Bushwalking track notes, photographs, maps and more for Leura to Katoomba via Dardanelles Pass hiking trail are found in each of the tabs below
Leura to Katoomba via Dardanelles Pass
Time
Distance
Climb
Style
5 Hrs
6.7 km
1090 m
One way
1 km S of Leura
Blue Mountains National Park
Track: Hard
Approximately half cliff-walk and half forest track, this trail truly shows what the cliff edges of the Jamison Valley have to offer. This includes great views at Tarpeian and Fossil Rocks, as well as the beautiful descent into the valley, combined with the mystique of Leura Forest. There are great spots to take a break along the cliff, and also down in the forest. Finish the walk with an exciting ride to the top of Scenic World on the world's steepest railway.
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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Catch the bus to Corner of Olympian Parade and Lone Pine Ave
(0 km) Corner of Olympian Parade and Lone Pine Ave to Int of Prince Henry Cliff Walk and Gordon Falls Lookout Track Walk: Easy - Bush Track
Distance = 0 km
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -7 m
From the corner of Olympian Pde and Lone Pine Ave the track heads south through the park and at the information sign connects to a small bushtrack. Just out of the park after this and the track comes to an intersection with a bushtrack.
(0.04 km) Int of Prince Henry Cliff Walk and Gordon Falls Lookout Track to Gordon Falls Lookout Optional Side Trip: Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 0.1 km
Time = 3 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -28 m
From the intersection the track heads south down towards the cliffs. This gradually goes down until coming to a steep set of metal stairs. At the bottom of these the track turns left and goes for about thrity metres before coming to Gordon Falls Lookout.
(0.04 km) Int of Prince Henry Cliff Walk and Gordon Falls Lookout Track to Int of Prince Henry Cliff Walk Tarpeian Rock Track Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 0.9 km
Time = 20 mins
Climb = 79 m
Descent = -98 m
From the intersection the track heads south-west along the bushtrack. After a short while this curves to the west and winds its way along the cliffs. Just after passing a sign saying Blue Mountains National Park the track comes to Elysian Lookout. From Elysian Lookout the track heads across the chasm using the concrete bridge and joins onto the bushtrack. This goes north-west around the cliffs until coming to a large lookout with great views of Mt Solitary and an intersection with a conrete set of stairs. From the intersection the track heads north-west along the bushtrack down the stairs. The track changes environment from dry scrub to a fern environment as it curves around the valley and turns to the west. At this point there are some great overhangs that the track goes under. In the end section the track climbs up to an intersection with a bushtrack signposted as the way to Tarpeian Rock.
(0.95 km) Int of Prince Henry Cliff Walk Tarpeian Rock Track to Tarpeian Rock Optional Side Trip: Walk: Easy - Bush Track
Distance = 0 km
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -8 m
From the intersection the track heads south out to the cliffs following the sign to Tarpeian Rock. This goes for a short while before breaking out onto a magnificent fenced in lookout.
(0.95 km) Int of Prince Henry Cliff Walk Tarpeian Rock Track to Int of Prince Henry Cliff Walk and Bridal Veil Lookout Track Track: Moderate - Bush Track
Distance = 1.2 km
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 65 m
Descent = -63 m
From the intersedtion the track heads north-east downhill along the bushtrack following the sign to Leura Cascades. This turns gradually to the west and then south until coming to an intersection with a bushtrack signposted as the trail to Bridal Veil Lookout. From the intersection the track heads north downhill following the sign to Leura Cascades. Approximately halfway the track goes under a magnificent overhang before coming to an intersection with a bushtrack going off to the right and up to the Cliff Dr. From the intersection the track heads north-west along the bushtrack. This follows the edge of the valley until coming to an intersection in a clearing with a track that goes up to the road. From the intersection the track heads north along the bushtrack and shortly after crosses a small stream. The track turns slightly downhill until coming to an intersection at Leura Creek. At this point a bridge crosses the creek. From the intersection the track heads down the stairs following the sign to Leura Cascades. These stairs continue until reaching the bottom of the falls. At this point there is a bridge that crosses Leura Creek. From the bottom of the falls the track crosses the bridge and heads downstream along the creek until reaching the bottom of the stairs. The track climbs the stairs and comes to a great lookout back over Leura Cascades. From here the track heads south-west along the bushtrack to an intersection with the Fern Bower Track which has been recently closed due to a landslip. From the intersection the track follows the signs to Echo Point. This goes steeply up a set of log stairs shortly after the intersection. At the top of these the track continues up steadily until coming to an intersection marked with signposts pointing to Echo Point and Leura Cascades. From the intersection the track heads west following the sign towards Echo Point. As this turns to the north it goes through a slippery section of stairs and metal footbridges. The track changes back to bushtrack as it turns to the south before coming to an intersection signposted as the way to Bridal Veil Lookout or Echo Point.
(2.12 km) Int of Prince Henry Cliff Walk and Bridal Veil Lookout Track to Bridal Veil Lookout Optional Side Trip: Walk: Easy - Bush Track
Distance = 0 km
Time = 1 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -14 m
From the intersection the track heads south-east out to the cliffs following the sign to Bridal Veil Falls. The track continues until reaching the cliff lookout which is fenced in. Off to the east is a great view of part of Leura Cascades.
(2.12 km) Int of Prince Henry Cliff Walk and Bridal Veil Lookout Track to Int of Cliff Road and Prince Henry Cliff Walk Track: Moderate - bushtrack, road
Distance = 0.1 km
Time = 3 mins
Climb = 21 m
Descent = -4 m
From the intersection the track heads south-west for about 25m before coming to an intersection signposted as the way to Copelands Lookout. From the intersection the track goes up the hill along the bushtrack until coming to a lookout signposted as Fossil Rock. From the lookout the track heads up the stairs until breaking out onto Cliff Dr. From the top of the bushtrack the trail heads west along Cliff Drive. This soon turns to the north-west. Not long after this the track comes to an intersection signposted as the way to Leura Forest and along the Prince Henry Cliff Walk.
(2.25 km) Int of Cliff Road and Prince Henry Cliff Walk to Leura Forest (Int of Federal Pass and Dardenelles Tracks) Track: Hard - Bush Track
Distance = 0.9 km
Time = 30 mins
Climb = 40 m
Descent = -248 m
From the intersection the track goes down the stairs off Cliff Drive and immediately at the bottom of the stairs comes to an intersection with a bushtrack signposted as part of the Federal Pass Track. At this point there are also a sign pointing to Leura Forest. From the intersection the track heads north-west for a short period along the well-managed bushtrack before coming to an intersection with a bushtrack marked with a sign pointing towards Leura Forest. 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. 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.
(3.15 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 = 1.2 km
Time = 45 mins
Climb = 205 m
Descent = -186 m
From the Pagola at Laura forest the track heads south west away from the Pagola and following the unclear sign pointing along the Dardenelles Track. This rises up next to the cliffs before flattening out and emerging from the forest shade. This continues until reaching an intersection with a set of stairs signposted as the Giant Staircase. These go up the hill to the north-west. From the intersection at the bottom of the Giant Staircase the track heads south alongside the cliffs following the signs towards the Scenic Railway. This continues with some great views over the Katoomba Valley. At several points small seats have been installed to enjoy these fine views. This continues until in the final section going very very slightly down before coming to a heavily signposted intersection with signs pointing along the Federal Pass Track and towards the Scenic Railway.
(4.31 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.
(6.44 km) Scenic Railway (Bottom Platform) to Scenic World Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - railtrail
Distance = 0.2 km
Time = 20 mins
Climb = 187 m
Descent = 0 m
From the bottom platform the track goes down the cliffs using the Scenic Railway. This is a 415m long journey and is the world's steepest railway. 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
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 
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