Bushwalking track notes, photographs, maps and more for McKeowns Valley Walk hiking trail are found in each of the tabs below
McKeowns Valley Walk
Time
Distance
Climb
Style
1 Hrs 30 mins
3 km
196 m
Return
18.4 km SE of Oberon
Jenolan Karst Conservation Reserve
Track: Hard
Exploring the Jenolan River this track is one of the more beautiful trails in the Jenolan area as it winds its way along the creek bed. High cliffs on either side forming an amazing valley, views of the caves, a great spot to break at the campsite.
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.
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 McKeowns Valley Walk bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the McKeowns Valley Walk bushwalking track
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Jenolan has two licensed restaurants: Trails Bistro is open from breakfast onwards and closes early evening. Trails serves a range of light meals including sandwiches, salads and hot food. Chisholm's Restaurant is open each morning for breakfast and each evening for dinner from 6.00pm. Essential items and beautiful souvenirs may be purchased from Things Jenolan, located on the ground floor of Caves House.
(0 km) Caves House to Top of Carlotta Arch Steps Track: Moderate - footpath
Distance = 0.5 km
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 60 m
Descent = -13 m
From the intersection of the bush track and Jenolan Caves Rd (opposite the visitors centre, Caves House) the track heads north-east up the hill. Nearing the top of the hill the track begins to zig-zag up the hill relatively steeply. Once reaching the top of the hill the track turns to the north for approximately 20m before coming to an intersection with a set of stairs off to the right. These go under Carlotta's Arch.
(0.46 km) Top of Carlotta Arch Steps to Bottom of Carlotta Arch Steps Optional Side Trip: Track: Moderate - footpath
Distance = 0 km
Time =
Climb = 0 m
Descent = 0 m
From the intersection the track goes down the stairs until coming to the entrance to the cave. On the way the track goes under Carlotta's Arch which is a towering arch. The lookout has great views of the valley and Blue Lake.
Carlotta's Arch
Alt = 837
Carlotta's Arch is a large and spectacular cave remnant overlooking Blue Lake. It is believed that the arch was named in honour of a daughter of a surveyor- General P. F Adams. Adams is credited with having taken some of the earliest photos at Jenolan.
(0.46 km) Top of Carlotta Arch Steps to Int of Carlotta and Mckeown's Valley Tracks Path: Easy - Wheelchair accessible - footpath
Distance = 0 km
Time =
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -2 m
From the intersection the track heads north until coming to an intersection with the 6 ft track. From the intersection the track heads north along the gravel footpath until coming to an intersection with a track signposted as the way to the Devil's Coachhouse.
(0.48 km) Int of Carlotta and Mckeown's Valley Tracks to Int of Mckeown's Valley Bushtrack and Devil's Coachhouse Trail Track: Hard - Bush Track
Distance = 0.2 km
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 8 m
Descent = -37 m
From the intersection the track heads off the gravel footpath and goes down the stairs. These zig-zag down the hill until reaching a bridge that crosses the Jenolan River. On the other side of this bridge the track comes to an intersection with a bushtrack marked by a sign pointing to the Devil's Coachhouse.
(0.67 km) Int of Mckeown's Valley Bushtrack and Devil's Coachhouse Trail to McKeown's Valley Campsite Walk: Easy - Bush Track
Distance = 0.8 km
Time = 15 mins
Climb = 35 m
Descent = -41 m
From the intersection the track heads north along the Jenolan River. This crosses the river at several points. Also along the trail it is necessary to watch out for stinging nettles. Continuing north along the gravel footpath the track slowly turns to the west. Once reaching the electric fence off to the left the track goes right through the grass clearings. These are signposted as the Old Playing Fields. This continues until coming to a group of buildings and an intersection with a servicetrail that crosses the Jenolan River.
This Reserve is home to the world famous Jenolan Caves. The are a number of guided tours avaible paying visitors to explore the underground on well maintianed tracks through the caves. There are also a number of self guided caves that you can walk through at your own leisure, including the masive Grand Arch which you can drive through. There is accomodation and food avaialble in the area and a number of nice walks.
Hiking near Sydney 
500 meters
