Narrow Neck to Castle Head

Download & Print Map and Notes

1 hr 45 mins

4.2 km Return

229 m

Hard track

From the locked gate on Glenraphael Dr, on Narrow Neck, this walk heads out to Castle Head lookout. From the Lookout, there are fantastic views over the Jamison Valley back to Katoomba and over to Mount Solitary. You get a birds eye view of Ruined Castle, and distant views of the Three Sisters. Much of the walk follows the western escarpment, giving views most of the way. The road out to the gate is dirt, and is generally well maintained.

View from Narrow neck over the Kedumba Valley

(0km) Locked gate → Int of Glenraphael Drive and northern Castle Head track

850 m

16 mins

25m

-25m Easy track

From the emergency access gate, this walk heads south along the management trail. After a while, it comes to the northern Castle Head track (on the left side of the trail), marked with two treated pine posts either side of the bush track. (For emergency access, keys to the National Park gate are available from the local council, police and National Parks services.)

(1km) Int of Glenraphael Drive and northern Castle Head track → Int of northern and southern Castle Head tracks

320 m

8 mins

22m

-18m Hard track

Turn left: From the intersection, the walk heads west, off the management trail and through the bush. The track steadily climbs up a hill until coming to an intersection with another track (linking the northern and southern Castle Head tracks).
Turn left: From the intersection, the walk heads south-east through the bush, where it climbs over a small hill then meets an intersection of the southern Castle Head track.

(1km) Int of northern and southern Castle Head tracks → End of Castle Head

940 m

23 mins

39m

-100m Hard track

Veer left: From the intersection, the walk heads east for a short distance, then turns towards the south nearer the cliffs, continuing along the bush track which runs parallel to the edge of the cliffs. A little while after, the track climbs steadily to the top of the ridge then proceeds down to the first abseil and lookout point of Castle Head.

Castle Head

Castle Head has an old trig station and sits on a point on the eastern side of Narrow Neck plateau. From this lookout there are great views across the Jamison Valley, and especially good view across the Ruined Castle to Mt Solitary.

Maps for the Narrow Neck to Castle 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.

Six Foot Track	1:50 000 Map Series	Six Foot Track	NSW-six-foot-track
Jamison	1:25 000 Map Series	89302N JAMISON	NSW-89302N
Katoomba	1:25 000 Map Series	89301S KATOOMBA	NSW-89301S
Katoomba	1:100 000 Map Series	8930 KATOOMBA	8930

Cross sectional view of the Narrow Neck to Castle Head bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Narrow Neck to Castle Head

Altitude analysis for Narrow Neck to Castle 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	4.2 km
		Time	1 hr 45 mins
		.
Grade 4/6 Hard track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
		Quality of track	Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
		Signs	Minimal directional signs (4/6)
		Experience Required	Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6)
		Weather	Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)
		Infrastructure	Limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) (4/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

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

Gradient

Around 1.3km of this walk has short steep hills, whilst the remaining 850m has gentle hills with occasional steps.

Quality of track

Around 1.3km of this walk follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely, whilst the remaining 850m follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs

Around 1.3km of this walk has minimal directional signs, whilst the remaining 850m is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

1.1km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience and another 850m requires no previous bushwalking experience. The remaining (180m) requires a leader a with moderate level of bushwalking experience.

weather

Around 1.3km of this walk is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety, whilst the remaining 850m is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

1.1km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced) and another 850m is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats). The remaining (180m) has limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Narrow Neck to Castle Head walk.

Along Narrow Neck to Taro's Ladder

20 km Return, 7 hrs

This walk follows the Glenraphael Drive management trail along Narrow Neck, enjoying plenty of great views of the Jamison Valley and across to Mount Solitary. The climb down Taro's ladder requires skill, and much care and caution should be used. There are plenty of pleasant spots to rest along the

Total climbing: 671m

Moderate track

Cox's River return via Narrowneck

47.8 km One way, 2 Days

This walk is a great, two day walk that drops down from Katoomba to Cox's River in the Megalong Valley. From the scenic Cox's River, the walk returns to Katoomba via Dunphy's campsite and Narrowneck. The trip is two solid days of walking that takes in some breathtaking views of the Blue Mountains. T

Total climbing: 2390m

Very experienced only

Cox's River return via Dunphy's campsite

47.8 km One way, 3 Days

This tough, three day walk descends from Katoomba to the peaceful Megalong Valley. It uses the Six Foot Track to navigate its way down to the Cox's River from where it returns to Katoomba via Dunphy's campsite and Narrowneck. The walk has some stunning panoramas which are complemented by the close-u

Total climbing: 2390m

Very experienced only

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Narrow Neck to Castle Head walk.

Golden Staircase to Mt Solitary via Ruined Castle

11.7 km Return, 8 hrs 45 mins

With quite significant hills, this is a great walk is for the day-walker looking for something more challenging than the average Katoomba cliff top walk. With fantastic views at Botting's Lookout, from the top of the Ruined Castle, and especially good views from Mt Solitary, this walk is well worth

Total climbing: 1048m

Experienced only

Ruined Castle Walk

7.9 km Return, 5 hrs

Entering into the Jamison Valley via the popular Golden Staircase, this walk climbs one of the most recognisable landmarks in the Jamison Valley - The Ruined Castle. A beautiful rock formation that offers great views over the valley as far as Wentworth Falls and Katoomba. Explore some of the history

Total climbing: 666m

Hard track

Katoomba to Wentworth Falls via the Jamison Valley

29.2 km One way, 2 Days

This is the two day version of this popular and challenging walk. This walk passes popular sights including the Landslide, Ruined Castle, Mt Solitary and Wentworth Falls, and is a great way to explore the Jamison Valley. Water is rarely available at the campsite, with the Kedumba River being the on

Total climbing: 2135m

Experienced only

Scenic Railway - Ruined Castle - Mt Solitary - Kedumba River - Wentworth Falls

29.3 km One way, 3 Days

Circling the Jamison Valley, this spectacular three day walk is packed with great views and beautiful scenery. From Scenic World the walk heads around the base of the cliffs before climbing up to the Ruined Castle and then Mt Solitary. Walkers can rest in the sheltered Chinaman's Gully campsite over

Total climbing: 2147m

Experienced only

Scenic Railway to Golden Staircase Circuit

5.9 km Circuit, 3 hrs 30 mins

Exploring below the cliffs on the western side of the Scenic Railway, this walk passes some spectacular lookouts, especially the view from the Landslide. In addition to this, it goes through beautiful shrouded forest before climbing steeply up the Golden Staircase. Once out of the valley, be prepare

Total climbing: 723m

Hard track

Scenic Railway to Leura Forest

6.7 km Return, 4 hrs 30 mins

Any walk that begins with a trip on the world's steepest railway is bound to be exciting, but its the tranquility of Leura Forest that makes this walk extra special. From the bottom of the Scenic Railway, this walk goes through the cool forest at the base of the cliffs, until reaching Leura Forest.

Total climbing: 622m

Moderate track

Scenic Railway to Mt Solitary via the Ruined Castle

16.2 km Return, 11 hrs

One of the longer day-walks in the Katoomba area, this track goes from the very popular Scenic World to the fantastic lookout on top of the Ruined Castle and then on to the amazing Mt Solitary. Be prepared for a long, but amazing, day of viewing the Jamison Valley. Make sure you are back to catch t

Total climbing: 1345m

Experienced only

Scenic Railway to Ruined Castle

12.4 km Return, 7 hrs 30 mins

This is a very popular, full day walk, in the Katoomba Area, offering great views of the valley. The walk follows the edge of the cliffs, through the undergrowth, from the Scenic Railway to the Ruined Castle. There are great views to enjoy from the Ruined Castle. Arrive back in time to catch the Sc

Total climbing: 963m

Hard track

Scenic Railway to the Landslide

2.7 km Return, 2 hrs 30 mins

A great walk for those exploring Scenic World as it passes the old coal-mining sites of Katoomba. Following the base of the cliffs the views are largely shrouded until breaking out into the open at the Landslide. As you walk, be sure to look up and see if you can spot any abseilers, especially in th

Total climbing: 353m

Moderate track

Furber Steps-Scenic Railway

869 m Circuit, 1 hr 15 mins

This popular walk descends into the Jamison Valley, passing great views of Mt Solitary and Katoomba Falls. Be sure to allow time to explore as many of the side trips as possible as these are just amazing (especially the cascading water at Katoomba Falls). To save the walk back up the hill, take a ri

Total climbing: 46m

Hard track

Katoomba Falls Circuit

1.5 km Circuit, 1 hr 45 mins

For those looking for a walk involving more than simple boardwalk, this trail winding through the temperate rain forest could be just the thing. Katoomba Falls cannot fail to dazzle as they cascade down the cliffs, and the opportunity to stop for a quick cup of coffee in Katoomba Falls Kiosk makes t

Total climbing: 159m

Hard track

Mt Solitary and Kedumba Valley Circuit

33.8 km Circuit, 3 Days

On this 3 day walk you will explore some remote areas around the Kedumba Valley, and some of the most famous spots in the Blue Mountains. The walks starts at Scenic World to head down Furber Steps and follow the Federal pass past the Scenic Railway, the land slide, to an optional side trip up Ruined

Total climbing: 2863m

Experienced only

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Narrow Neck to Castle Head walk starts and ends at the Locked gate (gps: -33.740883, 150.28013)

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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