Tarpeian Rock

Download & Print Map and Notes

15 mins

432 m Return

31 m

Easy track

This short walk starts from Cliff Rd in Leura and heads out to Tarpeian Rock Lookout, crossing over Prince Henry Cliff Walk. The lookout provides breathtaking views down the Jamison Valley and along the Kings Tableland to Mount Solitary. The floor of the lookout is interesting in it's own right, with fascinating circular pattens.

Track north of the Tarpeian Rock track int

(0km) Cliff Drive → Int of Prince Henry Cliff Walk Tarpeian Rock Track

170 m

5 mins

-23m Easy track

From the Cliff Drive, one house west from Olympian Parade, this walk follows the 'Tarpeian Rock' signpost along the bush track, following the sandstone wall. The track soon passes the 'Blue Mountains National Park' sign as it winds through the bush for a short while, then winds down a hill that gradually gets a little steeper as it approaches the intersection of the Prince Henry Cliff Walk at the 'Leura Cascades' sign.

(0km) Int of Prince Henry Cliff Walk Tarpeian Rock Track → Tarpeian Rock

50 m

1 mins

-7m Easy track

Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Tarpeian Rock' sign along the bush track, heading through the dense scrub for a short distance before coming to the Tarpeian Rock lookout.

Tarpeian Rock

Tarpeian Rock is a great lookout, suspended high on a sandstone buttress, with circular patterns under foot. The view from the lookout extends from Kings Tableland on the left, to the 'back' of the Three Sisters and into Jamison Valley on the right. There are also great views across to Mount Solitary, Narrow Neck Plateau and the Ruined Castle. The name is derived from the Roman 'Tarpeian Rock', a steep cliff rocky point overlooking the Roman forum that was used as a place to execute people. Thankfully, this Tarpeian Rock has a much more peaceful feel about it. More info.

Maps for the Tarpeian Rock 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.

Katoomba	1:25 000 Map Series	89301S KATOOMBA	NSW-89301S
Katoomba	1:100 000 Map Series	8930 KATOOMBA	8930

Cross sectional view of the Tarpeian Rock bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Tarpeian Rock

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	432 m
		Time	15 mins
		.
Grade 2/6 Easy track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Gentle hills with occasional steps (2/6)
		Quality of track	Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
		Signs	Clearly signposted (1/6)
		Experience Required	No experience required (1/6)
		Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
		Infrastructure	Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

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

Gradient

Around 170m of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps, whilst the remaining 50m is flat with no steps.

Quality of track

This whole walk, 220m follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs

This whole walk, 220m is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 220m requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 220m is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

This whole walk, 220m 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 Tarpeian Rock walk.

Bridal Veil View Lookout Leura

954 m Return, 30 mins

This short walk from Cliff Drive, Leura, heads out to pretty Bridal Veil View Lookout. At the base of a staircase, the lookout provides great views of Bridal Veil Falls. There is also an optional side trip to Tarpeian Rock, which is well worth the extra time, providing great views up the Jamison v

Total climbing: 64m

Moderate track

Bridal Veil View and Olympian Lookout Walk

2 km Circuit, 1 Hr

This walk is relatively short and takes in some magnificent views. The walk visits Olympian, Bridal Veil View and Tarpeian Lookouts, which are all perched high on top of the cliffs. A great walk, exploring some of the quieter, but still very spectacular, lookouts in the Blue Mountains.

Total climbing: 170m

Moderate track

Leura Park to Gordon Falls Lookout

3.6 km Return, 2 hrs

Starting at Leura Park, this walk passes above Leura Cascades before working its way along the route of Prince Henry's Cliff Walk. The walk winds past many lookouts with brilliant views over the Jamison Valley. The views are even more exceptional from the turn-around point at Gordon Falls Lookout.

Total climbing: 380m

Moderate track

Leura to Katoomba via Dardanelles Pass

6.6 km One way, 4 hrs

With approximately equal parts cliff-walk and forest track, this track truly shows what the cliff edges of the Jamison Valley have to offer, especially at Tarpeian and Fossil Rocks. There is a beautiful descent into the valley, as well as the mystique of Leura Forest, and a number of great spots to

Total climbing: 697m

Hard track

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Tarpeian Rock walk.

Solitary Kiosk and Restaurant to Copelands Lookout

570 m Return, 20 mins

Starting from Solitary Restaurant on Cliff Drive in Leura, this track heads down to the historic Copelands Lookout, providing great views across Jamison Valley. Copelands Lookout is a fairly large lookout with a natural sandstone floor and hand-built sandstone walls. This one way of enjoying great

Total climbing: 57m

Moderate track

Solitary Restaurant to Fossil Rock

150 m Return, 15 mins

This short walk starts at Solitary Restaurant on Cliff Drive, and soon arrives at the lookout at Fossil Rock, with great views down the valley. If you are feeling a bit more energetic, there is an optional side trip to Bridal Veil Lookout, giving great views of the Bridal Veil waterfall. This walk

Total climbing: 19m

Moderate track

Federal Pass

4.4 km One way, 3 hrs 45 mins

The Federal Pass is an excellent track that guides you past much of Katoomba's iconic scenery. The walk starts from Cliff Drive, in Leura, and winds into the Jamison Valley, exploring Leura Forest and passing the base of the Three Sisters. The walk follows the historic Federal Pass beneath Katoomba

Total climbing: 433m

Hard track

Solitary Kiosk Loop

9.4 km Circuit, 5 hrs 30 mins

This is a great walk, with much to offer photographers and those who only have a day in Katoomba. The walk descends into the valley from Solitary Kiosk before climbing up the scenic (and steep) Furber steps and soaking up the views around the rim of the valley. A great way to take in both the valley

Total climbing: 1009m

Hard track

Solitary Restaurant to Jamieson Lookout

308 m Return, 15 mins

Starting near Solitary Restaurant in Leura, this walk heads into the bush passing Echo Tree Lookout. The track the follows the Prince Henry track to Federal Pass, soon coming to Jamiesons Lookout. Jamiesons Lookout provides a great view across the valley, with a bench seat to help you rest and tak

Total climbing: 21m

Moderate track

Olympian Lookout

296 m Return, 20 mins

This short walk from Leura descends many steps as it heads down to the top of the escarpment, overlooking the Jamison Valley. The lookout is fenced and there is an bench seat to enjoy the view from.

Total climbing: 58m

Moderate track

Leura Cascades Circuit

844 m Circuit, 30 mins

Following Leura Creek down to a beautiful small waterfall, this is one of the prettiest short walks in the Leura area. Sit under the overhang and watch as the falls cascade down around you, then climb to great views of the Leura cliffline, before this circuit track leads back to the park.

Total climbing: 62m

Moderate track

Round Walk- (Leura Cascades Loop)

844 m Circuit, 30 mins

This is a short walk out from the beautiful Leura Park. The walk heads past cliffs, the cascades, large ferns and even a historic bridge. The walk is a great one to do between meals at a picnic. Leura Cascades themselves are a great set of waterfalls, and worth taking the camera for.

Total climbing: 62m

Moderate track

Leura Cascades to Gordon Falls Reserve

1.8 km One way, 1 hr 15 mins

From Leura Park to Gordon Falls Park, this diverse walk offers fantastic views of the Jamison Valley, as well as two great side trips down to some smaller waterfalls. Don't be fooled by their size - they are quite beautiful. Be sure to allow extra time for the side trips (especially Gordon Falls),

Total climbing: 200m

Moderate track

Leura Park to Copelands Lookout

1.5 km Return, 1 Hr

The walk out to Copelands Lookout and back is a walk with some variety. The track winds down past some cascades, then past some views into the Jamison Valley and then another view of the cascades. This walk is capped off with the view from Copelands Lookout before returning to Leura Park.

Total climbing: 99m

Moderate track

Lyrebird Dell walk

538 m Return, 30 mins

Lyrebird Dell is a glorious and culturally significant location in the Blue Mountains. This walk follows the shortest route to the picnic area in a large sandstone cave. You will find the cave nestled into the hillside beside a lovely waterfall. The cave enjoys a long history with the traditional o

Total climbing: 38m

Moderate track

Leura Oval to End of Gladstone Rd

1.6 km One way, 1 Hr

The walk from Leura Oval to Gladstone Rd is a fantastic way of exploring a small section of the Blue Mountains National Park. You will visit number of scenic spots including the Pool of Siloam and Golf Links Lookout. The cave, picnic area and waterfall at Lyrebird Dell make this a nice place to sto

Total climbing: 115m

Moderate track

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Tarpeian Rock walk starts and ends at the Cliff Drive (gps: -33.722330, 150.32586)

Bus. (get details)

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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