: -33.633876, 150.2844)
Your transport options to Blackheath Station are by;
Train. (get details)
Car. There is free parking available.
(get details)




Fire Danger

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 Forest

This walk starts in the Central Tablelands weather district always check the formal BOM forecast or pdf before starting your walk.

Forecast snapshot

Park Information & Alerts

Comments

 


Short URL = http://wild.tl/gcctapgt


Gallery images
There are other downloads I am still working on.
You will probably need to login to access these — still all free.
* KML (google earth file)
* GPX (GPS file)

Special Maps/ brochures
* A3 topo maps
* PDF with Lands Topo map base
* PDF with arial image (and map overlay)
I wanted to get the main site live first, this extra stuff will come in time.
Happy walking
Matt 🙂