With quite significant hills, this is a great walk is for the day-walker looking for something more challenging than the average Katoomba cliff top walk. With fantastic views at Botting's Lookout, from the top of the Ruined Castle, and especially good views from Mt Solitary, this walk is well worth the time invested.
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 Golden Staircase to Mt Solitary via Ruined Castle bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Golden Staircase to Mt Solitary via Ruined Castle bushwalking track
(0 km)
Golden Stairs Track carpark
to
Botting's Lookout Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 186 m
Time = 7 mins
Climb = 3 m
Descent = -77 m
From car park and information sign on Glenraphael Dr, the walk follows the 'Golden Stairs' sign into the scrub. The track heads gently downhill, with the occasional glimpse of views out to Malaita Point and towards the Three Sisters. The walk soon passes a steep section with a couple of switch backs - this is just before Botting's lookout. This lookout is signposted, fenced and provides nice views of the Katoomba escarpment including the Three Sisters.
Botting's Lookout
Alt = 878 m
Botting's Lookout offers great views over the Jamison Valley and the cliff line, including the Landslide, Malaita Point and the Golden Stairs. A plaque at the lookout states that the lookout was named after Walter Botting (1887-1985), a pioneer trail-maker of the Katoomba District. More info
(0.19 km)
Botting's Lookout
to
Bottom of Golden Staircase Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 310 m
Time = 12 mins
Climb = 19 m
Descent = -110 m
From Botting's Lookout, the walk heads downhill into the gully and down the stairs. The track soon flattens out as it heads under a small overhang and heads between the cliff and fence. After about 100m of fence, the track turns right into a gully. On the other side of the gully, the walk climbs down a series of metal and stone stairs. The walk flattens again before another series of steps. Finally, the track heads down the wide spur to meet with the signposted intersection with Federal Pass walking track.
(0.5 km)
Bottom of Golden Staircase
to
Ruined Castle (Nth) Walk: Easy - bushtrack
Length = 2.67 km
Time = 58 mins
Climb = 96 m
Descent = -170 m
From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Ruined Castle' and 'Mt Solitary' signs, keeping the valley on the left. The track is fairly flat and well managed, and heads through the dense forest. Several hundred metres before reaching the intersection, the walk passes several small campsites that are just off to the side of the track. These vary in their size and most have fire scars. Soon the walk comes to an intersection with a track on the left, with a sign for 'Ruined Castle'.
(3.17 km)
Ruined Castle (Nth)
to
Ruined Castle (South) Alternate Route:
Track: Moderate - bushtrack
( Show detail)
Length = 880 m
Time = 20 mins
Climb = 20 m
Descent = -94 m
From the intersection, this walk follows the signpost towards 'Mt Solitary', heading south-east along the track. This section of track is fairly flat and, at several points, it is possible to see across the valley over to the Landslide. There are also a number of small campsites down the side of the hill, to the left. The track continues past these campsites until coming to a small campsite that is just off the side of the track. This is just before the track goes down slightly. From the intersection, the walk heads south-east (keeping the valley on the left), down the hill slightly before flattening out and continuing along the narrow bush track. The walk goes through ferns and low undergrowth before coming to an intersection with a track signposted as part of the Ruined Castle Circuit. At this point, there are several signposts providing information on the circuit, as well as the track to Mt Solitary.
(3.17 km)
Ruined Castle (Nth)
to
Ruined Castle (South) Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 1.03 km
Time = 36 mins
Climb = 84 m
Descent = -158 m
From the intersection, the walk follows the sign towards the 'Ruined Castle'. This goes up the hill to the south-west relatively steeply (please heed the sign saying that this trail is easily degraded). At the top of the first hill, the track flattens out slightly, turning to the south-east. This continues until the track goes around to the right and behind the Ruined Castle. On the south-eastern side of this, it is possible to climb up the large boulders to a magnificent lookout over the Katoomba Valley. The views from the top here are absolutely amazing and definitely worth the effort. Back on the track, the walk continues to the north-east, beginning to steeply descend until coming to an intersection with another bush track. At this point, there are several information signs providing information on the bush walks in the area.
(4.2 km)
Ruined Castle (South)
to
Mt Solitary Lookout Route: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 1.79 km
Time = 1 hr 1 mins
Climb = 328 m
Descent = -30 m
From the intersection, this walk follows the signposts south towards Mt Solitary. At this point, the track is relatively flat and goes through the ferns, however after a short while the track begins to climb steeply and steadily up the spur, towards the top of Mt Solitary. This is achieved by an extremely wide bush track that, over time, has been widened by walkers. Once reaching the top of this first spur, the track continues south-east along a relatively flat bush track for a short while before beginning to rise again. At this point, the track heads up the steep 'Koorowall Knife Edge' and there are several small rock climbs. The track follows small signs, including spray painted marks, until just before the top where there is a pleasant lookout to the west.
Fire Danger This walk passes Greater Sydney Region fire area which currently has a LOW-MODERATE rating and No Ban in place. (Checked 11 minutes ago) Please Note: Each park may have its own fire ban status, this rating is based on information from the RFS and BOM.
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.
Current Park Closure information for Blue Mountains National Park Closure information last checked Saturday 4th of September 2010 04:00 AM
Closed areas
Breakfast Point Lookout
Breakfast Point Lookout at Wentworth Falls is CLOSED until further notice.
Other closure information
Roberts Pass at Leura is CLOSED east of the Lindeman Pass junction, due to a landslide. The track is impassable and there is currently NO ACCESS to Valley of the Waters via Roberts Pass.
The track from Junction Rock to Evans Lookout in the Grose Valley at Blackheath is CLOSED due to landslide.
Ingar Picnic Area at Wentworth Falls and Murphys Glen at Woodford are open; access by 4WD recommended.
Burralow Picnic and Camping Area - vehicle access is 4WD only, please take care using this trail.
The Braeside Fire Trail at Blackheath - vehicles access is 4WD only, please take care using this trail.
For updates and further information please contact the NPWS Heritage Centre at Blackheath, ph:4787 8877, open 7 days 9:00am to 4:30pm
The 'Golden Staircase' could be aptly named the :( 'Grubby Staircase' at present. :(
It must be one of the most dangerous :!: , unkempt staircases in the entire Blue Mountains. Worn, at times to the point of NO STAIRS, it is seriously dangerous, especially after rain.
Be prepared for this, the rest of the walk to the Ruined Castle is worth the dangerous descent.
Does anyone know or can give details about the camping spot on Mt Solitary? Are there any other campsites near the Ruined Castle? Thanks! Would appreciate some feedback!
Does anyone know or can give details about the camping spot on Mt Solitary? Are there any other campsites near the Ruined Castle?
Hi Barney,
There are a few campsites along the main track near the base of the Ruined Castle (mentioned in passing in the notes). There is also several ontop of Mt SOlitary the main one in Chinaman's Gully see http://www.wildwalks.com/bushwalking-and-hiking-in-nsw/blue-mountains-katoomba/katoomba-to-wentworth-falls-via-the-jamison-valley.html for more info. Sorry for the info not been as clear as our other notes. I hope to get in there and update these notes soon. Please carry plenty of water, the springs are not reliable.
Matt :)
We just did the walk. The Golden staircase was in my opinion the most dangerous leg of the trip. At times we found ourselves on very steep slippery worn and muddy stairs with full exposure to a cliff fall. This should not be attempted with young kids and only for the fit and sure of foot. Be careful.