Baltzer Lookout, Hanging Rock

Download & Print Map and Notes

3 hrs 30 mins

7.6 km Return

266 m

Hard track

This walk to Baltzer Lookout rewards you with excellent scenery and a view over the stunning Hanging Rock (aka the Finger). The track is mainly management trail, and would be great on a mountain bike (to the end of the management trail). The large cliff edges are unfenced and quite exposed, so do take care. Although short and relatively unchanging in scenery, the walk to Baltzer Lookout is well worth it.
Diversion in place: Walk longer then stated

Sunset from Baltzer Lookout service trail

(0km) Baltzer Lookout car park → Baltzer Lookout cul-de-sac

3.5 km

1 hr 8 mins climb

75m

-140m Moderate track

From the car park, the walk passes around a gate and follows the management trail. The management trail winds through the bush for some time before arriving at a large clearing with a fence and warning/danger sign. There is a great view from this point.

(4km) Baltzer Lookout cul-de-sac → Baltzer Lookout

240 m

7 mins

12m

-39m Hard track

Continue straight: From the clearing, the walk heads up past the 'Warning' sign to wind around a metal fence. The track passes a rocky knoll and then comes down to a small clearing where it turns left to follow the clifftop down the hill for approximately 80m. The track comes to Baltzer Lookout on the cliff edge.

Baltzer lookout

Baltzer Lookout, Blue Mountains NP, is the best place for viewing and accessing Hanging Rock. It also offers spectacular views over the Grose Valley. The lookout is named after W.J. Baltzer, who was part of a group created by Myles J Dunphy to recommended that the Grose Valley become a wildlife sanctuary, in 1933. The Grose Valley and much of the surrounding area is now protected. More info.

Hanging Rock

Hanging Rock, Blue Mountains NP, sits high on the southern side of Grose Valley. It is a spectacular example of 'geological time is now', with this large spire of sandstone precariously hanging out from the cliff. The cliff is popular with rock climbers and other recreationists, while walkers can best view Hanging Rock from Baltzer Lookout.

Maps for the Baltzer Lookout, Hanging Rock 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 Baltzer Lookout, Hanging Rock bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Baltzer Lookout, Hanging Rock

Altitude analysis for Baltzer Lookout, Hanging Rock

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	7.6 km
		Time	3 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	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 3.5km of this walk has short steep hills, whilst the remaining 240m is very steep.

Quality of track

Around 3.5km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles, whilst the remaining 240m follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely.

Signs

Around 3.5km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 240m has minimal directional signs.

Experience Required

Around 3.5km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 240m requires some bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 3.8km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

Around 3.5km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 240m has limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged).

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Baltzer Lookout, Hanging Rock walk.

Pulpit Rock, Boyd Beach to Govetts Leap Lookout

4.2 km One way, 2 hrs 30 mins

This section of the Cliff Top Track takes in the beautiful scenery east of Blackheath. The track leaves Pulpit Rock car park and drops into many lookouts with views over waterfalls and the Grose Valley. The track heads out to the secluded creek bank of Boyd Beach, and then continues, back along the

Total climbing: 445m

Hard track

Pulpit Rock car park to lower Lookout

816 m Return, 45 mins

This walk takes in the fabulous views across the Grose Valley. It covers the combination of the upper lookout, providing the easiest access, the middle lookout, and the lower lookout, which involves many more stairs. The upper lookout gives the best views across the valley, while the middle lookout

Total climbing: 145m

Hard track

Pulpit Rock car park to Middle Lookout

748 m Return, 30 mins

This track meanders down from the car park to take in the stunning views of the Grose Valley. The track passes a picnic shelter on its way to the upper and middle lookouts of Pulpit Rock (there is a lower lookout, with many more steps). The lookouts provide great views across the valley.

Total climbing: 96m

Moderate track

Pulpit Rock car park to Top Lookout

630 m Return, 30 mins

This walk follows a distinct track to the top lookout, the easiest of the three lookouts at Pulpit Rocks to visit. The track passes a picnic shelter on the way down from the car park. The lookout has stunning views across the Grose valley, and down onto Pulpit Rock.

Total climbing: 50m

Moderate track

Pulpit Rock to Evans Lookout Cliff Top Track

6.6 km One way, 4 hrs 15 mins

The Cliff Top Track is one of the longer walks near Blackheath, and has constant views. The track follows the rim of the Grose Valley, with a side trip to Boyds Beach, and passes numerous lookouts with views of the Grose Valley and it's waterfalls. This walk is an excellent one way trip from Pulpit

Total climbing: 619m

Hard track

Popes Glen, Pulpit Rock, Govetts Leap and Braeside Walk

13.6 km Circuit, 8 hrs

This large circuit walk, from Popes Glen to Pulpit Rock, Govetts leap and along the Braeside Track, passes some of the most magnificent scenery in this part of the Blue Mountains National Park. From little, hidden places, like Boyds Beach, to the stunning Bridle Veil Falls and Govetts Leap Lookout,

Total climbing: 1068m

Hard track

Cliff Top Track

3.2 km One way, 1 hr 45 mins

The Cliff Top Track is a breath-taking walk around the edge of the Grose Valley, between Govetts Leap and Evans lookouts. The many lookouts along this track show off the stunning Grose Valley. The track also showcases Govetts Leap from close up, at Barrows Lookout, and further away, from Govetts Lea

Total climbing: 224m

Hard track

Govetts Leap Falls (Bridal Veil Falls)

1.4 km Return, 1 Hr

This walks starts from the spectacular Govetts Leap Lookout and wanders along the cliff tops, before dropping through a creek, to reach the much smaller Barrow lookout, with equally spectacular views. Barrow lookout provides the bonus of clear views of Bridal Veil falls (Govetts Leap brook). You ca

Total climbing: 106m

Hard track

Govetts Leap Descent

1.2 km Return, 1 hr 45 mins

Starting with spectacular views of Govetts Leap from Govetts Leap Lookout, this walk sweeps down to the base of the falls. The walk down is showered by drips from the moist moss hanging off the cliffs above. A spectacular track with equally awesome views across the Grose Valley, the walk is steep an

Total climbing: 366m

Hard track

Pulpit Rock Track

3.8 km One way, 2 hrs 30 mins

This walk takes you from Govetts Leap lookout, around the cliff tops, to Pulpit Rock lookout. The walk passes many lookouts, each giving their own unique perspective of the Grose Valley's dramatic cliff line and waterfalls. The walk down to the lower platform of Pulpit Rock is via a set of steep st

Total climbing: 506m

Hard track

George Phillips Lookout walk

588 m Return, 30 mins

On this short and easy walk, you will explore two lookouts with stunning views down the Grose Valley. Starting from the car park, you really should make the short side trip through the stone arch to Govetts Leap Lookout. The main walk follows the well-formed footpath through the bush up to the less

Total climbing: 18m

Very easy

Fairfax Heritage Circuit Track

2.4 km Circuit, 1 Hr

The Fairfax Track is an easy circuit walk that wanders through the forests behind the cliffs of the Grose Valley. The track passes George Phillips lookout, with its magnificent views over the Grose Valley. There are also similar views from the more popular Govetts Leap Lookout. The track has many b

Total climbing: 65m

Very easy

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Baltzer Lookout, Hanging Rock walk starts and ends at the Baltzer Lookout car park (gps: -33.609919, 150.29746)

Car. There is free parking available.<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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