Den Fenella to Princes Rock Circuit

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Time 45 mins
Circuit 1.3 km Circuit
Climb 106 m
Grade 3 Moderate track
Car
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This picturesque walk goes down to the cliffs at Den Fenella Lookout, this changing from dry bushland to temperate rain forest along the way. With a short but quite slippery path down to the lookout and then up to Princes Rock, walkers will see how beautiful the Jamison Valley really is. It is worthwhile taking a break on the rockshelf at Princes Rock to enjoy the view of the cascading Wentworth Falls before heading back up to the car park.

(0km) Jamison Lookout → Int of Den Fenella and Undercliff Tracks

distance 380 m time 9 mins climb 1m descent -64m Moderate track
From Jamison Lookout, this walk follows the footpath, keeping the road and picnic area to the right. The path passes a sign pointing back 'To walking tracks' and comes to a small picnic area. The walk heads through this small picnic area to follows the 'Den Fenella Lookout' sign down the hill. The track soon starts to zigzag and passes a lookout, with distant views filtered through the surrounding trees (avoid the track to the left near the lookout). As the track continues down, it passes through temperate rainforest and then bends left to travel parallel with Den Fenella Creek. The track soon leads to an intersection just before a bridge, with a sign pointing back up to 'Wentworth Falls Picnic Area'.

(0km) Int of Den Fenella and Undercliff Tracks → Den Fenella Lookout

distance 80 m time 4 mins climb 8m descent -57m Hard track
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk crosses over Den Fenella Creek using the bridge and comes to an intersection at the 'Den Fenella' sign.
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Den Fenella' sign along the lower track, keeping the creek to the left. The track soon begins to go down very steeply (can be slippery) between the handrails and rock wall. The track then crosses the creek at the stepping stones below the cascades (the creek may be impassable after rain). On the other side of the creek, the walk heads down the steps to come to a bridge below the bigger Den Fenella Fall. From the Den Fenella Fall, this walk crosses the metal bridge and continues along the cliff edge along the fence-lined track. After heading down some steps, the track ends at a fenced point with great views across the valley. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn right.

Den Fenella Lookout

Den Fenella Lookout
The Den Fenella Lookout is a small fenced lookout on a cliff ledge, near where Den Fenella Creek falls into the Jamison Valley. The lookout is at the end of the track and has a tall cliff above and below. There is a small tree on the ledge adding to the sense of depth. From here, there are great views to Mount Solitary (middle), Kings Tableland (left), Narrow Neck Plateau (far right) and Sublime Point (right). This is a great spot, well worth a visit.

(0km) Int of Den Fenella and Undercliff Tracks → Int of Undercliff and Princes Rock Tracks

distance 440 m time 13 mins climb 46m descent -32m Moderate track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Undercliff Walk' sign, initially following the creek on the right, downstream. The track heads up a small set of steps and then tends left (revealing valley views on the right). Soon after passing a rock wall (on the left), the track goes through a muddy section and continues, passing some more large boulders. Soon the track passes another great rock wall (on the left) with fantastic valley views and an old wire fence. The walk then crosses a small metal bridge and comes to an overhang with a constructed stone wall. From this overhang, the walk continues around the valley to soon come to a fenced (unnamed) lookout with great views. From the lookout, this walk heads back into the bush, across a small metal bridge and then soon comes to a three-way intersection with 'Princes Rock' track on the left (and a sign pointing back to the 'Valley of the Waters').

(1km) Int of Undercliff and Princes Rock Track → Int of Princes Rock and Princes Rock Lookout Tracks

distance 100 m time 3 mins climb 8m descent -6m Moderate track
Turn sharp left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Princes Rock' sign up the steps, away from the Undercliff Walk. This track climbs up, passing by a great fenced view over to Mt Solitary and the valley to the right. Soon, the walk comes to an intersection, with a sign pointing back to the 'Undercliff Track 100m'.

(1km) Int of Princes Rock and Princes Rock Lookout Tracks → Princes Rock

distance 20 m time climb 0m descent -4m Easy track
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads downhill following the 'Princes Rock Lookout 200m' sign along the wide track. Very soon, the walk comes to an intersection with another track (on the left - which was closed at time of writing).
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk heads down the gentle hill towards the cliffs and the fenced (unsignposted) Princes Rock Lookout. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Continue straight.

Princes Rock

Princes Rock
Princes Rock is a great fenced lookout, to the west of Wentworth Falls. There are extensive views into the Jamison Valley below. The lookout has an excellent view of Wentworth Falls, cascading over the cliffs opposite.

(1km) Int of Princes Rock and Princes Rock Lookout Tracks → Int of Princes Rock and Wentworth Falls Lookout Track

distance 140 m time 6 mins climb 38m descent -1m Moderate track
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk heads up the steps away from 'Princes Rock Lookout'. The track soon heads across a large rock platform with steps carved in it and then, following the track back into the bush, the walk passes an old drinking trough (not suitable for drinking). After heading up more log steps, the track comes to a three-way intersection, with a small sign pointing back to 'Princes Rock Lookout'.

(1km) Int of Princes Rock and Wentworth Falls Lookout Track → Int of Sir H. Burrell Drive and Princes Rock Track

distance 80 m time 2 mins climb 12m descent -2m Easy track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads up the steps, following the 'Car Park' arrow. The track soon passes a sign pointing back to 'Princes Rock Lookout' and comes to the footpath on the side of Sir H. Burrell Drive.

(1km) Int of Sir H. Burrell Drive and Princes Rock Track → Jamison Lookout

distance 140 m time 2 mins climb 1m descent -3m Very easy
Turn left: From the top of the steps, this walk follows the footpath against the flow of traffic, keeping Jamison Valley to the left. Soon the footpath leads past the information sign to the fenced and signposted Jamison Lookout (and great views).

Jamison Lookout

Jamison Lookout
The recently renovated Jamison Lookout is on Sir H Burrell Drive, in the Blue Mountains National Park. The lookout has a wonderful view to the south, down the Jamison Valley to Mount Solitary and beyond. This is a great wheelchair-accessible viewpoint with a large information sign and bench seats. The lookout is fenced, and is located just below the Wentworth Falls Picnic Area.

Maps for the Den Fenella to Princes Rock Circuit 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 Den Fenella to Princes Rock Circuit bushwalking track

Terrain profile for Den Fenella to Princes Rock Circuit

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Den Fenella to Princes Rock Circuit

Altitude analysis for Den Fenella to Princes Rock Circuit

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.

Length1.3 km
Time45 mins
.




Grade 3/6



Moderate track
AS 2156.1GradientShort steep hills (3/6)
Quality of trackFormed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
SignsDirectional signs along the way (3/6)
Experience RequiredSome bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
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

1.1km of this walk has short steep hills and another 140m is flat with no steps. The remaining (80m) has gentle hills with occasional steps.

Quality of track

600m of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail and another 440m follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles. The remaining (240m) follows a smooth and hardened path.

Signs

Around 840m of this walk is clearly signposted, whilst the remaining 440m has directional signs at most intersection.

Experience Required

Around 900m of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 380m requires some bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 1.3km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

Around 920m of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 360m 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 Den Fenella to Princes Rock Circuit walk.

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Den Fenella to Princes Rock Circuit walk.

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Den Fenella to Princes Rock Circuit walk starts and ends at the Jamison Lookout (gps: -33.725511, 150.36903)

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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