Thor Head

Download & Print Map and Notes

2 hrs 30 mins

6.4 km Return

305 m

Very experienced only

The walk to Thor Head has some breathtaking views. The last part of the walk follows a large unfenced cliff line and there is no track for the last 1km. The views along the way are fantastic. If the climb up Thor Head is not for you, the views from the rocky knoll along the cliff line are just as spectacular. If you have some extra time, the optional side trip to Asgard Kiln and Mine are a great way to add some heritage to your walk of breathtaking views.

* This walk passes through very remote areas and sections have no visible track. At least one person in your group should have training and experience in off track walking and navigation. Even with these notes and a GPS these extra skills and equipment are required.

(0km) Int. Victoria Falls Rd and Asgard Swamp Trail East → Int. Asgard Swamp Trail and Pyramid Rock camping Trk

2 km

39 mins

22m

-129m Moderate track

From the car park with the 'Asgard Swamp 3km' sign, this walk passes the closed gate and heads down the hill. After a short distance, the track tends left, more steeply down the hill, to then follow the spur for approximately 500m. The walk then comes to a creek crossing in a swampy area, after which the trail heads up the hill and tends right, continuing for a few hundred metres to an area between two rock outcrops, the larger one on the right.

Pyramid Shaped Rock

The pyramid-shaped rock, Blue Mountains NP, is, as the name suggests, a rock shaped like a pyramid. This rock is situated just south of Asgard Swamp, next to the service trail. The campsite has a well-established fireplace and nicely cleared area for tents. The pyramid shaped rock adds some character to the campsite, providing views over the swamp.

(2km) Int. Asgard Swamp Trail and Pyramid Rock camping Trk → Int. Asgard Swamp Trail and Thor Head Trk

250 m

4 mins

-4m Hard track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk keeps the large rocky outcrop on the right, as the trail follows near to its base. The track leads up a slight hill and onto a small rise, at the top of which is . (If the track starts to slowly drop past this ridge on the left, you have gone too far.)

(2km) Int. Asgard Swamp Trail and Thor Head Trk → Asgard Kiln

520 m

11 mins

-59m Hard track

Veer right: From the intersection, this walk continues down an increasingly thin and more overgrown service trail, keeping the large rocky outcrop on the right, away from the track. The track continues to a signposted intersection.
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the sign 'Asgard Swamp Coal Mine' downhill towards the cliffs (which are across the valley). The track winds down the hill for approximately 100m to a small creek, then turns left to meet a more defined creek with a bridge. This walk crosses the small bridge and turns right, heading down the hill to where the track meets a small waterfall. This intersection is just up the gully from an overhang, on the left of the track.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk crosses the creek and follows the cliffline for approximately 10m. The track then zigzags down the hill to come back on itself while leading down the hill. From the last step, the track ducks under a log to the mine entrance in the cliff, on the left.
Continue straight: From the mine, this walk continues along the cliffline, keeping the cliffs to the left of the track. The walk crosses the creek to the north and contours around the base of the cliffs for approximately 20m to the overgrown kiln. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn right.

Asgard Mine

Asgard mine is the entrance to an old coal mine. The mine and kiln are the only heritage links to such industrial efforts of the 1860's to 1920's, in New South Wales. The mine's entrance is approximately 1.6m tall and wide and expands some 30m into the hill, so pack a torch if peering in. (The integrity of the mine is unknown.) More info.

(2km) Int. Asgard Swamp Trail and Thor Head Track → Thor Head

940 m

25 mins

77m

-72m Very experienced only

Veer left: From the management trail, this walk heads north-east, following the high point of the ridge. The track continues along the ridgeline for approximately 500m before coming to a rockshelf on the cliffline. The track then meanders close to the cliffline for some time, traversing a few rocky knolls before going down the hill to Thor Head. Some people choose to walk down to Thor Head and climb it.

Thor Head

Thor Head, Blue Mountains NP, is a small monolith of rock separated from the hill side. The climb onto it takes some nerve and skill, however the rocky outcrop to the south gives views over the Grose Valley that are just as good, without the climb.

Maps for the Thor Head 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.

Mount Wilson	1:25 000 Map Series	89301N MOUNT WILSON	NSW-89301N
Katoomba	1:100 000 Map Series	8930 KATOOMBA	8930

Cross sectional view of the Thor Head bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Thor Head

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.

		Length	6.4 km
		Time	2 hrs 30 mins
		.
Grade 6/6 Very experienced only	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Very steep and difficult scrambles (5/6)
		Quality of track	Off track (no visible track at times) (6/6)
		Signs	No directional signs (5/6)
		Experience Required	Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6)
		Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
		Infrastructure	No facilities provided (5/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

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

Gradient

Around 2.3km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps, whilst the remaining 940m is very steep with difficult rock scrambles.

Quality of track

Around 2.3km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles, whilst the remaining 940m follows a known route where there is no visible track.

Signs

2km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection and another 940m Has no directional signs. The remaining (250m) has minimal directional signs.

Experience Required

Around 2.3km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 940m requires a leader a with moderate level of 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 2.3km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 940m has no facilities provided.

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Thor Head walk.

Pyramid Shaped Rock

4.2 km Return, 1 hr 30 mins

Pyramid Shaped Rock, is a rock shaped (somewhat) like a pyramid. It is a great place to camp the night, with a flat clear area for your tent, or a nice place to stop for lunch on a day trip. The rock is adjacent to a swamp with water (normally), and the rock's proximity to Thor and Asgard Head walks

Total climbing: 154m

Moderate track

Asgard Kiln and Mine

5.6 km Return, 2 hrs

The walk to the Asgard Kiln and Mine is a great, quick trip which passes through some interesting swamp environments. The track does not get bogged in the swamp but passes along a dry service trail and bush track. The Asgard Kiln and Mine is well worth the visit, but don't forget to take a torch!

Total climbing: 221m

Hard track

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Thor Head walk.

Victoria Falls

3.1 km Return, 2 hrs

The Victoria Falls walk is a great way to get up close to an amazing cascade. The walk explores the top and bottom of the falls, with the chance to climb behind Victoria Falls. This walk heads down into a section of the Grose Valley from the end of Victoria Falls Rd. Although there is no where to s

Total climbing: 431m

Hard track

Victoria Falls and Grose Valley to Blackheath Station

22.5 km One way, 3 Days

This walk explores a fantastic section of the Grose Valley. Starting above Victoria Falls, the walk explores the cascades before dropping into the valley for the first nights rest at Burra Korain campsite. The walk then heads down through the valley to the Blue Gum Forest before camping at Acacia Fl

Total climbing: 1580m

Experienced only

Victoria Falls Lookout

206 m Return, 15 mins

This short, return walk takes you to the lookout above Victoria Falls. Despite the name, the lookout does not view Victoria Falls, but instead gives a magnificent view over the Grose Valley and the surrounding cliffs. There are better lookouts closer to Blackheath, but if you're in the area this ver

Total climbing: 15m

Moderate track

Victoria Falls Lookout to Blue Gum Forest

13.8 km One way, 8 hrs

This long day-walk follows a remote track down from Victoria Falls lookout, passing the waterfall, and into the Grose Valley, to the famous Blue Gum Forest, a scenic and historic highlight of this area. From the Blue Gum Forest, the walk climbs steeply to finish at Perry's Lookdown. You will need to

Total climbing: 1102m

Experienced only

Victoria Falls to Blackheath Station

22.2 km One way, 2 Days

This is a fantastic overnight walk with a sleep in Acacia Flats camping area. The Grose Valley, with its views of the Grose River and surrounding cliffs, gives a dramatic backdrop during most of this walk. The climbs up and down the valley give an appreciation of the scale of it all. Public transpor

Total climbing: 1561m

Experienced only

Victoria Falls to Pierces Pass

8.9 km One way, 2 Days

This is a magnificent overnight walk, allowing time to really explore the area. Enjoying views of Victoria Falls and other cascades makes a great way to start this walk. The campsite of Burra Korain Flats is not as popular as Acacia Flats, enhancing the serenity of the Grose Valley. The walk out via

Total climbing: 854m

Experienced only

Pierces Pass, Blue Gum Forest, Acacia Flats to Perrys Lookdown

10.4 km One way, 5 hrs 30 mins

If you can organise the car shuttle or taxi, this is a great day walk. The track descends from the walls of Pierces Pass into another world along the Grose River, with its tall Blue Gum Forest. The optional side trip to Acacia Flats provides a great place to stop for lunch, and a toilet stop, before

Total climbing: 774m

Experienced only

Pierces Pass to Blue Gum Forest

14 km Return, 6 hrs 30 mins

This walk explores a beautiful section of the Grose Valley from Bells Line of Road. The walk heads down Pierces Pass and follows the magnificent Grose River to the Blue Gum Forest. The Blue Gum Forest is an icon of Blue Mountains bushwalking and this track gives you a great way to reach it. You th

Total climbing: 812m

Experienced only

Pierces Pass to Blackheath Station

17.6 km One way, 9 hrs

This walk explores a section of the Grose River and the flats around the superb Blue Gum Forest. The track then climbs up to Govetts Leap Lookout and along Pope's Glen to Blackheath. The hard yakka will be rewarded by some superb views of blue gums, the gorge, waterfalls and cliffs. This walk is

Total climbing: 1225m

Experienced only

Baltzer Lookout, Hanging Rock

7.6 km Return, 3 hrs 30 mins

This walk to Baltzer Lookout rewards you with excellent scenery and a view over the stunning Hanging Rock (aka the Finger). The track is mainly management trail, and would be great on a mountain bike (to the end of the management trail). The large cliff edges are unfenced and quite exposed, so do ta

Total climbing: 266m

Hard track

Anvil Rock

460 m Return, 15 mins

A nice walk if you are in the area, and worth doing before Pulpit Rock lookout. This walk is not as busy as many of the other lookout walks in the area. The view across the valley is fantastic. The lookout makes a great place for a picnic lunch, and the lack of crowds makes it that much more attr

Total climbing: 14m

Moderate track

Wind Cave

400 m Return, 15 mins

The interesting cave is formed by a tall and long section of wind carved stone. The cave is much taller than it is deep, and there are some nice rock formations. It is a fairly long drive in for a short walk, so you might be better combining this with a walk to Anvil Rock.

Total climbing: 14m

Easy track

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Thor Head walk starts and ends at the Int. Victoria Falls Rd and Asgard Swamp Trail East (gps: -33.567982, 150.28456)

Car. There is free parking available.<br /> (get details)

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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