Devil's Hole Trail

Download & Print Map and Notes

3 hrs 30 mins

7 km One way

572 m

Very experienced only

Enjoying a variety of different environments, Devil's Hole trail descends into the valley below Katoomba via the Six Foot Track, before rising up through the difficult, and often slippery, Devil's Hole. This is definitely one of the more difficult trails in the area. Walkers can enjoy great views from the top of the valley at both ends of the walk, as well as an extremely pretty creek environment as the track passes through Nellie's Glen.

* 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.

As the track gets closer to the cliffs it becomes quite dark

(0km) Int of Farnells Rd and Cliff Track → Intersection of Cliff Track and Therabulat Lookout Track

230 m

5 mins

-16m Moderate track

From the intersection of Farnells Rd and the bush track marked by the signpost saying 'Cliff Track' (approximately 30m west of the end of Stuarts Rd), this walk heads north down the bush track until coming to an intersection with another bush track. This corner is marked by a large cairn and an orange banner wrapped around the tree on the corner.

(0km) Intersection of Cliff Track and Therabulat Lookout Track → Therabulat Lookout

140 m

5 mins

-49m Moderate track

Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads west along the bush track until coming to a lookout over the valley, which has great views to the south and south-west. Railings have been installed at this lookout. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn sharp left.

(0km) Intersection of Cliff Track and Therabulat Lookout Track → Int of Cliff Track and Norths Lookout Trail

790 m

25 mins

86m

-94m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads south-east along the flat bush track. As the walk turns to the west and crosses a small creek using a bridge, the track begins to climb steadily around the side of the hill. This continues until reaching an intersection with a wide track, marked by a signpost saying 'Bonnie Doon Fauna Study Being Conducted at this Site'.

(1km) Int of 6 Foot Track and Norths Lookout Trail → Norths Lookout

60 m

2 mins

-15m Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the track downhill towards the open views[1]. After about 50m the track comes to the fenced[2] and signposted 'Norths Lookout'[3] with great views over Nellie's Glen and into the valley[4]. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Continue straight.

(1km) Int of Cliff Track and Norths Lookout Trail → Int of 6 Foot Track and Norths Lookout Trail

150 m

4 mins

17m

-1m Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection[5], this walk follows the clear track gently uphill, keeping the main views to your left. The track leads up a series of timber steps for just shy of 150m to then head through a gap in large metal gate[6]. Here the track leads to a clear three way intersection with a wide management trail marked with several 'Six Foot Track' signposts[7].

(1km) Int of Six Foot Track and Norths Lookout Trail → Int at Lower Nellies Glen

1.6 km

44 mins

26m

-337m Hard track

Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Six Foot Track' sign[8], fairly steeply down the management trail past the 'Nellies Glen' metal plaque[9] and, about 10m later, past the timber 'Nellies Glen' sign. After another 80m, the trail narrows and this walk turns left to head through the green timber chicane with the 'Caution - Steep Decent' and 'Pedestrian Access only' signs[10]. As the sign suggests, this walk now leads steeply down the Nellies Glen canyon steps[11] for about 300m, passing alongside the tall rock walls[12] and crossing the usually small creek a few times before bending distinctly left to cross below a small set of falls (below the main Bonnie Doon Falls)[13]. Here the track mostly flattens out[14] and leads along the side of the gully for another 400m to pass a 'Blue Mountains National Park' sign[15], then just over 100m later, passes another sign marking the lower end of 'Nellies Glen'[16]. About 600m after this sign, the track bends to cross a narrow gully then leads up to a small clearing at the northern end of the wide Nellies Glen trail.

(3km) Int at Lower Nellies Glen → Int of Nellies Glen Rd Trail and Devils Hole Trail

2 km

36 mins

14m

-102m Moderate track

Veer left: From the clearing, this walk follows the wide trail gently downhill[17] while keeping the valley to your right. The trail leads generally downhill through the scribbly gum forest[18] for about 1.4km to then cross the culverted[19] Devils Hole Creek - just past the creek is an unused concrete pipe[20] with wild bee hives[21] inside. This walk continues along the trail for another 500m to an intersection with the Devils Hole Trail[22] (on your left), marked a 'Six Foot Track' and a 'Ladders have been removed' sign.

(5km) Int of 6 Ft Track and Devil's Hole Servicetrail → Int of Devil's Hole Bushtrack and Cliff Rd

2.2 km

1 hr 16 mins climb

425m

-12m Very experienced only

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk initially heads east along the lesser management trail (that is, away from the more major road), soon passing a green building on the left. The trail rises gradually, with some very short sections where it is quite steep. This continues for approximately 850m, until reaching an intersection with a bush track on the left. This is usually marked by a large cairn on the corner. The track turns left here, travelling along the track heading north. Soon, the track crosses Devils Hole Creek and after this gradually turns to the north-east. As the track get closer and closer to the cliffs, it becomes steeper and steeper. Once near the top, the walk follows the markers nailed onto the trees next to the track, as well as the small cairns. (If you don't follow these, you will go too far and come to a small waterfall.) The track climbs up steeply to the north through a gap in the cliffs (this gap is not really visible from below the cliffs). Once emerging from the gap, the trail becomes better managed and much more defined. It then winds further north-east until coming to an intersection with Cliff Rd. There are great views over the Megalong Valley leading up to here.

Maps for the Devil's Hole Trail 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
Katoomba	1:25 000 Map Series	89301S KATOOMBA	NSW-89301S
Katoomba	1:100 000 Map Series	8930 KATOOMBA	8930

Cross sectional view of the Devil's Hole Trail bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Devil's Hole Trail

Altitude analysis for Devil's Hole Trail

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 km
		Time	3 hrs 30 mins
		.
Grade 6/6 Very experienced only	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Very steep and difficult scrambles (5/6)
		Quality of track	Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
		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	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

2.4km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 2.2km is very steep with difficult rock scrambles. Whilst another 1.6km is very steep and the remaining 790m has short steep hills.

Quality of track

3.8km of this walk follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely and another 2.1km follows a clear and well formed track or trail. The remaining (1km) follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.

Signs

3.8km of this walk is clearly signposted and another 2.2km Has no directional signs. The remaining (1km) has directional signs at most intersection.

Experience Required

4.6km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience and another 2.2km requires a leader a with moderate level of bushwalking experience. The remaining (150m) requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

Around 3.8km of this walk is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety, whilst the remaining 3.1km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

3.8km of this walk has limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) and another 2.2km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats). The remaining (940m) has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Devil's Hole Trail walk.

Nellie's Glen Lookout

2 km Return, 1 Hr

This walk has heritage interest and views, starting at the famous Explorers Tree and finishing with views of the cliffs from Nellie's Glen lookout. The briefness of this walk makes it a great way to finish your 6 Foot Track walk if you have come from Jenolan. It's also a great way to start the 6 Foo

Total climbing: 117m

Moderate track

Farnell Road to Nellies Glen Lookout return

2.2 km Return, 1 hr 30 mins

This short walk explores the Blue Mountains National Park just west of Katoomba, winding around the cliff tops to the Nellies Glen lookout, and offering a side trip to the Therabulat Lookout, both of which provide great views across the Megalong Valley. This walk can be enjoyed by the whole family a

Total climbing: 215m

Moderate track

Farnell Road to Explorers Tree

4 km Return, 2 hrs

This short walk takes you from the western end of Katoomba, initially following the cliff line, then following Pulpit Hill Road to the Explorers Tree. There are optional side trips to lookouts, providing great views across the Megalong Valley. In addition to the great views, the walk provides the op

Total climbing: 302m

Moderate track

Six Foot Track

44.8 km One way, 3 Days

This classic walk takes you from Katoomba to Jenolan Caves via a historic horse route. The walk travels mainly along well-maintained service tracks and explores Nellie's Glen, Megalong Valley, Cox's River, Black Range, and Jenolan. There are well established and popular campsites along the way.

Total climbing: 2066m

Hard track

Six Foot Track (Alum Creek Reserve)

44.8 km One way, 2 Days

The Six Foot Track is a classic walk which takes you from the Explorers Tree in Katoomba out to the amazing Jenolan Caves. This walk stays the night in Alum Creek Reserve before tackling the long hill up to Black Range Road. The walk is a classic and normally done in 3 days, this two day option is f

Total climbing: 2066m

Hard track

Cox's River return via Narrowneck

47.8 km One way, 2 Days

This walk is a great, two day walk that drops down from Katoomba to Cox's River in the Megalong Valley. From the scenic Cox's River, the walk returns to Katoomba via Dunphy's campsite and Narrowneck. The trip is two solid days of walking that takes in some breathtaking views of the Blue Mountains. T

Total climbing: 2390m

Very experienced only

Cox's River return via Dunphy's campsite

47.8 km One way, 3 Days

This tough, three day walk descends from Katoomba to the peaceful Megalong Valley. It uses the Six Foot Track to navigate its way down to the Cox's River from where it returns to Katoomba via Dunphy's campsite and Narrowneck. The walk has some stunning panoramas which are complemented by the close-u

Total climbing: 2390m

Very experienced only

This classic trail follows along the base of the cliffs from Leura to the Golden Stairs, passing many of the more popular sights of the Katoomba region. Travelling through beautiful forest environments, this is one of the longer walks in the area. Leura Forest and Kedumba Falls are both great places

Total climbing: 989m

Hard track