Starting at Leura Park, this walk passes above Leura Cascades before working its way along the route of Prince Henry's Cliff Walk. The walk winds past many lookouts with brilliant views over the Jamison Valley. The views are even more exceptional from the turn-around point at Gordon Falls Lookout.
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 Leura Park to Gordon Falls Lookout bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Leura Park to Gordon Falls Lookout 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
3.6km
Time
2 hrs
.
Grade 3/6
Track: Moderate
AS 2156.1
Gradient
Short steep hills (3/6)
Quality of track
Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Signs
Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Experience Required
Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather
Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
Infrastructure
Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
*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
1km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 610m has short steep hills. The remaining (170m) is flat with no steps.
Quality of track
1km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail and another 440m follows a smooth and hardened path. The remaining (330m) follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.
Signs
Around 920m of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 860m is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
Around 1.5km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 230m requires some bushwalking experience.
Weather
This whole walk, 1.8km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
Around 1.2km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 600m is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).
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
Leura Cascades Picnic area is a open picnic area beside Cliff Drive, with Leura Cascades Creek running through the middle. There are a number of small cascades in the park, along with toilets and picnic tables. There are a few information signs and maps of the area. The park is well remembered for the artificial caves and arches that have been built to provide shelter and a sense of place. A small road runs through the park, providing access and parking, and garbage facilities are provided. There is also plenty of shade from some large pine trees.
(0 km)
Leura Cascades Picnic Area
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Int of Prince Henry Cliff Walk and Leura Creek Service Trail Track: Moderate - bushtrack,duckboard,bushtrack
Length = 258 m
Time = 6 mins
Climb = 9 m
Descent = -12 m
From cave-like shelters in Leura Cascades Picnic Area, this walk heads along the footpath, passing under the arch. Passing the toilet block, the path comes to the information board, from where the walk follows the 'Leura Cascades Track' sign down the steps. The path soon leads to a small stone wall with a view of some cascades and Chelmsford Bridge.
From the view of Chelmsford Bridge, this walk follows track downhill, keeping the handrail and creek to the left, soon coming to an intersection with 'Prince Henry Cliff Walk' just before a footbridge. Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Leura Cascades' sign across the footbridge to a 'Y' intersection. Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Prince Henry Cliff Walk To Gordon Falls' sign up the timber steps. The walk continues along the bush track that steadily climbs to the top of the gentle hill, where it comes to an intersection with the Cliff Drive bush track.
(0.26 km)
Int of Prince Henry Cliff Walk and Leura Creek Service Trail
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The Rock Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 237 m
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 9 m
Descent = -6 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the bush track heading around the side of the hill, winding through the bush until it comes to the intersection of the short bush track to Cliff Drive. Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the bush track winding around the valley down to the right for a short while, before coming to 'The Rock' lookout just off the track on the right.
The Rock
Alt = 898 m
The Rock is a small, partially-fenced lookout, about 10 metres from the Prince Henry Cliff Walk near Bridal Veil Falls. The old timber fence only partially covers the cliff line and the walk to the lookout can be slippery. The view from the lookout includes close-up views of the crowns of several trees. There is no view of Bridal Veil Falls, but the view does extend across to the cliffs at Bridal View Lookout.
(0.5 km)
The Rock
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Int of Prince Henry Cliff Walk and Bridal Veil Lookout Track Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 106 m
Time = 3 mins
Climb = 7 m
Descent = -5 m
Turn left: From the lookout, this walk follows the bush track winding around the valley, down to the right, heading under a large rock overhang and continuing steadily up the long rocky hill to the signposted intersection of the Bridal View Lookout.
(0.6 km)
Int of Prince Henry Cliff Walk and Bridal Veil Lookout Track
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Bridal Veil View lookout Optional sidetrip: Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 196 m
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 3 m
Descent = -14 m
Veer right: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Bridal View Lookout' sign along the track, heading out towards the cliffs for a short while before winding down a set of metal stairs to the signposted 'Bridal Veil View' lookout. (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then veer right to continue along this walk.)
Bridal Veil View Lookout
Alt = 898 m
The Bridal Veil View is a small, fenced lookout at the base of a flight of stairs in the south-west corner of Leura. The lookout has a natural sandstone floor and provides superb, unobstructed view of the Bridal Veil Falls. The falls are about 150m away, and looking down from the top, the Bridal Veil likeness is apparent. The falls run most of the time, but are most spectacular after rain.
(0.6 km)
Int of Prince Henry Cliff Walk and Bridal Veil Lookout Track
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Int of Prince Henry Cliff Walk and Tarpeian Rock Track Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 113 m
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 16 m
Descent = -8 m
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Gordon Falls' sign along the bush track, winding through the dense bush for a short while before gradually climbing up a gentle hill to the signposted intersection of the Tarpeian Rock track.
(0.71 km)
Int of Prince Henry Cliff Walk Tarpeian Rock Track
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Tarpeian Rock Optional sidetrip: Walk: Easy - bushtrack
Length = 48 m
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 1 m
Descent = -7 m
Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Tarpeian Rock' sign along the bush track, heading through the dense scrub for a short distance before coming to the Tarpeian Rock lookout. (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then turn right to continue along this walk.)
Tarpeian Rock
Alt = 903 m
Tarpeian Rock is a great lookout, suspended high on a sandstone buttress, with circular patterns under foot. The view from the lookout extends from Kings Tableland on the left, to the 'back' of the Three Sisters and into Jamison Valley on the right. There are also great views across to Mount Solitary, Narrow Neck Plateau and the Ruined Castle. The name is derived from the Roman 'Tarpeian Rock', a steep cliff rocky point overlooking the Roman forum that was used as a place to execute people. Thankfully, this Tarpeian Rock has a much more peaceful feel about it. More info
(0.71 km)
Int of Prince Henry Cliff Walk Tarpeian Rock Track
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Olympian Lookout Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 516 m
Time = 15 mins
Climb = 44 m
Descent = -62 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Gordon Falls' sign down the wooden steps and along the track. Notice the environment change to rainforest as the track winds around the valley down to the right. The walk follows the base of some tall rock overhangs, then climbs up a long set of wooden steps that continue on to rock steps, coming to 'Olympian Rock' lookout.
Olympian Lookout
Alt = 885 m
Olympian Lookout is a fenced lookout, just off the Prince Henry Cliff Walk, near Olympian Pde in Leura. The lookout is on a sloped, natural sandstone surface and has some steps cut to help improve access. The lookout is right at the edge of the cliff and provides a great view across the Jamison Valley, out to Mount Solitary. The 'back' of the Three Sisters, and also Narrow Neck, are both visible on the right, and Sublime Point on the left.
(1.23 km)
Olympian Lookout
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Elysian Lookout Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 234 m
Time = 13 mins
Climb = 75 m
Descent = -50 m
Continue straight: From the lookout, this walk follows the bush track past the "Welcome to the Blue Mountains National Park" sign, keeping the valley down the hill to the right as it winds through the bush. The walk comes to a lookout just before the Buttenshaw Bridge, which it then crosses, continuing up the steps to the Elysian Rock Lookout on the other side.
Elysian Rock
Alt = 916 m
Elysian Rock is a fenced, small, narrow lookout on a rock buttress. The floor is mostly uneven, natural sandstone and there is a bench seat with no shade. The lookout is right at the edge of the cliff and gives a great view straight across the Jamison Valley and out to Mount Solitary. Narrow Neck and the 'back' of the Three Sisters are visible on the right-hand side, and Sublime Point on the left. The lookout is along the Prince Henry Cliff Walk, just west of a concrete bridge spanning a chasm and near the end of Elysian Place, Leura.
(1.46 km)
Elysian Lookout
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Gordon Falls Lookout Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 317 m
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 30 m
Descent = -47 m
Veer right: From Elysian Lookout, keeping the valley down to the right, this walk follows the bush track winding through the dense scrub-like forest as it heads up a few wooden steps onto a small platform and continues up the hill to the top, at the intersection of the Gordon Falls Lookout track. Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the hardened dirt path winding down towards the cliffs, dropping down a few sets of wooden steps and one steep metal staircase as it winds down through the bush to the cliffs edge at the Gordon Falls Lookout.
Gordon Falls Lookout
Alt = 890 m
Gordon Falls Lookout is a fenced lookout near the end of Lone Pine Rd, Leura. As the name suggests, there is a good view of Gordon Falls to the left. There is also a wonderful view along the escarpment to Sublime Point. The lookout is right at the edge of the cliff and also has a great view across the Jamison Valley, out to Mount Solitary. Narrow Neck and the 'back' of the Three Sisters are visible on the right-hand side.
Fire Danger This walk passes Greater Sydney Region fire area which currently has a NONE rating and No Ban in place. (Downloaded 36 minutes ago) Please Note: Each park may have its own fire ban status, this rating is based on information from the RFS and BOM.
Blue Mountains National ParkLink 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 feesCampingFacilities Current Park Closure information for Blue Mountains National Park Closure information last downloaded Sunday 19th of May 2013 06:00 PM CLOSED AREAS ATTENTION - Helicopter Operation affecting Katoomba Walking Tracks The following walking tracks in the Katoomba area will be closed on Monday 20th May2013 due to helicopter lifting in the new replacement for Honeymoon Bridge:- Federal Pass (from Katoomba Falls [Cook’s Crossing] to intersection with Dardanelles Pass below Leura.)Federal Pass from Golden Stairs intersection, below Narrow Neck, to the Scenic Railway bottom station. Giant Stairs Dardanelles There will be no access to the top of the Three Sisters, beyond the Prince Henry Cliff Walk junction. 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.
NPWS Heritage Centre is open 7 days a week for information. Tel: 4787 8877
Breakfast Point Lookout closed - Breakfast Point Lookout
Breakfast Point Lookout at Wentworth Falls is closed until further notice. Campsites at Euroka - Euroka campground
Darug campsite now closed until further notice for maintenance and upgrade. Camping is available at other sites at Euroka Campground. For bookings you may book online at http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/online-bookings or call 1300 072 757. For group bookings over 6 and to speak to the local Area office please call 024588 2400 monday to friday. 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. Glenbrook precinct has re-opened Access to Jellybean Pool via the road and the walking track is now open
Euroka walking track remains closed as does Ironbarks Firetrail and Portal Waterhole precinct. Honeymoon Bridge, Three Sisters, Katoomba - Monday 29th April till early June NPWS will be starting work to replace the Honeymoon bridge at the Three Sisters on Monday 29th April. Work should be completed by early June. There will be no access to the bridge during this time. All walking tracks and other lookouts in the area, including the Giant Stairway, will remain open. Short term closures for helicopter operations during the work will be advised. NPWS Heritage Centre is open 7 days a week for information. Tel: 4787 8877 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 HAZARD REDUCTION BURNS Hazard reduction burn Wild Dog Mountains - CLOSED
All walking routes in the Wild Dog Mountains will remain closed until further notice while hazard reduction burning operations are current. The W7 or Cedarland Ridge Rd from Green Gully to Medlow Gap will be re-opened on Monday 13th May.
Anyone intending to walk in Wild Dogs during May should check the national parks website prior to setting off for any updates regarding affected areas. View a map of the hazard reduction burn planned for the Wild Dogs area (PDF 259KB). Hazard reduction burn
An aerially ignited prescribed burn will be undertaken along the Gingra Range in Kanangra-Boyd NationalPark between Friday 17th and Monday 20th May 2013. Walkers are advised to avoid this area during these dates.
All enquiries to NPWS Oberon office on 02 6336 1972 or the Blue Mountains Heritage Centre on 02 4787 8877
Hiking near Sydney 
NEW
Track: Moderate
1 km
not too much longer now :)