Bushwalking track notes, photographs, maps and more for Golden Staircase to Mt Solitary via Ruined Castle hiking trail are found in each of the tabs below
Golden Staircase to Mt Solitary via Ruined Castle
Time
Distance
Climb
Style
8 Hrs 45 mins
12 km
1932 m
Return
4.1 km SSW of Katoomba
Blue Mountains National Park
Track: Hard
With quite significant descents and ascents, this is a track is for the daywalker looking for something more exciting than the average Katoomba cliff walk. With fantastic views at Botting's Lookout, from the top of the Ruined Castle and especially from Mt Solitary, this track is well worth the time invested. There is a rough campsite up the top of Mt Solitary, which makes for a good spot to get out of the elements and rest before heading back to the Golden Staircase.
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.
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
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(0 km) Golden Stairs Track car park to Botting's Lookout Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 0.2 km
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 3 m
Descent = -79 m
From Glenrapael Dr the track follows the Golden stairs sign south through the scrub. The track heads gently down hill with the occasional glimpse of views east, out to Malaita point and towards the Three Sisters. The track 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.
(0.2 km) Botting's Lookout to Bottom of Golden Staircase Track: Hard - Bush Track
Distance = 0.3 km
Time = 20 mins
Climb = 76 m
Descent = -161 m
From Botting's Lookout the track heads down hill into the gully to the south and down the stairs. The track soon flattens out as it heads under a small overhang. The track heads along the flat 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 track climbs down a series of metal and stone stairs. The track flattens out before another series of steps, then heads down the wide spur till meeting with the Federal Pass walking track near the big termite mound. The intersection is signposted.
(0.54 km) Bottom of Golden Staircase to Ruined Castle (Nth) Walk: Easy - Bush Track
Distance = 2.7 km
Time = 1 Hrs
Climb = 110 m
Descent = -185 m
From the intersection the track heads south and gradually around to the east following the signs towards Ruined Castle and Mt Solitary. The track continues along the flat, well managed and shrouded bushtrack until coming to an intersection with the Ruined Castle Circuit. This is clearly signposted. Several hundred metres before reaching the intersection the track passes several small campsites that are just off to the side of the track. These vary in their size and most have fire scars.
(3.22 km) Ruined Castle (Nth) to Ruined Castle (South) Alternative ROUTE: Track: Moderate - Bush Track ( Show detail)
Distance = 0.9 km
Time = 15 mins
Climb = 22 m
Descent = -97 m
From the intersection the track heads south-east along the flat bushtrack following the signpost towards Mt Solitary. This continues along the flat and at several points it is possible to see across the valley over to the Landslide. Accompanying this there are also frequent campsites down off the side of the hill to the left. The track continues in this manner 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 track heads south-east down the hill slightly before flattening out and continuing along the narrow bushtrack. This goes through the ferns and low undergrowth before coming to an intersection with a bushtrack 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.
(3.22 km) Ruined Castle (Nth) to Ruined Castle (South) Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 1 km
Time = 35 mins
Climb = 85 m
Descent = -158 m
From the intersection the track 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 Castle. On the south-eastern side of this it is possible to climb up the large boulders o a magnificent lookout over the Katoomba Valley. The views from the top here are absolutely amazing and definitely worth the climb.. Back on the track the trail continues to the north-east beginning to steeply descend until coming to an intersection with another bushtrack. At this point there are several information signs providing information on the bushwalks in the area.
(4.25 km) Ruined Castle (South) to Mt Solitary Lookout Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 1.8 km
Time = 1 Hrs 55 mins
Climb = 686 m
Descent = -389 m
From the intersection the track follows the signposts 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 bushtrack that over time has been widened by walkers choosing the best route for them. Once reaching the top of this first spur the track continues north-east along a relatively flat bushtrack for a short while before beginning to rise again. At this point the track is consistently steep and there are several small climbs with the track following small signs including spraypainted marks until just before the top where there is a good lookout to the west.
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
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