Grand Canyon, Cliff Top and Pope’s Glen Track
Download & Print Map and Notes
7 hrs 30 mins
15.6 km Circuit
913 m
Hard track
(0km) Blackheath Station → Int. Boreas St and Braeside St
1.5 km
26 mins
19m
-37m
Moderate track
From the top of the station steps, this walk heads towards the Great Western Highway and Gardners Inn. The walk turns right down a flight of stairs, then turns left across the Great Western Highway at the pedestrian crossing.
Turn right: From the pedestrian crossing, this walk heads towards Gardners Inn, keeping the road to the right. The walk continues along the footpath, turning left opposite the Ivanhoe Hotel, onto Govetts Leap Rd. The walk continues down Govetts Leap Rd to the intersection with Prince Edward St.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads west along Govetts Leap Rd for a block, to the intersection with Boreas St. This walk turns right, down Boreas St to the intersection with Braeside St.
Turn right: From the pedestrian crossing, this walk heads towards Gardners Inn, keeping the road to the right. The walk continues along the footpath, turning left opposite the Ivanhoe Hotel, onto Govetts Leap Rd. The walk continues down Govetts Leap Rd to the intersection with Prince Edward St.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads west along Govetts Leap Rd for a block, to the intersection with Boreas St. This walk turns right, down Boreas St to the intersection with Braeside St.
(1.48km) Int. Boreas St and Braeside St → Neates Glen car park
3.3 km
1 hr 2 mins
63m
-102m
Moderate track
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the green signpost to ‘Braeside Walk’ along the houses on the right-hand of Braeside Street. This walk turns right at the ‘Braeside Walk’ sign. The walk continues for approximately 70m to the intersection with another service trail.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads down the management track, to the signposted intersection after a parking area on the left.
Veer right: From the ‘Braeside Walk’ signposted intersection, this walk leaves the ‘Braeside Walk’ sign behind on the left as it continues along the service trail towards a waterfall. The track quickly swings left, passing the waterfall (on the left of the track) and continuing up the hill for approximately 400m. The track then tends right for approximately 100m, where is passes a service trail (which heads north). This walk continues south for approximately 600m to a large intersection.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads towards the road, passing a house on the left. The walk continues along James Rd to then turn left onto Evans Lookout Rd. The road tends right, to then pass Victoria Rd on the right. Shortly after Victoria Rd, this walk comes to the Bush Rock Cafe (now closed) on the left.
Continue straight: From the Bush Rock Cafe(now closed), this walk heads along the road leaving the cafe behind on the left. The track continues down the road for a short time, passing Somerset Ave on the left, to then come to Neates Glen car park on the right.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads down the management track, to the signposted intersection after a parking area on the left.
Veer right: From the ‘Braeside Walk’ signposted intersection, this walk leaves the ‘Braeside Walk’ sign behind on the left as it continues along the service trail towards a waterfall. The track quickly swings left, passing the waterfall (on the left of the track) and continuing up the hill for approximately 400m. The track then tends right for approximately 100m, where is passes a service trail (which heads north). This walk continues south for approximately 600m to a large intersection.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads towards the road, passing a house on the left. The walk continues along James Rd to then turn left onto Evans Lookout Rd. The road tends right, to then pass Victoria Rd on the right. Shortly after Victoria Rd, this walk comes to the Bush Rock Cafe (now closed) on the left.
Continue straight: From the Bush Rock Cafe(now closed), this walk heads along the road leaving the cafe behind on the left. The track continues down the road for a short time, passing Somerset Ave on the left, to then come to Neates Glen car park on the right.
(4.77km) Neates Glen car park → Neates Glen car park sign
640 m
18 mins
13m
-151m
Moderate track
Veer right: From Neates Glen car park, this walk heads down the stairs following the ‘Grand Canyon Track’ signs. The track zigzags many times down the hillside, with the surrounding vegetation becoming more like a rainforest, before the track comes to a railing. From this railing, the track winds down more stairs to a second railing that crosses over a creek. The track continues to wind down the right side (with creek on the left) of the canyon. The track follows the creek down past a few mossy overhangs of rock to cross a boardwalk bridge before the canyon opens up. The canyon opens onto a densely vegetated area which leads the track to a creek crossing and a sign pointing back up to ‘Neates Glen carpark ‘.
Neates Glen
Neates Glen, Blue Mountains NP, is a deep little valley with a creek running through it. Neates Glen is part of the Grand Canyon Track and offers a nice sample of rainforest before entering the Grand Canyon itself.
(5.41km) Neates Glen car park sign → Rotunda
540 m
14 mins
31m
-53m
Hard track
Continue straight: From the sign, this walk heads away from the creek and car park, following a short section of a rock shelf to round the corner of the hill. The track contours around the hill for a little while passing under a few rock overhangs, before winding steeply down the hill into the canyon. The track heads down the cliffs by stairs to a signposted intersection in front of a sandy rock overhang, the Rotunda.
Rotunda
The Rotunda, Blue Mountains NP, is an area on Greaves Creek where the cliff has been carved out to form an overhang, over a sand beach within the Grand Canyon. The Rotunda is a great area for a rest and a snack, especially on a hot day.
(5.96km) Rotunda → Int. Grand Canyon and Rodriguez Pass Tracks
1.6 km
45 mins
116m
-192m
Hard track
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the sign to ‘Evans Lookout’, winding around the side of the canyon under the rock overhangs. The track soon passes through a small rockfall tunnel, and then passes behind a waterfall to continue around the railed canyon track for approximately 500m, coming to a railing bridge in front of another waterfall.
Continue straight: From the waterfall, this walk continues to contour around the canyon wall, keeping it on the right of the track. The track does so for quite some time before winding down deeper into the canyon after rounding a hill. The track winds down to a signposted intersection. From here, the track crosses the creek a few times before turning left at a rock overhang then crossing the creek again. The track quickly winds through the creek before passing over a bridge and continuing down the canyon. After approximately 200m, the track winds past a pool in the creek to then come to a signposted rock in a creek.
Continue straight: From the waterfall, this walk continues to contour around the canyon wall, keeping it on the right of the track. The track does so for quite some time before winding down deeper into the canyon after rounding a hill. The track winds down to a signposted intersection. From here, the track crosses the creek a few times before turning left at a rock overhang then crossing the creek again. The track quickly winds through the creek before passing over a bridge and continuing down the canyon. After approximately 200m, the track winds past a pool in the creek to then come to a signposted rock in a creek.
(7.54km) Int. Grand Canyon and Rodriguez Pass Tracks → Evans Lookout
1.1 km
38 mins
198m
-20m
Hard track
Veer left: From the intersection, the walk crosses the creek to another sign, pointing up the stairs to Evans Lookout. The walk climbs these stairs, up through the gap in the cliffs. The walk heads up the gully on stone cut steps which are soon met by a railing for a short while, and then up a set of wooden steps to the intersection with several signs.
Veer left: From the intersection, the walk follows the ‘Evans Lookout’ arrow[1] up the hill, weaving around boulders. The track then tends left before climbing up the stairs, through a pass in the rock, to Evans Lookout.
Veer left: From the intersection, the walk follows the ‘Evans Lookout’ arrow[1] up the hill, weaving around boulders. The track then tends left before climbing up the stairs, through a pass in the rock, to Evans Lookout.
Evans Lookout
Evans Lookout, Blue Mountains National Park, looks over the spectacular Grose Valley, with its deep gorges, green forest and prominent cliff lines. The fenced lookout is at the end of Evans Lookout Road. There is a rock shelter hut and toilets.
(8.64km) Evans Lookout → Cliff Top Service Trk
1.7 km
41 mins
122m
-86m
Moderate track
Turn sharp left: From the lookout, this walk heads up the hill towards a stone shelter. The track continues past the stone shelter and away from the cliff line, to soon arrive at the car park.
Continue straight: From the information sign, the walk heads around Evans Lookout car park to the toilets at the opposite end (away from the cliffs).
Turn right: From the car park, this walk heads past the toilets, away from the road and car park. The track descends the hill for approximately 100m to a flat area of approximately 60m. The track then becomes boardwalk for 30m, across a bridge in ‘Haywards Gully’. The track continues to undulate around the hillside for approximately 500m, then drops into a gully and climbs out again. The track tends left, out of the gully, to a bench seat on the left, the intersection. If the track begins to descend after the bench seat, you have gone too far.
Continue straight: From the information sign, the walk heads around Evans Lookout car park to the toilets at the opposite end (away from the cliffs).
Turn right: From the car park, this walk heads past the toilets, away from the road and car park. The track descends the hill for approximately 100m to a flat area of approximately 60m. The track then becomes boardwalk for 30m, across a bridge in ‘Haywards Gully’. The track continues to undulate around the hillside for approximately 500m, then drops into a gully and climbs out again. The track tends left, out of the gully, to a bench seat on the left, the intersection. If the track begins to descend after the bench seat, you have gone too far.
Hayward Gully
Hayward Gully, Blue Mountains National Park, is named after the first white man, William Hayward, to reach the floor of Govetts Gorge, in 1847. The area is a small gully along the Cliff Top Walk between Evans Lookout and Barrows Lookout. The gully is a quiet place, with a bench seat to enjoy the flora and fauna, and views through the trees into the Grose Valley.
(10.36km) Cliff Top Service Trk → Barrow Lookout
510 m
16 mins
3m
-79m
Moderate track
Veer right: From the bench seat, this walk heads down along the cliff top with the valley below on the right. The track descends some stairs for approximately 200m to flatten out for 100m or so before descending some more stairs, to ‘Barrow Lookout’.
Barrow Lookout
Barrow Lookout, Blue Mountains National Park, looks down to Govetts Leap falls and across the Grose Valley. The lookout is fenced and has a bench seat to rest.
Govetts Leap (falls)
Govetts Leap, is a waterfall in the Blue Mountains National Park. The fall is fed by Govetts Leap Brook which runs over the cliff into the Grose Valley. The falls are best viewed from Govetts Leap and Barrow Lookouts. Leap is a scots dialect word for cataract or waterfall.
(10.87km) Barrow Lookout → Govetts Leap Lookout
700 m
17 mins
84m
-22m
Hard track
Continue straight: From Barrow Lookout, this walk heads down the stairs towards Bridal Veil Falls and the creek in the valley. The walk soon comes to a signposted intersection, above cement stepping stones in the creek.
Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows the sign to ‘Govetts Leap Lookout’ down to the creek and across the cement steppingstones. The track then zigzags up to the top of the hill via stairs. From here, the walk continues down the hill for approximately 400m, keeping the valley to the right, coming to ‘Govetts Leap’ lookout.
Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows the sign to ‘Govetts Leap Lookout’ down to the creek and across the cement steppingstones. The track then zigzags up to the top of the hill via stairs. From here, the walk continues down the hill for approximately 400m, keeping the valley to the right, coming to ‘Govetts Leap’ lookout.
Govetts Leap Lookout
Govetts Leap Lookout is named after the first European man to have enjoyed this view, William Govett, as an assistant surveyor in June 1831. Govetts Leap Lookout offers wonderful views over the Grose Valley and the spectacular Bridal Falls. The word `leap` is an old Scottish word meaning waterfall. The lookout is easily accessed from the car park[4], there are also toilets[5] and picnic shelters[6] nearby.
(11.57km) Govetts Leap Lookout → Horseshoe Falls Lookout
340 m
11 mins
23m
-62m
Hard track
Continue straight: From Govetts Leap Lookout, this walk heads down the stairs at the edge of the lookout, keeping the valley to the right. The walk then crosses a grassed area to a well-signposted intersection on the edge of the tree line.
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk heads down some stairs, keeping the valley to the right. The walk turns right over a bridge, continuing around the hillside to drop down onto a viewing area and intersection.
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads down steep stairs, keeping the valley to the right. The track then winds along the cliff top until coming to an intersection, near Horseshoe Falls Lookout.
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk heads down some stairs, keeping the valley to the right. The walk turns right over a bridge, continuing around the hillside to drop down onto a viewing area and intersection.
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads down steep stairs, keeping the valley to the right. The track then winds along the cliff top until coming to an intersection, near Horseshoe Falls Lookout.
Horseshoe Falls Lookout
Horseshoe Falls Lookout, Blue Mountains National Park, is a small fenced lookout. There are views down to Horseshoe Falls and across the Grose Valley.
Horseshoe Falls
Horseshoe Falls, Blue Mountains National Park, are sourced by Popes Glen Creek which runs over the cliff into the Grose Valley. The Horseshoe Falls seem to be named after the shape of the valley into which they drop.
(11.91km) Horseshoe Falls Lookout → Int. Popes Glen Trk and Boyd Bch Trk
440 m
11 mins
31m
-41m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads along the cliff top towards Horseshoe Falls, with the valley below to the right. The track winds for some time around the hillside, to a lookout on the right, before continuing around to a railing some steep stairs. The stairs lead to Popes Glen Creek, where the track continues through the ferns to meet a street sign.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the sign to ‘Popes Glen’ keeping the creek below on the right. The track continues for approximately 100m, rising to the left of a prominent rock feature. The walk passes another track on the right (with access to the creek), then continues to rise past the rock feature (on the right – The rock feature has a trail to its top.) This walk continues from the rock feature, heading down the hill to a signposted intersection.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the sign to ‘Popes Glen’ keeping the creek below on the right. The track continues for approximately 100m, rising to the left of a prominent rock feature. The walk passes another track on the right (with access to the creek), then continues to rise past the rock feature (on the right – The rock feature has a trail to its top.) This walk continues from the rock feature, heading down the hill to a signposted intersection.
(12.35km) Int. Popes Glen Trk and Boyd Bch Trk → Boyd Beach
40 m
1 mins
0m
-3m
Moderate track
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads down the hill following the ‘Boyds Beach’ sign (under the bush). The walk winds down the rocky steps for approximately 40m to Boyd Beach. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Continue straight.
Boyd Beach
Boyd Beach, Blue Mountains National Park, is a small sandy bank on Popes Glen Creek. The beach is a quiet spot with nice ferns and shade. The beach is a short distance from the Popes Glen track.
(12.35km) Int. Popes Glen Trk and Boyd Bch Trk → Int. Popes Glen Trk and Dell St
2.1 km
49 mins
145m
-48m
Moderate track
Turn left : From the intersection, this walk heads up the hill, following the arrow on the sign pointing to ‘Blackheath’. The track continues above the creek (on the right) for some time, then crosses a bridge so that the creek is now on the left. The walk crosses a second bridge, then continues for some time up a rocky hill to an intersection below power lines, with a bridge below on the right.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads up the hill, keeping the creek below on the right. The walk soon crosses the creek at a bridge, continuing along the other side to a small waterfall (on the left). The track then continues up the hill for for a short time, passing an intersection (with access tracks to Clarence Rd). The track continues to head up the hill for approximately 300m to the intersection with Dell St.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads up the hill, keeping the creek below on the right. The walk soon crosses the creek at a bridge, continuing along the other side to a small waterfall (on the left). The track then continues up the hill for for a short time, passing an intersection (with access tracks to Clarence Rd). The track continues to head up the hill for approximately 300m to the intersection with Dell St.
(14.47km) Int. Pope’s Glen Trk and Dell St → Blackheath Station
1.2 km
26 mins
65m
-27m
Moderate track
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads down Dell St, keeping the bush to the left of the road and houses to the right. The walk soon passes Cleopatra St on the right and continues along Dell St to the intersection with Gipps Lane, on the right (where Dell St changes name to Wills St).
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads along Gipps Lane, passing a large wooden house to the right of the road. The road tends left onto Robertson Lane which then becomes Wills St. The walk follows Wills Street for sometime to turn left onto Inconstant St and then right onto Gardiner Cres. Gardiner Cres is followed to the Great Western Highway, where there is a petrol station on the left. From here, this walk turns left to follow the Great Western Highway, keeping the petrol station on the left, as the walk heads towards the Gardners Inn pub. This walk continues to the pedestrian crossing, opposite Blackheath Station steps.
Turn right: From the pedestrian crossing, this walk crosses the Great Western Highway to turn right up the covered station steps. The walk follows the railway bridge to the top of the station staircase.
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads along Gipps Lane, passing a large wooden house to the right of the road. The road tends left onto Robertson Lane which then becomes Wills St. The walk follows Wills Street for sometime to turn left onto Inconstant St and then right onto Gardiner Cres. Gardiner Cres is followed to the Great Western Highway, where there is a petrol station on the left. From here, this walk turns left to follow the Great Western Highway, keeping the petrol station on the left, as the walk heads towards the Gardners Inn pub. This walk continues to the pedestrian crossing, opposite Blackheath Station steps.
Turn right: From the pedestrian crossing, this walk crosses the Great Western Highway to turn right up the covered station steps. The walk follows the railway bridge to the top of the station staircase.
Maps for the Grand Canyon, Cliff Top and Pope’s Glen Track 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 |
| Mount Wilson | 1:25 000 Map Series | 89301N MOUNT WILSON | NSW-89301N |
| Katoomba | 1:100 000 Map Series | 8930 KATOOMBA | 8930 |
Cross sectional view of the Grand Canyon, Cliff Top and Pope’s Glen Track bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Grand Canyon, Cliff Top and Pope’s Glen Track
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 | 15.6 km | ||
| Time | 7 hrs 30 mins | ||
| . | |||
| Grade 4/6 Hard track |
AS 2156.1 | Gradient | Very steep (4/6) |
| Quality of track | Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6) | ||
| Signs | Minimal directional signs (4/6) | ||
| Experience Required | Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6) | ||
| 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
7km of this walk has short steep hills and another 4km is very steep. Whilst another 2.8km is flat with no steps and the remaining 2.1km has gentle hills with occasional steps.
Quality of track
9km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and another 3.2km follows a smooth and hardened path. Whilst another 2.4km follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely and the remaining 1.3km follows a clear and well formed track or trail.
Signs
8km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection and another 4.3km is clearly signposted. The remaining (3.2km) has minimal directional signs.
Experience Required
Around 12km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 3.4km requires some bushwalking experience.
weather
Around 15km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 850m is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.
Infrastructure
8km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced) and another 4.9km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats). The remaining (2.8km) has limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged).
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Plan your trip to and from the walk here
The Grand Canyon, Cliff Top and Pope’s Glen Track walk starts and ends at the Blackheath Station (gps: -33.633876, 150.2844)Your transport options to Blackheath Station are by;
Train. (get details)
Car. There is free parking available.(get details)
Short URL = http://wild.tl/gcctapgt
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 🙂
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