Katoomba Cascades

Download & Print Map and Notes

15 mins

254 m Return

19 m

Moderate track

This short walk starts at Katoomba Falls Park, on Cliff Drive. The track heads down to the popular Katoomba Cascades. There is some shade and a bench seat at the base of the falls. There are a few spots to enjoy a snack or get the feet wet on a hot day. An optional side trip can extend the walk to follow the Kedumba river to the spot it falls into the valley, a few hundred meters below, providing excellent views.

Prince Henry Cliff walk near Katoomba Cascades

Stepping stones across the Kedumba River at the base of Katoomba Cascades

(0km) Katoomba Falls Park → Katoomba Cascades

130 m

3 mins

-18m Moderate track

From the intersection, this walk heads away from the 'Cliff View Lookout' sign, keeping the road on the right of the footpath. The path heads into open parkland, around the edge of the park and down the wooden steps to the bottom, where the walk comes to the Kedumba River crossing, just downstream of the Katoomba Cascades.

Katoomba Cascades

Popular with locals and visitors alike, these picturesque cascades are on the Kedumba River. The cascades are nestled in the bend on Cliff Drive, near Katoomba Park. There are stepping stones across the creek at the bottom of the falls and a bench seat in the shade. There are a few small clearings where visitors can sit and enjoy the falls.

(0km) Katoomba Cascades → Kedumba River lookout

180 m

4 mins

-22m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the cascades, this walk crosses the creek to the western side, where it passes a picnic bench. The track continues downstream, winding through the forest for a short while until climbing up a gentle hill to the Kedumba River lookout. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn sharp left.

Kedumba River lookout

This unnamed, fenced lookout is at the bend in the track along Kedumba River, at the top of Katoomba Falls. The lookout gives great views across the valley to Mount Solitary and Narrow Neck. There are also glimpses of the Katoomba Falls as it drops away, far into the valley below.

Maps for the Katoomba Cascades 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 Katoomba Cascades bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Katoomba Cascades

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	254 m
		Time	15 mins
		.
Grade 3/6 Moderate track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Gentle hills with occasional steps (2/6)
		Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
		Signs	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
		Experience Required	No experience required (1/6)
		Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
		Infrastructure	Generally 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

This whole walk, 130m has gentle hills with occasional steps.

Quality of track

This whole walk, 130m follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.

Signs

This whole walk, 130m has directional signs at most intersection.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 130m requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 130m is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

This whole walk, 130m 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 Katoomba Cascades walk.

Katoomba Falls to Echo Point via Prince Henry Cliff Walk

1.8 km One way, 1 Hr

This walk is a lovely clifftop walk above the Jamison Valley, with extensive views out to Mt Solitary. The Three Sisters make a wonderful highlight, along with great views from Echo Point Lookout. The walk takes in many additional lookouts along the way, each with its own unique view of the Blue Mou

Total climbing: 196m

Moderate track

Scenic World to Echo Point

2.1 km One way, 1 hr 15 mins

This is one of the most popular tourist walks in the Katoomba area. The walk follows the cliffs along a well maintained and signposted track between two popular destinations, Scenic World and Echo Point. You will see amazing views of the Jamison Valley and Mt Solitary before enjoying the majesty of

Total climbing: 192m

Moderate track

Echo Point to Katoomba Falls

3.1 km Return, 1 hr 30 mins

From one magnificent lookout to more magnificent lookouts of the Jamison Valley this walk just gets better as it heads from the highly popular Echo Point, to Katoomba Falls. Hidden below Katoomba Park these falls are enchanting to watch as the water cascades down the rocks and along the stream. From

Total climbing: 310m

Moderate track

Scenic world to Three Sisters Loop via Furber Steps

5.8 km Circuit, 5 hrs 30 mins

This walk starts from the popular Scenic World, in Katoomba, and winds down the Furber steps into the Jamison Valley, following the bush track around the Three Sisters, before climbing up the Giant Staircase and returning along the clifftops. This walk takes you on a crash course of the Blue Mountai

Total climbing: 722m

Hard track

The Prince Henry Cliff Walk

6.8 km One way, 3 hrs 30 mins

Going from Katoomba to Leura, this walk covers the top of the cliff line and most of the major lookouts. With brilliant vistas all along the way, the views of the Jamison Valley are truly amazing. Time should be set aside to dawdle along the cliffs and soak up the serenity of the cliffs.

Total climbing: 575m

Moderate track

Solitary Kiosk Loop

9.4 km Circuit, 5 hrs 30 mins

This is a great walk, with much to offer photographers and those who only have a day in Katoomba. The walk descends into the valley from Solitary Kiosk before climbing up the scenic (and steep) Furber steps and soaking up the views around the rim of the valley. A great way to take in both the valley

Total climbing: 1009m

Hard track

Mt Solitary and Kedumba Valley Circuit

33.8 km Circuit, 3 Days

On this 3 day walk you will explore some remote areas around the Kedumba Valley, and some of the most famous spots in the Blue Mountains. The walks starts at Scenic World to head down Furber Steps and follow the Federal pass past the Scenic Railway, the land slide, to an optional side trip up Ruined

Total climbing: 2863m

Experienced only

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Katoomba Cascades walk.

Katoomba Falls Park to Cliff View Lookout

556 m Return, 20 mins

This very pleasant walk starts from the Katoomba Falls Park. The walk explores the cliffs and dense vegetation in the area, and enters the Blue Mountains National Park to enjoy the views from the Cliff View Lookout. The lookout provides stunning views up the Kedumba Valley. The walk is well signp

Total climbing: 38m

Very easy

Katoomba Kiosk to base of Katoomba Falls

1.7 km Return, 2 hrs

This walk starts from the Katoomba Kiosk, on Cliff Drive, winds down to the bottom of Furber Steps and continues to the base of the Katoomba Falls. There are optional side trips to Katoomba Falls lookout and Vera's Grotto on the way. By the creek at the base of Katoomba Falls is a great spot to enjo

Total climbing: 272m

Hard track

Katoomba Kiosk to Katoomba Falls

1.1 km Return, 45 mins

This is a excellent return walk, starting from the Katoomba kiosk and winding down to the Furber Steps, where it continues along a well signposted side track to the Katoomba Falls lookout. As this walk starts and finishes at the Kiosk, it is can be a great place to grab some tucker before heading of

Total climbing: 116m

Moderate track

Reids Plateau Loop

352 m Circuit, 20 mins

This walk starts near Katoomba Kiosk, opposite Katoomba Park, on Cliff Drive. The walk heads through the bush, on a well established track, out to Reids Plateau. The loop around Reids Plateau explores several lookouts and the bush through the area. There are a couple of short side trips out to ex

Total climbing: 29m

Moderate track

Round Walk

854 m Circuit, 45 mins

A great walk exploring the upper section of Furber Steps. Starting at the Katoomba Kiosk, this walk visits Witches Leap, Juliets Balcony and Vanimans Lookout to loop back to the Kiosk. There are great views down the Kedumba Valley and of many of the surrounding features. A well shaded walk with so

Total climbing: 52m

Hard track

Lady Darley Lookout Track

218 m Return, 20 mins

This walk provides the shortest access to Lady Darley Lookout from the road. Starting from Panorama Dr, in Katoomba, the walk heads down a hill with stairs, to the lookout. The lookout is on the Prince Henry Cliff walk, and provides great views of the Kedumba Valley. Although popular, this is much

Total climbing: 50m

Moderate track

Furber Steps-Scenic Railway

869 m Circuit, 1 hr 15 mins

This popular walk descends into the Jamison Valley, passing great views of Mt Solitary and Katoomba Falls. Be sure to allow time to explore as many of the side trips as possible as these are just amazing (especially the cascading water at Katoomba Falls). To save the walk back up the hill, take a ri

Total climbing: 46m

Hard track

Katoomba Falls Circuit

1.5 km Circuit, 1 hr 45 mins

For those looking for a walk involving more than simple boardwalk, this trail winding through the temperate rain forest could be just the thing. Katoomba Falls cannot fail to dazzle as they cascade down the cliffs, and the opportunity to stop for a quick cup of coffee in Katoomba Falls Kiosk makes t

Total climbing: 159m

Hard track

Scenic World down Furber Steps to Narrow Neck loop

6.8 km Circuit, 5 hrs

This walk starts from the popular Scenic World tourist spot. The walk winds down into the Jamison Valley via the Furber steps, heads west around the edge of the valley, past the landslide, and climbs the Golden Stairs, before returning to Scenic World along the roads. This is a great day walk, provi

Total climbing: 769m

Hard track

Scenic World to base of Katoomba Falls (Via Furber Steps)

1.7 km Return, 3 hrs 45 mins

This pleasant walk starts at the popular Scenic World, in Katoomba, where the Scenic Railway and the Skyway are located. The walk finds its way down the Furber steps, where there are some great side trips to lookouts. At the bottom, the walk heads around through the forest to the base of the Katoomb

Total climbing: 302m

Hard track

Scenic World to Katoomba Falls Lookout

1.2 km Return, 2 hrs

This walk starts from Scenic World and winds part way down the Furber Steps and along a small, well travelled side track to the Katoomba Falls lookout. Providing great views, and plenty of visitor information at Scenic World, this is a great walk for those who like waterfalls, ferns and grottos, and

Total climbing: 146m

Hard track

Witches Leap Circuit

1.1 km Circuit, 2 hrs

A great circuit walk near Scenic World, Katoomba. This walk heads into a temperate rain forest, following a shrouded trail through Witches Leap, a small creek crossing, before emerging near Katoomba Kiosk. The kiosk is a good spot to stop for a coffee before heading back along the flat trail to Scen

Total climbing: 89m

Hard track

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Katoomba Cascades walk starts and ends at the Katoomba Falls Park (gps: -33.726410, 150.30613)

Bus. (get details)

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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