Bushwalking track notes, photographs, maps and more for Federal Pass Walking Track hiking trail are found in each of the tabs below
Federal Pass Walking Track
Time
Distance
Climb
Style
5 Hrs
7.7 km
1255 m
One way
2.8 km SE of Katoomba
Blue Mountains National Park
Track: Hard
Following the bottom edge of the cliffs this track passes many of the popular sights of the Katoomba area, on the journey from Leura to the Golden Stairs. Travelling through beautiful forest environments this is one of the longer walks in the area. Leura Forest and Kedumba Falls are both great places to sit and take a break before moving on towards the end of the walk.
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) Carrington Park to Int of Federal Pass and Jamison Lookout Tracks Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 0.2 km
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 5 m
Descent = -24 m
From Carrington Park the track crosses Cliff Drive and goes down the stairs and past the sign saying Blue Mountains National Park. The track goes down the stairs until reaching an intersection signposted as the way to the Echo Point or Leura Cascades. From the intersection the track heads north-east following the signs to Leura Cascades. This curves around to the south slightly and continues until coming to an intersection signposted as the way to Leura Forest or to Leura Cascades. From the intersection the track goes south-west down the hill along the bushtrack for a short period before coming to an intersection with a sign pointing to Jamison Lookout. The track at this point is a steady descent down log stairs.
(0.22 km) Int of Federal Pass and Jamison Lookout Tracks to Jamison Lookout Optional Side Trip: Walk: Easy - Bush Track
Distance = 0 km
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -6 m
From the intersection the track heads south-east along the bushtrack for a short while following the signpost to Jamison Lookout. This track is very short and breaks out onto a splendid lookout and view over the Jamison Valley.
(0.22 km) Int of Federal Pass and Jamison Lookout Tracks to Leura Forest (Int of Federal Pass and Dardenelles Tracks) Track: Hard - Bush Track
Distance = 0.8 km
Time = 25 mins
Climb = 34 m
Descent = -244 m
From the intersection the track heads north-west down the hill and after a very short period this becomes very steep as it turns to the south and enters the valley and joins Linda Creek. At this point the descent is made up of frequent metal as well as log stairs and steep sections of track. The trail at this point is very beautiful and the falls are quite amazing with the track crossing over the creek and zig-zagging down the hill along the metal boardwalk until at the very end flattening out slightly and continuing along the upper bank before coming to an intersection with a bushtrack signposted as part of the Federal Pass Track. There is also a sign pointing to Leura Forest. From the intersection the track heads south-west along the bushtrack and this goes down slightly, crossing Linda Creek at Lila Falls using the boardwalk before flattening out at the bottom of this section of valley. At this point the track changes to being a wide and flat bushtrack that continues ... until coming to a small clearing and picnic table signposted as Leura Forest. Continueing on the bushtrack for several hundred metres the track comes to a large pagoda and clearing. At this point there is an intersection of the Dardenelles and Federal Pass Tracks (The start of the of the Dardenelles Track is hidden behind the Pagoda). Leura Forest is quite beautiful with its shady surrounding trees and mystic atmosphere. This is definitely worth staying for a while in.
(0.99 km) Leura Forest (Int of Federal Pass and Dardenelles Tracks) to Int of Federal Pass, Scenic Railway and Dardenelles Tracks Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 1.3 km
Time = 35 mins
Climb = 117 m
Descent = -99 m
From the intersection the track heads south-east along the bushtrack following the signs along the Federal Pass Track and out of Leura Forest. Shortly after crossing a small creek using a little bridge the track begins to steadily go down. This continues until flattening out and continuing south-west. The environment surrounding the bushtrack at this point is quite dense and while very pretty it is difficult to get good views of the surrounding area. It is possible to see just off to the left hand side of the track parts of the Sublime Point Servicetrail. Towards the end of this trail the track begins to steadily go up towards the base of the cliffs. This continues until at the cliffs coming to an intersection with a bushtrack signposted as part of the Dardenelles Track. There are also several signposts pointing towards the Scenic Railway.
(2.28 km) Int of Federal Pass, Scenic Railway and Dardenelles Tracks to Scenic Railway (Bottom Platform) Walk: Easy - Bush Track
Distance = 2.1 km
Time = 1 Hrs 40 mins
Climb = 493 m
Descent = -479 m
From the intersection the track heads south-west along the bushtrack next to the cliffs, following the signs towards the Scenic Railway. Not long after the intersection the track passes under the Three Sisters and this has been clearly signposted so it is difficult to miss. From here the track turns to the north-west and winds along a relatively flat bushtrack and at several points passes some good rock formations and caves embedded in the cliffs. Accompanying this there are occassional good views that aren't shrouded by the surrounding trees. The track continues in this manner until in the last section comes up to Kedumba Falls which the track crosses over using a metal bridge. Kedumba Falls is extremely pretty and it is possible to see the water flowing quite far down into the valley. Just across the bridge there is a picnic table by which to enjoy the view of the falls. From the intersection the track heads south-west away from Kedumba Falls along the bushtrack for a short while before passing the Turpentine Tree. Shortly after the track comes to an intersection with a bushtrack going off to the right and up the cliffs. From the intersection the track heads south-west alongside the cliffs on the flat bushtrack until passing through a small gate and entering onto the platform of the Scenic Railway. At this point there are fantastic views over the Katoomba Valley as well the Three Sisters.
(4.41 km) Scenic Railway (Bottom Platform) to Landslide Track: Moderate - duckboard, bushtrack
Distance = 1.2 km
Time = 40 mins
Climb = 143 m
Descent = -150 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. 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.
(5.64 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'.
(7.15 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.
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
