Scenic Railway - Federal Pass Track

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Time 3 hrs
One way 3.1 km One way
Climb 282 m
Grade 4 Hard track
Bus Car
no_pets
This walk starts at the world renowned Echo Point lookout. After exploring the Three Sisters, the walk descends steeply into the valley and meanders around the base of the Three Sisters and Katoomba Falls. A leisurely and exciting ride up the Scenic Railway replaces the long walk back up the hill.

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 Archway Intersection → Oreades Lookout

distance 430 m time 12 mins climb 19m descent -47m Easy track
From the archway, this walk follows the lower of the two footpaths heading away from Echo Point, for approximately 30m, before coming to the intersection of the Spooners Lookout track.
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Three Sisters' arrow[1] gently uphill along the concrete path, keeping the main valley behind and to the left. The track then leads up, past a short fence, to a clear intersection with the Three Sisters Walk[2].
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Three Sisters 400m' arrow[3] 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[4]. 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[5]. 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[6] moderately steeply downhillalong the smooth concrete path[7]. After about about 90m[8] this path leads past stone seat(on the left) in a small sandstone overhang[9]. Check the miniature cicada sculptures[10] above the overhang. From here this walk continues downhill along the path for about 30m to find the fenced Oreades Lookout[11] (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 → Top of the Giant Staircase

distance 20 m time 1 mins climb 0m descent -10m Easy 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.

(0km) Top of the Giant Staircase → Lady Game Lookout

distance 10 m time 1 mins climb 0m descent -12m Very easy
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the footpath down the hill towards the Three Sisters for about 10m before coming to the Lady Game Lookout. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn right.

Lady Game Lookout

Lady Game Lookout
Lady Game Lookout is a narrow, fenced lookout above the Three Sisters. The track to this lookout starts just near the archway which marks the start of the Giant Staircase. Lady Game Lookout provides a bird's-eye view over the Three Sisters and is a popular stop whilst exploring the area.

(0km) Top of the Giant Staircase → The Three Sisters Bridge Intersection

distance 40 m time 4 mins climb 0m descent -31m Hard track
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 → Bottom of Giant Staircase

distance 200 m time 19 mins climb 20m descent -151m 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'.

(1km) Bottom of Giant Staircase → Int of Federal Pass, Scenic Railway and Dardenelles Tracks

distance 290 m time 10 mins climb 33m descent -36m Moderate 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[13]). 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 World

distance 700 m time 24 mins climb 233m descent -36m Hard track
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads up the stairs. After the first section, the walk flattens out slightly as it zigzags up the hill. The track also goes under several large overhangs before coming to an intersection and a 'Vera's Grotto' sign.
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Scenic Skyway' sign up the wooden steps and across the short wooden boardwalk to the other side. The track continues with the hand railing on the left, until reaching the base of the Furber Steps. From here, the walk continues up the concrete steps, zigzagging steeply up the side of the cliff, until reaching the Furber Lookout at the base of the last flight of steps.
Continue straight: From the Furber Lookout, this walk heads up the concrete stairs, climbing to the top. The walk passes the 'Furber Steps' signpost and continues along the bush track, winding up along the side of the hill until coming to the intersection of the Furber Steps and the Lynes Point tracks.
Turn left : From the lookout, this walk follows the bush track, heading down the short metal staircase to the intersection of the Lynes Point bush track at the bottom.
Continue straight: From the lookout, this walk heads up the stairs, climbing to the top. Here it continues along the bush track, winding past a large rock overhang with a bench seat underneath and through the forest for a short while, to the signposted intersection of the 'Underfalls Walk'.
Continue straight: From the intersection, the track follows the bush track heading up the hill, winding up through the forest for a short while. Soon the track bends slightly around to the right and comes to the Rainforest Lookout, at the base of the set of wooden steps.
Turn left : From the Rainforest Lookout, this walk heads up the wooden steps, climbing to the top where it comes to a 'T' intersection with the 'Round Walk' track.
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Scenic Skyway' sign down the wooden steps, then flattens out for a short distance before continuing up the other side, climbing up the long, steep set of wooden steps. At the top, the walk comes to the intersection of the Round Walk and the Juliets Balcony track (unsignposted).
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk heads to the top of the metal stairs. The track then continues steeply up through the bush, climbing to Vanimans Lookout.
Turn left: From Vanimans Lookout, this walk heads up the wooden steps, climbing up the hill through the bush until it comes to the intersection with the Prince Henry Cliff Walk.
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the only unsignposted bush track up the gentle hill. It winds up the wooden steps, bending around to the left until it flattens out at the intersection with the Scenic World footbridge.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads along the wooden footbridge that winds around the back of the Scenic World multi-story car park, to the concrete footpath. The walk continues around the main building, climbing up some concrete steps to the main entrance of Scenic World.

(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 Scenic Railway - Federal Pass 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.

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 Scenic Railway - Federal Pass Track bushwalking track

Terrain profile for Scenic Railway - Federal Pass Track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Scenic Railway - Federal Pass Track

Altitude analysis for Scenic Railway - Federal Pass 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.

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 800m has gentle hills with occasional steps. Whilst another 300m 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 Scenic Railway - Federal Pass Track walk.

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Scenic Railway - Federal Pass Track walk.

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Scenic Railway - Federal Pass Track walk starts at the Echo Point Archway Intersection (gps: -33.731966, 150.31271)

The Scenic Railway - Federal Pass Track 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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