Bushwalking track notes, photographs, maps and more for Scenic Railway to Golden Staircase Circuit hiking trail are found in each of the tabs below
Scenic Railway to Golden Staircase Circuit
Time
Distance
Climb
Style
3 Hrs 30 mins
5.3 km
746 m
Circuit
3.2 km S of Katoomba
Blue Mountains National Park
Track: Hard
Exploring below the cliffs on the western side of the Scenic Railway, this track passes some spectacular lookouts, notably the view from the Landslide. In addition to this, it goes through beautiful shrouded forest before climbing steeply up the Golden Staircase. Once out of the valley, be prepared for a long walk back along dirt and asphalt roads to Scenic World.
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) Scenic World to Scenic Railway (Bottom Platform) Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - railtrail
Distance = 0.2 km
Time = 20 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -187 m
From Scenic World the track goes down the cliffs using the Scenic Railway. This is a 415m long journey and is the world's steepest railway. At the bottom the track comes to a great viewing platform of the valley. Use of the railway costs $10 for adults and $5 for children one-way. Last train normally at 4:45pm (opens at 9am) More info
(0.22 km) Scenic Railway (Bottom Platform) to Int of Scenic Railway Boardwalk and Landslide Bushtrack Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - duckboard
Distance = 0.1 km
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 22 m
Descent = -15 m
From the bottom of the Scenic Railway on the upper viewing platform the track heads south-west along the boardwalk (this has great views over the valley and cliffs). The track passes an old replica of a mining cart, as well as an old mine. Just past this the track comes to a pipeline that runs down the hill collecting fresh drinkable water. This is clearly signposted as drinkable. Continuing past the old mine shafts along the boardwalk the track comes to an intersection with a bushtrack going slightly off to the right. This is signposted as the way to the Landslide.
(0.36 km) Int of Scenic Railway Boardwalk and Landslide Bushtrack to Landslide Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 1.1 km
Time = 35 mins
Climb = 121 m
Descent = -135 m
From the intersection the track heads south-west following the signposts towards the Landslide along the bushtrack. This winds around and the track is largely a bushtrack with frequent small boulders strewn along it. Frequently old mine shafts are just off the track as well as mine markers. The track continues in this manner passing under Malaita Point before breaking out of the vegetation to a relatively good view of the area just before the landslide. At this point the track continues around to the north and at this point the track becomes considerably rougher with frequent boulders over the track. There are also excellent views of the Landslide and cliffs above as the vegetation is quite sparse compared to the track at the start of the component.
(1.45 km) Landslide to Bottom of Golden Staircase Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 1.5 km
Time = 50 mins
Climb = 223 m
Descent = -177 m
From the eastern side of the Landslide the track heads south across the face of the Landslide. At this point the track is quite rough with frequent boulders making it a slight scramble. The trail continues in this manner until reaching the western side of the Landslide where the track becomes a narrow and flat bushtrack that follows the line of the cliffs. The surrounding trees at the point are quite dense producing an extremely peaceful feeling to the area. The trail continues in this manner before coming to an intersection with a set of stairs clearly signposted as the 'Golden Staircase'.
(2.96 km) Bottom of Golden Staircase to Golden Stairs Track car park Track: Hard - Bush Track
Distance = 0.5 km
Time = 25 mins
Climb = 240 m
Descent = -79 m
From the intersection the track follows the Golden Stairs sign up the hill past the termite mound. The track heads west up the broad spur along a bush track. Before to long the track heads up the first set of rock and metal stairs. After this climb the track is relatively flat for a little while before another similar climb up similar stairs. Then the track makes it way around a gully to the base of a cliff. Here the track is flat for a while heading between the cliff and the fence for about 100m before another small climb up through a gap in the rock to Botting's Lookout. This lookout is signposted, fenced and provides nice views of the Katoomba escarpment including the Three Sisters. From Botting's Lookout the track initially heads west, up the hill and past a couple of switch backs. Soon the track turns north and gently makes it way up to the Golden Stairs car park on Glenrapael Dr.
(3.5 km) Golden Stairs Track Carpark to Scenic World Walk: Easy - road
Distance = 1.8 km
Time = 55 mins
Climb = 140 m
Descent = -150 m
From the carpark the track heads along north-east along the servicetrail (Glen Raphael Rd) until reaching Cliff Drive. At this point the track turns left and goes along Cliff Drive for approximately 25m before turning right and going down along a bushtrack between the houses. This goes for approximately 60m before coming to an intersection with Cedar St. At this point the track turns right and follows the road east until coming to Scenic World.
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 
1 km
