Bushwalking track notes, photographs, maps and more for Popes Glen, Pulpit Rock, Govetts Leap and Braeside Walk hiking trail are found in each of the tabs below
Popes Glen, Pulpit Rock, Govetts Leap and Braeside Walk
Time
Distance
Climb
Style
8 Hrs
13.4 km
1427 m
Circuit
3.2 km NE of Blackheath
Blue Mountains National Park
Track: Hard
This large circuit track from Popes Glen to Pulpit Rock, Govetts leap and along the Braeside Track passes some of the most magnificent scenery of eastern Blackheath. From little hidden places like Boyds Beach to the stunning Bridle Veil Falls and Govetts Leap Lookout this track has encompassed a majority of the best sites east of Blackheath.
Bushwalking can be fun and interesting when you are well prepared. Please ensure you and your group are well prepared and equipped for all possible dangers. The authors, staff and owners of wildwalks take care in preparing these notes but do not accept responsibility for any inconvenience, loss or injury sustained when using these notes. Please take care and feel free to provide feedback through our website. Please note that side trips and alternate routes mentioned in these notes are not included in the tracks overall rating, distance or time estimate. The notes also only describe the side trip and alternate routes in one direction.
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(0 km) Int. Popes Glen Trk and Dell St to Boyd Beach Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 2.2 km
Time = 1 Hrs 20 mins
Climb = 286 m
Descent = -387 m
From the intersection near house 49 Dell St the track heads east down the hill. The track continues approximately 300m down the hill to an intersection with access tracks to Clarence Rd, both NW and SE sides. The track continues down the hill for approximately 200m to a waterfall on the right. The track then continues down the hill parallel to the creek to cross a boardwalked section of track. The track leads down the left side of the creek to cross at a bridge then continue approximately 200m down the right side of the creek to the intersection below powerlines. From the intersection the track heads north east down a slight hill. The track continues above the creek, below left, for some time to cross a bridge. The track then continues up the right side of the creek to a second bridge. The track continues for some time down hill to a sign marked intersection. From the intersection the track heads east down the hill. The track winds down the rocky steps for approximately 40m to Boyd Beach.
Boyd Beach
Alt = 923
Boyd Beach, Blue Mountains National Park, is a small sandy bank on Popes Glen Creek. The beach is a quiet spot with nice ferns and shade. The beach is easily accessed.
(2.15 km) Boyd Beach to Int. Popes Glen Trk and Pulpit Rock Trk Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 0.3 km
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 11 m
Descent = -15 m
From Boyd Beach the track heads west up the hill. The track winds up the rocky steps of the hill for approximately 40m to the sign markerd intersection. From the intersection the track follows the 'Govetts Leap' sign climbing for approximately 50m to the left of a rock feature with a track to it. The track continues east, descending close to the creek where another trail with access to the creek is passed. The track continues for approximately 100m to head through a ferny area to a street sign marking the intersection near the creek.
(2.49 km) Int. Popes Glen Trk and Pulpit Rock Trk to Pulpit Rock middle Lookout Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 2.8 km
Time = 1 Hrs 15 mins
Climb = 278 m
Descent = -307 m
From the intersection the track heads north east winding up the hill. The track reaches a railing which is followed around and under a cliff to a lookout, with views of Bridal Veil and Horseshoe Falls. The track then continues in a northern direction around the hillside. The track rounds into a gully and over a creek to rise out again up the hillside. It then follows the hillside for some time leading in and out of gullys to a large railed lookout, Boyd Lookout. From the lookout the track leads north along the hillside. The track contours past views of the Grose Valley on the right and rocky outcrops on the left. The track then swings right, around a spur to head into a gully. The track continues around the gully to drop into a creek to then head south out of the gully to a sign marked intersection. From the intersection the track heads south for approximately 30m to the lookout over the valley From the top lookout the track descends from the left corner of the lookout for approximately 30m down to pass a railed path into a cave on the right. The track continues along the railed path to a seat in the middle of a viewing area.
Pulpit Rock Lookout
Alt = 892
Pulpit Rock Lookout, Blue Mountains National Park, looks over the Grose Valley and back towards Blackheath with Bridal Veil Falls and the Govetts Leap cliff edge. The lookout has many levels with the top most lookout having the easiest access.
(5.3 km) Pulpit Rock middle Lookout to Horseshoe Falls Lookout Trk Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 3 km
Time = 1 Hrs 25 mins
Climb = 336 m
Descent = -291 m
From the seat the track heads up the hill to pass a cave on the left. The track climbs more stairs to a large viewing area on the left. The track continues up the hill for approximately 30m to a sign marked intersection. From the intersection the track heads north west into a gully. The track rounds the gully dropping into a creek before it heads up and out. The track continues to contour with the hillside past views of the Grose Valley on the left and rocky outcrops on the right. The track winds in and out of gullys for approximately 1km to the railed viewing area of Boyd Lookout. From Boyd Lookout the track heads south west. The track follows the hillside for some time leading in and out of gullys. It then descends west into a gully, which faces Horseshoes Falls. The track rounds the gully passing over a creek to a railed lookout on the left. The track then heads under a cliff line west to a railed section of track which winds down the hill steeply to the street sign posted intersection after Popes Glen Creek. From the intersection the track heads south through a ferny area to the stairs. The track climbs the steep stairs to follow the railing around a rock. The track then winds along the hillside for some time heading south to pass a lookout on the left as the track continues south to the intersection.
(8.26 km) Horseshoe Falls Lookout Trk to Govetts Leap Lookout Track: Hard - Bush Track
Distance = 0.3 km
Time = 15 mins
Climb = 97 m
Descent = -59 m
From the intersection the track heads south east winding along the cliff top for some time to lead steeply up the stairs to the intersection at the viewing area. From the intersection the track heads west up the stairs. The track heads up and around the hillside to cross over a bridge to turn left and head up some stairs to the intersection. From the intersection the track heads south up the stairs. The track continues past an information sign on the right to head left up to the railed lookout of Govetts Leap.
Govetts Leap Lookout
Alt = 975
Govetts Leap Lookout is named after the first white man to have come to the spot, William Govett as an assistant surveyor in June 1831. The Govett Leap Lookout allows scenic views over the Grose Valley and the spectacular Bridal Falls. The lookout has easy access from the carpark, which has toilets and picnic facilities.
(8.6 km) Govetts Leap Lookout to Braeside Walk North Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 0.6 km
Time = 15 mins
Climb = 19 m
Descent = -83 m
From the intersection the track heads south east up the hill following the sign to 'Evans Lookout'. The track rises for approximately 400m to then descend the hillside. The track zig zags down the hill with stairs to then cross a creek with cement stepping stones to a sign posted intersection on the other side.
Bridal Veil Falls
Alt = 894
Bridal Veil Falls, Blue Mountains National Park, are fed by Govetts Leap Brook which runs over the cliff into the Grose Valley. The falls are best viewed from Govetts Leap and Barrow Lookouts.
(9.22 km) Braeside Walk North to Barrow Lookout Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 0.1 km
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 4 m
Descent = -2 m
From the intersection the track heads north east, up the winding stairs for approximately 60m to the railed lookout with bench, Barrow Lookout.
Barrow Lookout
Alt = 910
Barrow Lookout, Blue Mountains National Park, looks down to Bridal Veil Falls and across the Grose Valley.
(9.29 km) Barrow Lookout to Int. Braeside Service Trail and Braeside Picnic Area Track: Hard - Bush Track
Distance = 1.2 km
Time = 20 mins
Climb = 62 m
Descent = -10 m
From Barrow Lookout the track heads down the stairs towards Bridal Veil Falls. The track winds down the stairs for approximately 60m to a sign posted intersection above cement stepping stones. From the intersection the track follows the 'Braeside Walk' sign south, up stream, along the rocky track. The track leads approximately 100m to descend down to the creek. The track then uses stepping stones to head up stream to a set of stairs. The track climbs the stairs and continues south west for approximately 100m to be beneath powerlines. A track leads left which accesses the Braeside Powerline Trail. The track continues south west for approximately 100m passing some large boulders on the right as the track continues approximately 500m to the Braeside Picnic Area. From the weir and barbeque the track heads south for approximately 10m to tend right across the creek by the stepping stones. From the creek the track heads up the steps to the sign marked intersection on the service trail.
Braeside Picnic Area
Alt = 956
Braeside Picnic Area, Blue Mountains National Park, is a small picnic area on the southern end of the Braeside walking track. The picnic area has two tables and a barbeque emplacement. The picnic area is situated next to a small weir and waterfall.
(10.52 km) Int. Braeside Service Trail and Braeside Picnic Area to Int. Pope's Glen Trk and Dell St Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - road
Distance = 2.8 km
Time = 1 Hrs 25 mins
Climb = 334 m
Descent = -274 m
From the intersection the track heads up the hill past a car park area on the right and up to the intersection of the service trails. From the intersection the track heads up the hill to turn left onto Braeside St. The track continues up the street to the intersection with Boreas St. From Boreas St the track heads up the hill to Govetts Leap Road. The track then turns left and then the second right onto Prince Edward St. The track continues up Prince Edward St for some time until it turns into Dells St. The track continues up Dell St to the intersection on the right hand side of the road.
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 famou
Hiking near Sydney 
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