Attic Cave

Download & Print Map and Notes

1 Hr

2 km Return

74 m

Experienced only

This walk visits Attic Cave, a camping cave in the lower Blue Mountains. The cave is large enough to sleep a small party, providing a great shelter to rest. The walk first visits Pisgah Rock, by walking along an old management trail, and includes a very short side trip to the great view up Erskine Creek. From Pisgah rock the track becomes much less distinct, and involves a rock scramble down a gully.

* 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.

Winding through the She Oak near Pisgah Rock

Looking towards Pisgah rock from the end of the old management trial

Bush track from the old management trail near Pisgah Rock

(0km) Pisgah Rock track head → Pisgah Rock Intersection

760 m

14 mins

21m

-17m Moderate track

From the Pisgah Rock car park (2.2km further along Nepean Lookout Fire Trail from the Oaks Picnic Area), this walk follows the 'Pisgah Rock 700mt' sign along the old management trail. The track meanders through the Eucalypt and Casuarina forest as it climbs a gentle hill and then heads down the other side. The track soon comes to an intersection with a small bush track off to the left, from the intersection there are glimpses of the valley views.

(1km) Pisgah Rock Intersection → Pisgah Rock

20 m

1 mins

-5m Moderate track

Veer left: From the intersection this walk takes the short bush track toward the view of the valley. The track comes to the unfenced cliff and great view from the top of Pisgah Rock and a sign posted 'take care when walking near cliffs'. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Veer left.

Pisgah Rock

Pisgah Rock, is a short walk from Nepean Lookout Fire Trail in the lower Blue Mountains, and provides excellent views up Erskine Creek Gorge. The informal lookout is not fenced, and the surface is uneven with large crevasse like cracks. The view is simply amazing, with great views right up the middle of Erskine Creek Gorge. There are also great views to the left, down Erskine Creek Gorge and across the flats of the southern parts for greater Sydney. The rock presumably derives its name from the height point on Mount Nebo, where the Bible reports Moses seeing the promised land for the first time. In Hebrew pisgah refers to a high place. This Pisgah Rock is very much a high place, with great views.

(1km) Pisgah Rock Intersection → Attic Cave

250 m

6 mins

13m

-23m Experienced only

Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows the old management trail that very soon narrows into a bush track as it heads away from the view (keeping the valley to the left). The tracks then emerges from the bush to cut across a rock shelf and into the scrub again. Once in the gully the track turns left to climb down the 'V' in the rock. At the bottom of the climb the walk heads right under the now obvious sandstone cave. The walk continues following the base of this cliff line along a fairly clear track passing several interesting sandstone overhangs. Soon the track comes to a large overhang and fire circle at Attic camping cave.

Attic Cave

Attic Cave, near Pisgah Rock in the lower blue mountains is a large sandstone overhang. The cave has been used by walkers as an overnight camp for many decades. The cave could comfortably sleep about 5 people. There is a log book in a tin cake box on the rock shelf, making for some interesting reading, and awaiting your story. There is a fire circle, and the cave is reasonably well protected from the weather. The name Attic Cave is said to have come from the hole, a shelf, in the top of the cave, forming an attic.

Maps for the Attic Cave 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.

Penrith	1:25 000 Map Series	90303N PENRITH	NSW-90303N
Penrith	1:100 000 Map Series	9030 PENRITH	9030

Cross sectional view of the Attic Cave bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Attic Cave

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	2 km
		Time	1 Hr
		.
Grade 5/6 Experienced only	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Very steep and difficult scrambles (5/6)
		Quality of track	Rough unclear track (5/6)
		Signs	No directional signs (5/6)
		Experience Required	Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6)
		Weather	Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)
		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 760m of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps, whilst the remaining 250m is very steep with difficult rock scrambles.

Quality of track

Around 760m of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail, whilst the remaining 250m follows a rough unclear track.

Signs

Around 760m of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 250m Has no directional signs.

Experience Required

Around 760m of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 250m requires a leader a with moderate level of bushwalking experience.

weather

Around 760m of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 250m is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.

Infrastructure

Around 760m of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 250m has no facilities provided.

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Attic Cave walk.

Pisgah Rock

1.6 km Return, 45 mins

Starting at the signposted car park, this walk mostly follows an old management trail through the She Oak forest. The walk then brings you to a rock platform on a high cliff top, with fantastic views right up the middle of Erskine Creek gorge. There are also views up Lincoln Creek and further down

Total climbing: 43m

Moderate track

Erskine Creek via Pisgah Rock

2.8 km Return, 3 hrs

This walk takes a steep climb down from Pisgah Rock to the Junction of Erskine and Lincoln Creeks. There are optional side trips to a rock platform further downstream, or to the campsite just up from the junction (you can make a weekend of the walk). This remote Creek junction is a lovely spot to r

Total climbing: 261m

Very experienced only

Dadder Cave

6 km Return, 4 hrs

A great day or overnight walk along Erskine Creek to the Dadder Camping Cave. This cave has a long history of use for overnight camps. The lovely Erskine Creek provides plenty of opportunities to cool the feet down. The climb down to Erskine Creek is steep, and the walk along the banks of Erskine

Total climbing: 375m

Very experienced only

Erskine Creek via Pisgah Rock and Jack Evans

7.1 km Circuit, 4 hrs 30 mins

This walk visits some great lookouts and explores the lower section of Erskine Creek. Most of the walk along Erskine Creek is off track and the bush is quite thick in places. A great walk for people wanting to explore a remote area of the lower Blue Mountains National Park. You could make this an

Total climbing: 421m

Very experienced only

Dadder Cave and Jack Evans track

10.3 km Circuit, 2 Days

This fairly short overnight walk is a great way to explore Erskine Creek. The walking along Erskine creek is mostly off track, and is through thick scrub in places. Although this walk could be done in a day, an overnight walk gives more time to explore the creek and enjoy the caves in the area.

Total climbing: 535m

Very experienced only

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Attic Cave walk.

Machins Crater

466 m Return, 15 mins

This short walk follows a fairly faint track down into the Machins Crater. The crater was created about 200 million years ago by a volcanic explosion. Today the hole is a very lush environment with a steep sided valley, and an old dam wall. An enjoyable short walk.

Total climbing: 29m

Moderate track

Erskine Lookout

648 m Return, 20 mins

This short walk enjoys sculptured sandstone rocks, grass trees, wildflowers and great views of Erskine Gorge. The walk starts from the car park at the end of Nepean Lookout fire trail and heads past some information signs before coming to this unfenced informal lookout on the Jack Evans track. Gre

Total climbing: 30m

Moderate track

Jack Evans track to Erskine Creek

2.6 km Return, 2 hrs

This walk explores the Jack Evans Track, from the end of Nepean Lookout fire trail to Erskine Creek. The walk boasts fantastic rock formations, great views, grass trees and mosses, and gets up close to Erskine Creek. Erskine Creek is a great place to rest, and wet the toes, before the climb back up

Total climbing: 241m

Experienced only

Nepean Lookout

1.3 km Return, 30 mins

This walk is along the old road, which is now a management trail, making navigation easy. The walk brings you to the top of the Nepean Gorge escarpment, with great views up and down the gorge. This is a short walk after a fairly long drive, but if you are in the area, it is well worth getting the c

Total climbing: 41m

Moderate track

The Oaks Picnic area to Woodford Station

18.1 km One way, 7 hrs

The Oaks Picnic Area is the starting point for this long walk across the ridge line linking to Woodford. The Oaks Fire Trail winds its way over the hills, with many views into the surrounding valleys and bush land. This is a great walk to start extending your walking distance and stamina, while enjo

Total climbing: 800m

Hard track

Euroka to Red Hands Cave

4.3 km One way, 1 hr 45 mins

The walk to Red Hands Caves is quite a heritage walk, with both Indigenous art and grinding grooves to see. The walk leaves Euroka camping area and heads down through the valleys, passing the heritage areas. The walk finishes at Red Hands Cave picnic area, a perfect spot for lunch. As an alternative

Total climbing: 269m

Experienced only

Euroka Nepean River Circuit

2.8 km Circuit, 1 hr 15 mins

This circuit walk starts from the Euroka Clearing and follows a track beside Euroka Creek then fairly steeply to the Nepean River. The river is a great spot to enjoy the sandy bank, large surrounding hills and the passing boats. The walk returns along Bennetts Ridge trail. The wildfowers in spring

Total climbing: 156m

Hard track

Red Hands Cave and Axe Grinding Tour

4.1 km Circuit, 2 hrs

This is a cultural walk with two significant sites being visited along the way. The walk leaves the quiet Red Hands Cave picnic area and winds down the valley to the Axe Grinding Grooves, once used by Indigenous Australians. The track then follows Campfire Creek up to Red Hands Caves and visits the

Total climbing: 211m

Moderate track

Red Hands Cave

1 km Return, 30 mins

Red Hands Cave is a small sandstone overhang cave that showcases a number of very clear hand stencillings. The site is protected with an obtrusive cage to keep would-be vandals out. There are a number of signs explaining the history and some artifacts found in the area. The walk is enjoyable and

Total climbing: 51m

Moderate track

Tunnel View Lookout

512 m Return, 30 mins

Tunnel View Lookout walk is a short walk along a well-maintained management trail. At the end of the wide trail is a short narrow track leading to a large mostly flat rock platform with great views. On the far side of the gorge you can just see where train tunnel goes through the hill, you can't see

Total climbing: 9m

Hard track

Red Hands Cave Circuit from Campfire Creek

8.3 km Circuit, 3 hrs 45 mins

This walk takes the lovely track up through Red Hands Gully to the amazing hand painting of Red Hands Caves. This historic and cultural feature is complemented by the Grinding Grooves along Campfire Creek. An excellent walk through some beautiful bush. There is a picnic area halfway - a great spot t

Total climbing: 397m

Hard track

Red Hands Cave Circuit via Campfire Creek

8.4 km Circuit, 3 hrs 45 mins

This is a scenic and rather cultural walk, with two significant Indigenous sites along the way. The walk sets out from Campfire Creek car park following the creek of similar name to the amazing Red Hands Caves. The second site is the grinding grooves, which are passed on the return to the car park a

Total climbing: 396m

Experienced only

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Attic Cave walk starts and ends at the Pisgah Rock track head (gps: -33.828459, 150.57170)

Car. A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.<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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