McKeowns Valley Circuit
Download & Print Map and Notes
2 hrs
3.5 km Circuit
347 m
Hard track
(0km) Caves House → Carlotta Arch Lookout
410 m
12 mins
74m
-21m
Moderate track
From the opposite side of the Jenolan Caves Road from Caves House[1], this walk follows the ‘Six Foot Track’ sign up the concrete steps[2]. The walk then follows the stone footpath up the side of the valley for about 80m to pass the ‘Southside Show Caves’ information sign[3] then just over 30m later to the ‘Grand Arch’ information sign (and view of the Arch)[4]. The walk continues fairly gently up the path for 100m (as it bends right) to find ‘Caves House’ information sign[5]. The path soon starts leading much more steeply up as it begins to Zig Zag up past a seat[6] and more views down to caves house[7] for 150m beside the limestone cliffs[8]. At the top of this climb the path leads over a small small rise then gently down to a fenced lookout beside ‘Carlotta Arch’[9][10].
(0.41km) Top of Carlotta Arch Steps → Bottom of Carlotta Arch Steps
30 m
1 mins
1m
0m
Moderate track
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk goes down the stairs until coming to the entrance of the cave. On the way, this walk goes under the towering Carlotta’s Arch. The lookout has great views of the valley and Blue Lake. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn right.
(0.41km) Carlotta Arch Lookout → Int of Mckeowns Valley Bushtrack and Devils Coachhouse Trail
270 m
8 mins
8m
-45m
Hard track
Continue straight: From the ‘Carlotta Arch’[11][12] lookout, this walk follows the gravel path[13] (past the top of the steps) gently uphill (initially keeping the arch to your right) a short distance to an intersection with the sign posted ‘Six Foot Track’ (on your right), where another sign points back to ‘Caves House’[14].
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads along the gravel footpath until coming to an intersection with a track signposted as the way to the ‘Devil’s Coachhouse’.
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads off the gravel footpath and goes down the stairs, zigzagging down the hill. The walk then crosses a bridge over the Jenolan River and comes to intersection with a bush track, marked by a ‘Devil’s Coachhouse’ sign.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads along the gravel footpath until coming to an intersection with a track signposted as the way to the ‘Devil’s Coachhouse’.
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads off the gravel footpath and goes down the stairs, zigzagging down the hill. The walk then crosses a bridge over the Jenolan River and comes to intersection with a bush track, marked by a ‘Devil’s Coachhouse’ sign.
(0.68km) Int of Mckeowns Valley Bushtrack and Devils Coachhouse Trail → McKeowns Valley Campsite
840 m
19 mins
35m
-41m
Easy track
Turn left : From the intersection, this walk heads alongside the Jenolan River (left of the track). The track crosses the river at several points using metal bridges. (Watch out for stinging nettles along this part of the track.) Continuing north along the gravel footpath, the walk slowly winds to reach an electric fence, then heads through the grass clearings signposted as the ‘Old Playing Field’. The walk comes to a group of buildings and an intersection with a management trail (which crosses the Jenolan River).
(1.53km) McKeown’s Valley Campsite → McKeown’s Valley Lookdown
810 m
28 mins
183m
-67m
Moderate track
Turn left: From the campground, this walk crosses the Jenolan River and begins to zigzag up the hill to the south-west. This continues to the top of the hill, where the trail passes a large gate[15] and comes out next to a dirt road and several green buildings. At this point, the track heads south along the dirt road for about 20m, before coming to an intersection with a management trail, where there is a sign pointing towards ‘Caves House’[16].
(2.33km) McKeowns Valley Lookdown → Carlotta Carpark Intersection
600 m
19 mins
18m
-92m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads down the hill, following the ‘Caves House’ sign. The track winds past several private residences and soon heads uphill, coming near a dirt road (Burma Rd). The track turns left and begins to to go down the hill, soon coming to a great informal viewing point which looks over the valley and the Six Foot Track. At this point, the track begins to zigzag down the hill and, at several points, goes past Jenolan Caves Rd. In time, the track comes to a small picnic area and intersection, with a large car park off to the right.
(2.93km) Carlotta Carpark Intersection → Int of Carlotta and Mckeowns Valley Tracks
40 m
1 mins
0m
-7m
Easy track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads downhill along the gravel footpath. Shortly after passing the entrance to a cave (on the right), the track comes to an intersection with a set of stairs.
(2.96km) Int of Carlotta and Mckeown’s Valley Tracks → Caves House
490 m
13 mins
29m
-74m
Moderate track
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk heads along the gravel footpath until coming to an intersection with a track signposted as the ‘Six Foot Track’.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Caves House’ sign[17] gently downhill along the gravel path a short distance to an intersection and fenced lookout near ‘Carlotta Arch’[18][19] (on your left).
Continue straight: From the fenced lookout near ‘Carlotta Arch’[20][21], this walk follows the ‘Caves House’ sign gently uphill along the stone path[22] with handrail. The path leads over a small rise to a view into another valley. Here the path begins to zig zag fairly steeply downhill for 150m beside the limestone cliffs[23] passing views down to Caves House[24], past a bench seat[25] to a ‘Caves House’ information sign[26]. The path continues more gently downhill for another 100m past the ‘Grand Arch’ information sign (and view of the Arch)[27] then just over 30m later to the ‘Southside Show Caves’ information sign[28]. The path continues down the side of the valley for another 80m to head down some concrete steps to the side of Jenolan Caves Road[29], opposite Caves House[30], where a ‘Six Foot Track’ sign points up the steps[31]. The official end of the Six Foot Track.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Caves House’ sign[17] gently downhill along the gravel path a short distance to an intersection and fenced lookout near ‘Carlotta Arch’[18][19] (on your left).
Continue straight: From the fenced lookout near ‘Carlotta Arch’[20][21], this walk follows the ‘Caves House’ sign gently uphill along the stone path[22] with handrail. The path leads over a small rise to a view into another valley. Here the path begins to zig zag fairly steeply downhill for 150m beside the limestone cliffs[23] passing views down to Caves House[24], past a bench seat[25] to a ‘Caves House’ information sign[26]. The path continues more gently downhill for another 100m past the ‘Grand Arch’ information sign (and view of the Arch)[27] then just over 30m later to the ‘Southside Show Caves’ information sign[28]. The path continues down the side of the valley for another 80m to head down some concrete steps to the side of Jenolan Caves Road[29], opposite Caves House[30], where a ‘Six Foot Track’ sign points up the steps[31]. The official end of the Six Foot Track.
Maps for the McKeowns Valley 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.
| Six Foot Track | 1:50 000 Map Series | Six Foot Track | NSW-six-foot-track |
| Jenolan | 1:25 000 Map Series | 89303N JENOLAN | NSW-89303N |
| Katoomba | 1:100 000 Map Series | 8930 KATOOMBA | 8930 |
Cross sectional view of the McKeowns Valley Circuit bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the McKeowns Valley 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.
| Length | 3.5 km | ||
| Time | 2 hrs | ||
| . | |||
| Grade 4/6 Hard track |
AS 2156.1 | Gradient | Very steep (4/6) |
| Quality of track | Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6) | ||
| Signs | Clearly signposted (1/6) | ||
| Experience Required | Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6) | ||
| 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
2.2km of this walk has short steep hills and another 990m is flat with no steps. Whilst another 190m is very steep and the remaining 35m has gentle hills with occasional steps.
Quality of track
Around 2.6km of this walk follows a smooth and hardened path, whilst the remaining 840m follows a clear and well formed track or trail.
Signs
This whole walk, 3.5km is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
Around 3.3km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 190m requires some bushwalking experience.
weather
This whole walk, 3.5km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
This whole walk, 3.5km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).
Similar walks
828 m Return
30 mins
Moderate track
2.2 km Return
1 hr 9 mins
Moderate track
3.1 km Return
1 hr 30 mins
Hard track
4.6 km One way
2 hrs
Hard track
44.8 km One way
3 Days
Hard track
44.8 km One way
2 Days
Hard track
Other Nearby walks
2.6 km Circuit
1 hr 30 mins
Moderate track
12.6 km Return
5 hrs 30 mins
Hard track
20 km Return
7 hrs
Moderate track
4.2 km Return
1 hr 45 mins
Hard track
11.7 km Return
8 hrs 45 mins
Experienced only
7.9 km Return
5 hrs
Hard track
29.2 km One way
2 Days
Experienced only
29.3 km One way
3 Days
Experienced only
5.9 km Circuit
3 hrs 30 mins
Hard track
6.7 km Return
4 hrs 30 mins
Moderate track
16.2 km Return
11 hrs
Experienced only
12.4 km Return
7 hrs 30 mins
Hard track
Plan your trip to and from the walk here
The McKeowns Valley Circuit walk starts and ends at the Caves House (gps: -33.820325, 150.02117)Your main transport option to Caves House is by;
Car. There is free parking available.(get details)
Short URL = http://wild.tl/mvc
Gallery images
There are other downloads I am still working on.
You will probably need to login to access these — still all free.
* KML (google earth file)
* GPX (GPS file)
Special Maps/ brochures
* A3 topo maps
* PDF with Lands Topo map base
* PDF with arial image (and map overlay)
I wanted to get the main site live first, this extra stuff will come in time.
Happy walking
Matt 🙂
Comments