Bushwalking track notes, photographs, maps and more for Lapstone Bridge ZigZag walk hiking trail are found in each of the tabs below
Lapstone Bridge ZigZig walk
Time
Distance
Climb
Style
1 Hr
1.7 km
124 m
Circuit
5.8 km WSW of Penrith
Track: Hard
This walk is more about history then the bush, but it still gives great views. The walk explores a small section of the old Lapstone Zig Zag railway (not to be confused with the more famous Lithgow Zig Zag railway). You will walk where the tracks one stood, through sandstone cutting, passed and extinct train station to the famous Knapsack Viaduct (bridge).
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.
If driving from Sydney take the Lapstone exit from the Great Western Hwy (it is not far past the end of the freeway). Park in the large dirt parking area near the water tanks on the right, soon after taking the exit.
Alternatively catch the train to Lapstone station and walk to that water tanks from there this is about 1km walk can go by bush track to the east of the railway, or by road on the western side.
You can promote your organisation on the web and in the bush by sponsoring a set of Wildwalks tracknotes. Sponsorship starts from $10 per/month. This program is unique and will offer a great return on your investment.
From the Lapstone water reservoir car park, walk towards the motorway (north), a foot path is on the left (western) side of the road. Follow the track down hill, under the bridge. At the end of the cutting after the bridge you should notice the set of stairs that head up the hill to the old quarry.
(0.2 km) Steps to Quarry Track: Moderate - footpath
Distance = 0 km
Time =
Climb = 3 m
Descent = 0 m
From the road the track heads up the stairs to the clearing at the top. This clearing is an old quarry and section of the original rail line. There is a bit of a “rabbit warren” of tracks.
(0.2 km) Quarry to Intersection of cuttings Walk: Easy - railtrail
Distance = 0.3 km
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 20 m
Descent = -4 m
From the quarry the track heads north, initially across the gully then into the old railway cutting. The track then follow this old train line through several cutting and before to long comes across a junction of these cuttings. The main track continues ahead. (this other track heads south and passes the a few hundred meters west of the quarry).
(0.5 km) Intersection of cuttings to Siding Walk: Easy - railtrail
Distance = 0.2 km
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 15 m
Descent = -17 m
The track heads north through a few more cuttings, and passed the location of an old platform. Soon past the old platform then onto the siding (a section of railway track used for storing trains) and at the end of the siding is an old lookout giving views down the gully to Knapsack bridge.
(0.7 km) Siding to Knasack Bridge Track: Hard - Bush Track
Distance = 0.3 km
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 10 m
Descent = -54 m
The track follows the the bushtrack from the lookout down the ridge, the track initially turns south back parallel with the rail line to a small track intersection. From here take the track and stairs wind down the hill. The track brings you to the south western corner of the bridge. After exploring the bridge footings, the track follows teh obvious path up to the southern end of the bridge.
(1 km) Knapsack Bridge to Western Motorway Footpath Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - Service Trail
Distance = 0.1 km
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 10 m
Descent = -13 m
From Knapsack bridge walk south along the old road, this road will bring you to a locked gate (you can easily walk around it) and soon after the gate you will find a footpath heading south along the Great Western Hwy.
(1.1 km) Western Motorway Footpath to Steps Walk: Easy - footpath
Distance = 0.4 km
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 39 m
Descent = -8 m
Walk south along the foot path - it is far from a wilderness experience walking along the highway, but it does get you back to where you started in the most direct route. Continue up the hill till you come to the steps next to the on ramp.
(1.5 km) steps to Car park Walk: Easy - footpath
Distance = 0.2 km
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 13 m
Descent = -14 m
From the base of the steps (that lead to the old quarry) head south along the footpath that follows the on ramp it turns and goes under the bridge. Soon after the bridge you need to stay left to stick to the track that brings you back to the Lapstone water reservoir car park.
Hiking near Sydney 
500 meters
