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Time 1 hr 45 mins
One way 3.2 km One way
Climb 224 m
Grade 4 Hard track
Bus Car
no_pets
The Cliff Top Track is a breath-taking walk around the edge of the Grose Valley, between Govetts Leap and Evans lookouts. The many lookouts along this track show off the stunning Grose Valley. The track also showcases Govetts Leap from close up, at Barrows Lookout, and further away, from Govetts Leap Lookout.

Govetts Leap Lookout

Govetts Leap Lookout
Govetts Leap Lookout is named after the first European man to have enjoyed this view, William Govett, as an assistant surveyor in June 1831. Govetts Leap Lookout offers wonderful views over the Grose Valley and the spectacular Bridal Falls. The word `leap` is an old Scottish word meaning waterfall. The lookout is easily accessed from the car park[3], there are also toilets[4]and picnic shelters[5]nearby.

(0km) Govetts Leap Lookout → Barrow Lookout

distance 700 m time 17 mins climb 22m descent -84m Hard track
From the intersection, the walk heads up the hill, following the sign to 'Evans Lookout' and keeping the Grose Valley below on the left. The track rises for approximately 400m and then heads down the hillside. The walk zigzags down the hill, with stairs, and then crosses a creek with cement steppingstones, coming to a signposted intersection on the other side.
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk heads up the winding stairs towards the cliffs. The soon comes to the railed Barrow Lookout, where there is a bench seat.

Barrow Lookout

Barrow Lookout
Barrow Lookout, Blue Mountains National Park, looks down to Govetts Leap falls and across the Grose Valley. The lookout is fenced and has a bench seat to rest.

(1km) Barrow Lookout → Evans Lookout toilets

distance 2.1 km time 53 mins climb 165m descent -104m Moderate track
Continue straight: From the lookout, this walk heads up the stairs, keeping the valley below on the left. The walk winds up the stairs for quite some time, then flattens out along the cliff top. This walk continues along the flat for approximately 100m before climbing up more stairs for approximately 200m, to a bench seat at the intersection. If the track begins to descend after the bench seat, then you have gone too far.
Veer left: From the intersection at the bench seat, this walk heads down the hill, with the valley on the left. The track flattens out for approximately 100m before swinging right, into a gully. The track climbs out of the gully and continues to undulate around the hillside for approximately 500m. The track then descends steeply into 'Haywards Gully' which has a boardwalk bridge. This walk follows the wooden boardwalk for approximately 30m, then continues along a flat, dirt track for approximately 60m. The track then climbs up the hill for approximately 100m to Evans Lookout car park.

Hayward Gully

Hayward Gully
Hayward Gully, Blue Mountains National Park, is named after the first white man, William Hayward, to reach the floor of Govetts Gorge, in 1847. The area is a small gully along the Cliff Top Walk between Evans Lookout and Barrows Lookout. The gully is a quiet place, with a bench seat to enjoy the flora and fauna, and views through the trees into the Grose Valley.

(3km) Evans Lookout toilets → Evans Lookout

distance 270 m time 7 mins climb 17m descent -38m Moderate track
Turn left: From the car park, the walk heads to the other end of the car park (towards the lookouts), to the intersection on the left of the information sign.
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk heads down the hill for approximately 30m to the intersection (on the right).
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads down the hill to the railed lookout approximately 20m down, towards the cliff edge.
Turn around: From Valley View Lookout, this walk heads up the hill approximately 20m to the sign marked intersection.
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Evans Lookout' sign along the hillside, keeping the cliffs to the left of the track. The walk heads along the flat track for approximately 100m to the tarmac surface of Evans Lookout.

Evans Lookout

Evans Lookout
Evans Lookout, Blue Mountains National Park, looks over the spectacular Grose Valley, with its deep gorges, green forest and prominent cliff lines. The fenced lookout is at the end of Evans Lookout Road. There is a rock shelter hut and toilets.

(3km) Evans Lookout → Evans Lookout car park

distance 80 m time 3 mins climb 20m descent 0m Moderate track
Turn sharp right: From the lookout, this walk heads up the hill towards a stone shelter. The track continues past the stone shelter and away from the cliff line, to soon arrive at the car park.

Maps for the Cliff Top Track walk

You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.
These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.

Katoomba1:25 000 Map Series89301S KATOOMBANSW-89301S
Katoomba1:100 000 Map Series8930 KATOOMBA8930

Cross sectional view of the Cliff Top Track bushwalking track

Terrain profile for Cliff Top Track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Cliff Top Track

Altitude analysis for Cliff Top Track

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001

Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.

Length3.2 km
Time1 hr 45 mins
.




Grade 4/6



Hard track
AS 2156.1GradientVery steep (4/6)
Quality of trackFormed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
SignsDirectional signs along the way (3/6)
Experience RequiredNo experience required (1/6)
WeatherWeather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
InfrastructureLimited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

2.3km of this walk has short steep hills and another 700m is very steep. The remaining (180m) has gentle hills with occasional steps.

Quality of track

Around 2.8km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles, whilst the remaining 340m follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs

Around 2.8km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 390m is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 3.2km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 3.2km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

Around 2.9km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 300m is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Cliff Top Track walk.

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Cliff Top Track walk.

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Cliff Top Track walk starts at the Govetts Leap Lookout (gps: -33.627964, 150.31135)

The Cliff Top Track ends at the Evans Lookout car park (gps: -33.646554, 150.32540)

Weather Forecast

This walk starts in the Central Tablelands weather district.

Current Alerts

Park Information

Blue Mountains National Park

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 famous views of the Three Sisters. Easy access makes a day trips very worthwhile, but with such diversity it would be great to stay in one of the many B&B's and spend a few days soaking up the region.

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