Map of Walk

Location

               
Map of Thor Head
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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

Mount Wilson

1:25 000 Map Series

NSW-89301N

Katoomba

1:100 000 Map Series

8930

Photo Gallery

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 Thor Head bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Thor Head 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	6km
		Time	2 hrs 30 mins
		.
Grade 6/6 Route: Unmanaged	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Very steep and difficult scrambles (5/6)
		Quality of track	Off track (no visible track at times) (6/6)
		Signs	No directional signs (5/6)
		Experience Required	Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6)
		Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
		Infrastructure	No facilities provided (5/6)

*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
Around 2.3km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps, whilst the remaining 940m is very steep with difficult rock scrambles.

Quality of track
Around 2.3km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles, whilst the remaining 940m follows a known route where there is no visible track.

Signs
2km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection and another 940m Has no directional signs. The remaining (250m) has minimal directional signs.

Experience Required
Around 2.3km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 940m requires a leader a with moderate level of bushwalking experience.

Weather
This whole walk, 3.2km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure
Around 2.3km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 940m has no facilities provided.

Track Notes

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.

Wildwalks
The State Goverment is allowing Recreational Hunting in our National Parks This poses a serious threat to the environement and visitor safety Help stop the madness by writing a quick letter. Thanks for your help

Drive to Int. Victoria Falls Rd and Asgard Swamp Trail East
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 --> Sorry there are no driving directions, but you can see the start of this walk on this map

(0 km) Int. Victoria Falls Rd and Asgard Swamp Trail East to Int. Asgard Swamp Trail and Pyramid Rock camping Trk Track: Moderate - servicetrail	Length = 2.02 km	Time = 39 mins
	Climb = 22 m	Descent = -129 m
From the car park with the 'Asgard Swamp 3km' sign, this walk passes the closed gate and heads down the hill. After a short distance, the track tends left, more steeply down the hill, to then follow the spur for approximately 500m. The walk then comes to a creek crossing in a swampy area, after which the trail heads up the hill and tends right, continuing for a few hundred metres to an area between two rock outcrops, the larger one on the right.

Pyramid Shaped Rock	Alt = 880 m
The pyramid-shaped rock, Blue Mountains NP, is, as the name suggests, a rock shaped like a pyramid. This rock is situated just south of Asgard Swamp, next to the service trail. The campsite has a well-established fireplace and nicely cleared area for tents. The pyramid shaped rock adds some character to the campsite, providing views over the swamp.

(2.02 km) Int. Asgard Swamp Trail and Pyramid Rock camping Trk to Int. Asgard Swamp Trail and Thor Head Trk Track: Hard - servicetrail	Length = 253 m	Time = 4 mins
	Climb = 1 m	Descent = -4 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk keeps the large rocky outcrop on the right, as the trail follows near to its base. The track leads up a slight hill and onto a small rise, at the top of which is . (If the track starts to slowly drop past this ridge on the left, you have gone too far.)

(2.28 km) Int. Asgard Swamp Trail and Thor Head Trk to Asgard Kiln Optional sidetrip: Track: Hard - servicetrail,bushtrack,bushtrack,bushtrack	Length = 521 m	Time = 11 mins
	Climb = 6 m	Descent = -59 m
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk continues down an increasingly thin and more overgrown service trail, keeping the large rocky outcrop on the right, away from the track. The track continues to a signposted intersection. Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the sign 'Asgard Swamp Coal Mine' downhill towards the cliffs (which are across the valley). The track winds down the hill for approximately 100m to a small creek, then turns left to meet a more defined creek with a bridge. This walk crosses the small bridge and turns right, heading down the hill to where the track meets a small waterfall. This intersection is just up the gully from an overhang, on the left of the track. Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk crosses the creek and follows the cliffline for approximately 10m. The track then zigzags down the hill to come back on itself while leading down the hill. From the last step, the track ducks under a log to the mine entrance in the cliff, on the left. Continue straight: From the mine, this walk continues along the cliffline, keeping the cliffs to the left of the track. The walk crosses the creek to the north and contours around the base of the cliffs for approximately 20m to the overgrown kiln. (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then turn right to continue along this walk.)

Asgard Mine	Alt = 836 m
Asgard mine is the entrance to an old coal mine. The mine and kiln are the only heritage links to such industrial efforts of the 1860's to 1920's, in New South Wales. The mine's entrance is approximately 1.6m tall and wide and expands some 30m into the hill, so pack a torch if peering in. (The integrity of the mine is unknown.) More info

(2.28 km) Int. Asgard Swamp Trail and Thor Head Track to Thor Head Route: Unmanaged - notrack	Length = 943 m	Time = 25 mins
	Climb = 77 m	Descent = -72 m
Veer left: From the management trail, this walk heads north-east, following the high point of the ridge. The track continues along the ridgeline for approximately 500m before coming to a rockshelf on the cliffline. The track then meanders close to the cliffline for some time, traversing a few rocky knolls before going down the hill to Thor Head. Some people choose to walk down to Thor Head and climb it.

Thor Head	Alt = 886 m
Thor Head, Blue Mountains NP, is a small monolith of rock separated from the hill side. The climb onto it takes some nerve and skill, however the rocky outcrop to the south gives views over the Grose Valley that are just as good, without the climb.

Drive from Int. Victoria Falls Rd and Asgard Swamp Trail East
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 --> 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	80- Bathurst Rd , Katoomba	(02) 4782 3018	16.3 km
Paddy Pallin	166 Katoomba St , Katoomba	(02) 4782 4466	16.7 km
Simdra Pet & Hobby Mart	45 Main St , Lithgow	(02) 6352 4422	15.1 km
Lithgow 4WD Centre	281 Main St , Lithgow	(02) 6353 1899	15.9 km
Richmond Camping Supplies	340 Windsor St , Richmond	(02) 4578 3004	43.1 km

A list of the nearest UHF CB repeaters I found to Thor Head.

Channel	Call sign (more info)	Site	Distance and dir from Thor Head Click to re-center search
6	LGW06	Lithgow Council Site HASSANS WALLS	15 km (to the WNW)
5	BIN05	Fire Tower MT BINDO Emergency use only	28 km (to the WSW)
7	VMC7	Fire Tower MT BINDO	28 km (to the WSW)
2	KUR02	Miles Comms Site 1 1 246 Burralow Road KURRAJONG HEIGHTS	31 km (to the E)
3	GAR03	Wide Area Comms Site (off) Portland - Sunny Corner Road GARLANDS HILL	36 km (to the WNW)

Weather and Park info

Fire Danger
This walk passes Greater Sydney Region fire area which currently has a NONE rating and No Ban in place. (Downloaded 2 hours ago)
Please Note: Each park may have its own fire ban status, this rating is based on information from the RFS and BOM.

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

Cloudy. 2.2°C (feels like -1.8°) 11 km/h from the WSW (gusting 13) 88% humidity     (as at 20/01:05am)

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 Thursday 20th of June 2013 12:00 AM
CLOSED AREAS
ATTENTION Katoomba Walking Tracks
The following walking tracks in the Katoomba area will be closed on Thursday 20th June 2013 due to helicopter lifting in materials for the repair of the Prince Henry Cliff Walk between Cliff View Lookout and Lady Darley’s Lookout:

• Federal Pass (from Katoomba Falls [Cook’s Crossing] to intersection with Dardanelles Pass below the Three Sisters.
• Federal Pass from Golden Stairs intersection, below Narrow Neck, to the Scenic Railway bottom station.
• Prince Henry Cliff Walk between Cliff View Lookout and Lady Darley’s Lookout

Glenraphael Drive at Narrow Neck will also be closed at the national park boundary – 1.5km from Cliff Drive. There will be no access to Narrow Neck for vehicles or pedestrians. 
Access to and from Scenic World will be open via Furber Steps.
ATTENTION Wentworth Falls Tracks
The following tracks will be closed on Friday 21st June due to helicopter lifting materials to the Den Fenella Walking Track for track upgrade work.
National Pass
Wentworth Pass
Vera Falls
Undercliff track
Den Fenella track
Rocket Point
Wentworth Falls Picnic Area, lookouts and the following tracks will remain OPEN:
Valley of the Waters to National Pass junction
Nature Track
Short Cut Track
Princes Rock Lookout
Princes Rock track (Undercliff Track to Wentworth Falls).
Queens Cascade
Fletchers Lookout
Wentworth Falls to Rocket Point Junction
Claustral Canyon access change
Access to Claustral Canyon via the usual route across private land at Mount Tomah is no longer possible due to landholders denying access. NPWS has sought alternative access through private land without success.  Canyoners should respect the rights of Mount Tomah residents and avoid using private land.
Alternative access and parking from the west side of Mt Bell has been approved. For details please contact the NPWS Heritage Centre, phone 02 4787 8877; open seven days 9.00 am to 4.30 pm.
Ingar camping areas - Ingar campground
Vehicle access along Ingar Road may be closed at the end of Queen Elizabeth Drive while private property development works are underway. NPWS requests that visitors respect private property closures.
When the gate is closed Ingar Camping Area will remain open to walkers who access around the private property. Walking distance approximately 13kms.
Murphys Glen camping area closed - Murphys Glen campground
Murphys Glen is closed due to road damage and facilities maintenance.
Wentworth Falls walking tracks
The Undercliff and Overcliff tracks are closed between Princes Rock access and Lyrebird Lookout due to recent landslides. This means visitors doing the National or Wentworth Pass loops will need to return via the Shortcut Track.
The Den Fenella walking track will be closed 7 days per week during upgrade work which commenced 31 January 2013. The Den Fenella lookout remains closed due to structural damage on the bridge. 
All enquiries to the Blue Mountains Heritage Centre on 02 4787 8877.
Locations affected:Overcliff-Undercliff track, Den Fenella walking track

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