Echo Point to Scenic World via Giant Stairway

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Time 3 hrs
One way 3.1 km One way
Climb 273 m
Grade 4 Hard track
Bus Car
no_pets
This walk starts at the most popular lookout in the Blue Mountains, and passes one of Australia's most famous landmarks, The Three Sisters. After descending into the valley and enjoying the views along the bottom of the cliffs you catch the scenic railway back up the hill. With great views of the valley, and a beautiful forest environment, this is a popular walk. All the more because at the end, the world's steepest railway is available to take walkers back up to the top of the cliffs. This walk is not suitable for people with heart or breathing difficulties and for those with a fear of heights.

Echo Point

Echo Point
Echo Point is the Blue Mountains' most famous and popular lookout, home to one of the best photo opportunities for the Three Sisters[1]. Visited by over two million tourists each year, this popular spot also serves as the starting point for many great walks in the area. The lookout is well fenced[2], has information signs[3][4] and stunning views across the valley to the Three Sisters[5] and Mount Solitary[6]. There are mounted binoculars and seats nearby.

Echo Point Information Centre

Echo Point Information Centre
This modern building at Echo Point is a great source of information. It is open daily from 9am-5pm (except Christmas Day). There is a large range of books, maps and information about the area (and ice creams). There are toilets opposite the entrance, and mobility parking opposite. For more information, phone 1300 653 408. More info.

(0km) Echo Point Information Center → Echo Point Archway Intersection

distance 30 m time 1 mins climb 0m descent -1m Very easy
From the front of the visitor center[7], this walk heads gently uphill, following the 'Three Sister walk' sign[8]. The walk soon passes the toilet block[9] and veers right to pass under the stone archway[10] and come to an intersection[11] with a path (on the right) just past the 'Blue Mountains National Park' sign[12].

(0km) Echo Point Archway Intersection → Oreades Lookout

distance 410 m time 10 mins climb 10m descent -37m Easy track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads along the 'Three Sisters walkway'[13] footpath, initially keeping the metal fence to the right. The smooth concrete path leads up and over a rise then leads gently downhill for about 80m to a signposted three-way intersection[14].
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Three Sisters 400m' arrow[15] downhill along the concrete path, keeping the valley to the right. After about 15m the walk leads past a stone seat(on the left), with a blue tongue lizard sculpture[16]. The walk continues gently downhill for another 60m to pass another sandstone seat (on the left). From here the path winds gently downhill for another 70m to find yet another sandstone seat (on the left). The path continues downhill for another 45m to find a clear intersection marked with a large 'Three Sisters Walk' sign[17]. On the right is a small flat loose gravel area with two seats.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Three Sisters, Giant Stairway' sign[18] moderately steeply downhillalong the smooth concrete path[19]. After about about 90m[20] this path leads past stone seat(on the left) in a small sandstone overhang[21]. Check the miniature cicada sculptures[22] above the overhang. From here this walk continues downhill along the path for about 30m to find the fenced Oreades Lookout[23] (on the right).

(0km) Oreades Lookout → Int of Prince Henry Cliff Track and the Three Sisters Footpath

distance 20 m time 1 mins climb 0m descent -11m Easy track
Continue straight: From Oreades Lookout platform, this walk follows the main path down the steps, keeping the valley views to the right. At the bottom of the first set of steps the walking comes to an intersection with a track (on the left).

(0km) Int of Lady Game Lookout Track and the Three Sisters Footpath → The Three Sisters Bridge Intersection

distance 60 m time 5 mins climb 0m descent -41m Hard track
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the footpath down the gentle hill towards the Three Sisters, passing under a rock archway and coming to the top of the Giant Staircase.
Turn left: From the intersection, the walk follows the steep stairs, winding down the side of the cliffs, to the intersection next to the bridge (which goes across to the overhang under the First Sister).

(1km) The Three Sisters Bridge Intersection → The Three Sisters

distance 10 m time climb 0m descent 0m Very easy
Turn right: From the intersection, the walk crosses the bridge over to the Three Sisters. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Veer right.

The Three Sisters

The Three Sisters
This well-known rock formation can be found just south of Katoomba, and can be viewed from many of the cliffside lookouts, from Narrow Neck all the way around to Sublime Point. Historically, this formation appears in Aboriginal 'Dream Time' stories, where three sisters were transformed into stone. This iconic rock formation is popular amongst tourists and bushwalkers alike. More info.

(1km) The Three Sisters Bridge intersection → Int of Federal Pass, Scenic Railway and Dardenelles Tracks

distance 490 m time 29 mins climb 53m descent -187m Hard track
Veer left: From the bridge, the walk goes steeply down the cliff using the metal Giant staircase with handrails. Along the way there are magnificent views of the valley, with chairs to help enjoy various outlooks. The walk continues to descend steeply until coming to an intersection with a flat bush track, signposted as the 'Dardenelles Walking Track'.
Turn right: From the bottom of the Giant Staircase, the walk follows the 'Scenic Railway' sign, keeping the main cliff to the right. The track continues with some great views over the Valley, and at several points, there are small seats to enjoy these fine views. The track then comes to a well-signposted intersection, with signs pointing along the 'Federal Pass Track' and 'Dardanelles Pass'.

(1km) Int of Federal Pass, Scenic Railway and Dardenelles Tracks → Cooks Crossing

distance 1.7 km time 52 mins climb 179m descent -169m Moderate track
Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Federal Pass' sign towards 'Scenic Railway', keeping the main cliffs on the right. Not long after the intersection, the track passes 'under the sisters' rock formation (signposted[25]). From here, the track turns and continues along a relatively stretch and, at several points, passes some notable rock formations and caves embedded in the cliffs. There are occasional good views that are not shrouded by the trees. The walk continues until coming to the base of Katoomba Falls, crossing these using a metal bridge know as 'Cooks Crossing'. (Just across the bridge, there is a picnic table.)

(3km) Cooks Crossing → Int of Furber Steps and Scenic Railway Track

distance 170 m time 5 mins climb 21m descent -12m Easy track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads south-west away from Katoomba Falls along the bush track, soon passing the signposted 'Turpentine Tree'. Shortly after this tree, the track comes to an intersection with another bush track and set of stairs (on the right, signposted as 'Furber Steps').

(3km) Int of Furber Steps and Scenic Railway Track → Scenic Railway (Bottom Platform)

distance 170 m time 4 mins climb 10m descent -15m Easy track
Continue straight: From the bottom of Furber Steps, this walk follows the 'To base of scenic railway' sign keeping the handrail on the left, and following the flat bush track. This track passes through a small gate over a metal bridge at the bottom of the Scenic Railway.

(3km) Scenic Railway (Bottom Platform) → Scenic World

distance 300 m time 26 mins climb 210m descent -8m Very easy
Turn left: From the bottom platform, this walk heads up to the cliff top using the Scenic Railway. Hang on tight! This 415m-long journey is the world's steepest railway. Use of the railway costs $10 for adults and $5 for children one-way. Last train normally at 4:45pm (opens at 9am). More info.

Scenic World

Scenic World
Scenic World is one of the most renowned tourist attractions of Katoomba and the Blue Mountains. Located on the cliffs of the Jamison Valley , visitors can enjoy a ride on the Scenic Railway (the world's steepest incline railway) or the Scenic Cableway, into the Jamison Valley, and explore the Scenic Walkway from the base. Alternatively, the Scenic Skyway offers a bird's eye view over the valley, with a glass floor to enhance the experience. Scenic World also features a revolving restaurant, a cafe and a kiosk, in addition to the documentary theatre and souvenir shop. Rides can be purchased, starting from $16 for adults and $10 for children, and combination or family passes are available. More info.

Maps for the Echo Point to Scenic World via Giant Stairway 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 Track1:50 000 Map SeriesSix Foot TrackNSW-six-foot-track
Katoomba1:25 000 Map Series89301S KATOOMBANSW-89301S
Katoomba1:100 000 Map Series8930 KATOOMBA8930

Cross sectional view of the Echo Point to Scenic World via Giant Stairway bushwalking track

Terrain profile for Echo Point to Scenic World via Giant Stairway

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Echo Point to Scenic World via Giant Stairway

Altitude analysis for Echo Point to Scenic World via Giant Stairway

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.

Length3.1 km
Time3 hrs
.




Grade 4/6



Hard track
AS 2156.1GradientVery steep (4/6)
Quality of trackClear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
SignsClearly signposted (1/6)
Experience RequiredNo experience required (1/6)
WeatherStorms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)
InfrastructureGenerally 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

2km of this walk has short steep hills and another 680m has gentle hills with occasional steps. Whilst another 430m is flat with no steps and the remaining 240m is very steep.

Quality of track

Around 2.3km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail, whilst the remaining 1km follows a smooth and hardened path.

Signs

This whole walk, 3.4km is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 3.4km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

Around 3.2km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 200m is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.

Infrastructure

This whole walk, 3.4km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Echo Point to Scenic World via Giant Stairway walk.

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Echo Point to Scenic World via Giant Stairway walk.

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Echo Point to Scenic World via Giant Stairway walk starts at the Echo Point Information Center (gps: -33.732069, 150.31242)

The Echo Point to Scenic World via Giant Stairway ends at the Scenic World (gps: -33.728585, 150.30095)

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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