Pierces Pass to Blue Gum Forest
Download & Print Map and Notes
6 hrs 30 mins
14 km Return
812 m
Experienced only
Pierces Pass
Pierces Pass, Blue Mountains NP, is a passage through the cliffs from the Bells Line of Road. The pass is popular with rock climbers, who use it as an access track to the cliffs.
(0km) Pierces Pass car park → Int. Pierces Pass and Grose River Tracks
2.1 km
1 hr 23 mins
22m
-496m
Hard track
From the car park, this walk heads down the hill tending right, to follow the creek. The track then follows the line of the creek, which drops away quickly before the track winds under a rocky outcrop. The track then winds to pass a tree which ends with a large step at the roots of the upturned tree, marking the intersection.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads down the hill, with the creek below on the right. The track becomes lighter as the rainforest vegetation gives way, and the track leads away from the cliff lines of Pierces Pass. The track then descends across the hillside for approximately 400m to tend right onto a narrowing spur line. The track is quite steep in places as it makes its way down to the creek flats. From where the track meets the creek flats, the walk then leads through the low vegetation to the creek. The track crosses the creek to head downstream for approximately 20m, then climbs off the creek flats and coming to an intersection with signposts pointing to ‘Burra Korain, Victoria Falls’ and ‘Acacia Flats’.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads down the hill, with the creek below on the right. The track becomes lighter as the rainforest vegetation gives way, and the track leads away from the cliff lines of Pierces Pass. The track then descends across the hillside for approximately 400m to tend right onto a narrowing spur line. The track is quite steep in places as it makes its way down to the creek flats. From where the track meets the creek flats, the walk then leads through the low vegetation to the creek. The track crosses the creek to head downstream for approximately 20m, then climbs off the creek flats and coming to an intersection with signposts pointing to ‘Burra Korain, Victoria Falls’ and ‘Acacia Flats’.
(2.12km) Int. Pierces Pass and Grose River Tracks → Blue Gum Forest intersection
4.9 km
1 hr 34 mins
110m
-184m
Experienced only
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the sign to ‘Acacia Flats’[1], keeping the creek below on the left. The track continues for approximately 500m, undulating across the steep hillside. The terrain then begins to flatten out as the track leads onto a creek flat area. After a short while, a clearing with a fireplace is passed, on your right. The track continues to undulate along the hillside, with the creek to the left, for approximately 2km, to an area where the creek flats broaden. The track passes some more clearings with fire places, coming to a sign marked ‘Blue Gum Forest’. The track passes this sign and continues for approximately 500m to a well-signed intersection.
Blue Gum Forest
Blue Gum Forest, Blue Mountains NP, is a large stand of Eucalyptus deanei trees on the junction of the Grose River and Govetts Creek. The magnificent trees stand tall on the flats with low vegetation beneath. The trees of Blue Gum Forest represent the protection efforts of Myles Dunphy, who lead a group to raise the 130 pounds required to buy the Blue Gum Forest – quite a sum in 1931 during the depression – and save it from being cleared. The group were successful and the Blue Gum Forest is now protected within the Blue Mountains National Park. More info.
(7.02km) Blue Gum Forest intersection → Acacia Flats Camping Ground
610 m
10 mins
4m
-4m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the sign ‘Camping only at Acacia Flats’, heading downstream. The track tends right, away from the Grose River and towards the hills on the right. The walk then heads downhill and across a small creek, after which it meanders for approximately 100m before arriving at Acacia Flats camping area. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Continue straight.
Acacia Flats Camping Ground
Acacia Flats Camping Ground, Blue Mountains NP, is situated on the floor of the Grose Valley between Perrys Lookdown and Lockley Pylon. The camp ground is approximately 50m from Govetts Creek and approximately 500m upstream from Blue Gum Forest. Acacia Flats Camping Ground is appropriately named after the dense population of Acacias found in this area. Acacia Flats is a wonderful area to camp with tall shady Blue Gums and level grass clearings which make for a great place to pitch a tent. There is a pit toilet and sitting logs to make camping more comfortable, and plenty of room for large groups. Water is available from Govetts Creek (treat before drinking).
(7.02km) Blue Gum Forest intersection → Perry’s Lookdown car park and camping area
2.1 km
1 hr 36 mins
634m
-22m
Hard track
Veer right: From the intersection, the walk follows the ‘Perrys Lookdown Track’ sign up the hill. The track heads uphill out of Blue Gum Forest, before tending right to more steeply climb the hill. As the track tends right, it heads up to the spur. When the track joins the spur, it turns left and heads up and continues winding for some time. The track continues up the spur to the cliffline, where it meets a set of steps and handrails. The walk climbs up large, steep steps, winding up through the pass to a memorial lookout at the top of the cliff.
Continue straight: From Memorial Lookout, the walk climbs the stairs, keeping the valley on the right, and then contours left around the hill. The track descends slightly before crossing a bridge, and then turns right before leading up the steps to the signposted intersection.
Turn sharp left: From the intersection, the walk follows the railed stairs up the hill for a short time until coming to Perry’s Lookdown – the lookout on the right.
Continue straight: From the lookout, the walk leads up the stairs (leaving the valley behind) to the dirt road and car park.
Continue straight: From Memorial Lookout, the walk climbs the stairs, keeping the valley on the right, and then contours left around the hill. The track descends slightly before crossing a bridge, and then turns right before leading up the steps to the signposted intersection.
Turn sharp left: From the intersection, the walk follows the railed stairs up the hill for a short time until coming to Perry’s Lookdown – the lookout on the right.
Continue straight: From the lookout, the walk leads up the stairs (leaving the valley behind) to the dirt road and car park.
Maps for the Pierces Pass to Blue Gum Forest 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.
| 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 Pierces Pass to Blue Gum Forest bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Pierces Pass to Blue Gum Forest
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 | 14 km | ||
| Time | 6 hrs 30 mins | ||
| . | |||
| Grade 5/6 Experienced only |
AS 2156.1 | Gradient | Very steep (4/6) |
| Quality of track | Rough unclear track (5/6) | ||
| Signs | Directional signs along the way (3/6) | ||
| Experience Required | Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6) | ||
| Weather | Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6) | ||
| 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
Around 7km of this walk is very steep, whilst the remaining 450m has short steep hills.
Quality of track
4.9km of this walk follows a rough unclear track and another 1.7km follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely. The remaining (450m) follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.
Signs
Around 4.9km of this walk is clearly signposted, whilst the remaining 2.1km has directional signs at most intersection.
Experience Required
Around 5km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 1.7km requires some bushwalking experience.
weather
This whole walk, 7km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
Around 7km of this walk has limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged), whilst the remaining 450m is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).
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Plan your trip to and from the walk here
The Pierces Pass to Blue Gum Forest walk starts and ends at the Pierces Pass car park (gps: -33.570115, 150.33863)Your main transport option to Pierces Pass car park is by;
Car. A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.(get details)
Short URL = http://wild.tl/pptbgf
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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