Bushwalking track notes, photographs, maps and more for River Walk (Blue Lake) hiking trail are found in each of the tabs below
River Walk (Blue Lake)
Time
Distance
Climb
Style
1 Hrs 30 mins
1.7 km
226 m
Circuit
18.5 km SE of Oberon
Jenolan Karst Conservation Reserve, Blue Mountains National Park
Track: Moderate
This walk takes you from Grand Arch along the surreal Blue Lake following the hillside down stream to the old Jenolan Caves Hydroelectric Station. The track is dotted with magnificent views of Carlotta Arch and the top of Grand Arch. The circuit style walk brings you underneath the bridge and back to the amazing Grand Arch.
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) Grand Arch East to Blue Lake Access Walk: Easy - footpath
Distance = 0.1 km
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 8 m
Descent = -50 m
From the eastern side of the Grand Arch the track heads over the road to the right of the bridge and the lake behind. The track then tends left around the lake for approximately 40m to an intersection marked by a 'No swimming fishing or throwing stones' sign.
Blue Lake
Alt = 771
Blue Lake, or Lake Jenolan, is a small lake on the eastern side of the Grand Arch. The lake is fed by the River Styx and the Jenolan River. Blue Lake's intense colour comes from the refraction of light through limestone sediments.
(0.11 km) Blue Lake Access to Jenolan Hydro Electric Track: Moderate - footpath
Distance = 0.7 km
Time = 25 mins
Climb = 45 m
Descent = -120 m
From the intersection the track follows the railing around the hillside with the water to the left. The track passes a large weir on the left and continues past old piping which is sign marked. The track continues around the hill for approximately 50m to the intersection. From the intersection the track wraps around the hillside and down a suspended bridge. The track then winds down to the bottom of a waterfall to continue east along the right hand side of the creek for approximately 300m. The track then turns right following the hillside around, to head south for approximately 300m to a birdge. The track passes over the bridge to wind around the hillside and banks of the creek for approximately 500m to the old Jenolan Hydro Electric Power Station and picnic area.
Jenolan Caves Hydro Electric Station
Alt = 689
Jenolan Cave Hydro Electric Station, was originally a Leffel Wheel built in 1889, on the Jenolan River. The building has a glass front with a light switch to show the large machinery which was once used to power Jenolan . Near the hydro electric building there is a nice picnic area next to the weir.
(0.82 km) Jenolan Hydro Electric to Int. above bridge Track: Moderate - footpath
Distance = 0.6 km
Time = 25 mins
Climb = 112 m
Descent = -42 m
From Jenolan Caves Hydro Electric Power Station the track heads in a westerly direction along the right of the creek bank. The track winds around the hillside and banks of the creek for approximately 500m to pass over a bridge. From the bridge the track heads north for approximately 300m to turn left around the hillside. The track then follows the left bank of the creek for approximately 300m to the bottom of a waterfall. The track then zig zags up the suspended bridge to round the hillside to the intersection above a bridge.
(1.42 km) Int. above bridge to Grand Arch East Track: Moderate - footpath
Distance = 0.3 km
Time = 10 mins
Climb = 61 m
Descent = -14 m
From the intersection the track descends to the creek bed. The track then winds around and over the bridge to the other side of the creek. The track then heads north west around and up the hillside for a little while passing old pipes, the weir and some seats. The track leads right, under a bridge to head up some stairs to follow the railed track to the road on the eastern side of the Grand Arch.
De Burghs Bridge
Alt = 783
The bridge spanning out from the Grand Arch was designed by De Burgh, and built by the Public Works Department in 1896. The bridge allowed greater access to the caves and was built from locally cut limestone.
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.
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
