Katoomba Falls to Echo Point via Prince Henry Cliff Walk

Download & Print Map and Notes

Tap again to allow map panning

Time 1 Hr
One way 1.8 km One way
Climb 196 m
Grade 3 Moderate track
Bus Car
no_pets
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 Mountains.

Katoomba Falls Kiosk

Katoomba Falls Kiosk
The Katoomba Falls Kiosk serves a variety of light and healthy meals including breakfast, lunch and Devonshire teas. A drink enjoyed here will add to the experience of any local bushwalk. For more information, phone (02) 4782-4868. More info.

(0km) Katoomba Falls Kiosk → Int of Katoomba Kiosk Loop and Witches Leap Track

distance 70 m time 2 mins climb 0m descent -7m Moderate track
From Katoomba Falls Kiosk, this walk heads out the front doors and turns left following the side of the building, past the car park to the small park, which it crosses, passing the water fountain and the large information signs to the signposted intersection of the 'Prince Henry Cliff Walk' and the track heading to 'Scenic Railway & Skyway'.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Reids Plateau' sign down the concrete stairs, passing a 'Greenspace Project' sign. The walk continues down to the bottom of the stairs and to the intersection of the Katoomba Falls Walk and the Prince Henry Cliff Walk (unsignposted).

(0km) Int of Prince Henry Cliff Walk and Reids Plateau loop → Int of Solitary Lookout track and Prince Henry Cliff Walk

distance 70 m time 2 mins climb 1m descent -13m Moderate track
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Prince Henry Cliff Walk' signpost down the hardened footpath, winding down some wooden steps to the bottom of the hill, where it flattens out and continues through the forest for a short distance before coming to the intersection of Solitary Lookout track.

(0km) Int of Solitary Lookout track and Prince Henry Cliff Walk → Solitary Lookout

distance 20 m time 1 mins climb 0m descent -10m Easy track
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads down the wooden steps and along the bush track, winding through the forest for a short while before dropping down some concrete steps to Solitary Lookout. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn right.

Solitary Lookout

Solitary Lookout
This unnamed lookout, near Katoomba falls, looks straight out across the Kedumba Valley to Mount Solitary. Although the Three Sisters are not visible, visitors can see Narrow Neck plateau and Ruined Castle to the right. The lookout is fenced, and there is a chair where you can sit and watch the Scenic Skyway go back and forth.

(0km) Int of Solitary Lookout track and Prince Henry Cliff Walk → Kedumba River lookout

distance 60 m time 3 mins climb 3m descent -18m Moderate track
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the footpath down the gentle hill for a short distance and arrives at the Kedumba River lookout.

Kedumba River lookout

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.

(0km) Kedumba River lookout → Katoomba Cascades

distance 180 m time 4 mins climb 22m descent -4m Moderate track
Veer left: From the lookout, this walk heads north along the bush track, winding along the left-hand side of the gully. The walk comes to the Kedumba River and follows it upstream through the forest, until the track bends down to the river crossing, just downstream of the cascades.

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 → Katoomba Falls Park

distance 130 m time 3 mins climb 18m descent -1m Moderate track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk crosses to the eastern side of the creek and continues up the wooden steps, winding to the top of the hill. From here, the track bends to the right and continues along through the park for a short while until coming to the intersection of Cliff Drive.

(1km) Katoomba Falls Park → Cliff View Lookout

distance 280 m time 7 mins climb 10m descent -28m Very easy
Turn right: From the intersection (by the signposted mobility parking bayon Cliff Drive, about 120m from Katoomba Falls Road), this walk follows the 'Cliff View Lookout 10 mins' sign gently uphill[1] along the stenciled concrete path (with handrails on the right) for about 60m. This walk then meanders along the path gently downhill[2] for about 45m to come to a start of the second handrail(on the left)[3] where this walk becomes a bit steeper downhill. After about 60m this walk flattens[4] and continues gently uphill for about 80m to come to a 3-way intersection[5] with the 'Skyway East Station' staircase[6] (on the left).
Continue straight: From the intersection[7], this walk follows the stenciled concrete path keeping the handrails on the right, almost immediately passing under the cables of the 'Skyway' cable car[8]. This walk continues for about 40m and goes up and over a gentle rise to come to a concrete platform[9] marked by the 'Cliff View Lookout' sign on the fence[10].

Cliff View Lookout

Cliff View Lookout
This large, fenced wheelchair accessible lookout provides great mountain views[11] of Mt Solitary[12], Kedumba Valley, Narrow Neck[13] and across to Scenic World[14]. There's a bench seatat the back of the lookout to enjoy the views from. The lookout fence is 1.2m high, the platform is 7.8x5.5m wide.

(1km) Cliff View Lookout → Wollumai Lookout

distance 240 m time 8 mins climb 25m descent -29m Moderate track
Turn left: Keeping the lookout and the valley to the right, the walk follows the bush track heading up and away from the cliffs, winding through the thick scrub until it passes a picnic bench, and continues along for a short while to Wollumai Lookout.

Wollumai Lookout

Wollumai Lookout
Wollumai Lookout is a small, fenced lookout on the side of the Prince Henry Cliff Track. The lookout is on a sandstone platform at the base of a cliff, and looks over a much larger drop into the Jamison Valley. There is a bench seat to enjoy the views over the valley, including Mount Solitary, Narrow Neck and glimpses of the Three Sisters.

(1km) Wollumai Lookout → Allambie Lookout

distance 100 m time 3 mins climb 10m descent -13m Moderate track
Continue straight: With the lookout and the valley to the right, the walk follows the bush track as it winds along the side of the hill through thick scrub for a short distance, before heading down some concrete steps and continuing through a patch of tall gum trees, until it comes to the Allambie Lookout.

Allambie Lookout

Allambie Lookout
Allambie Lookout is a small, fenced lookout on the side of the Prince Henry Cliff Track. The lookout provides an opportunity to enjoy the valley view and the sights of the Three Sisters, Kings Tablelands and Mount Solitary.

(1km) Allambie Lookout → Lady Darley Lookout

distance 140 m time 4 mins climb 19m descent -11m Moderate track
Continue straight: From Allambie Lookout, this walk follows the bush track heading east, keeping the lookout and the valley to the right. The walk winds down a few wooden steps and continues along the bottom of a short rock cliff. The track then comes to base of a long set of wooden steps which it climbs to the top, coming to a short metal staircase which leads up to the Lady Darley Lookout.

Lady Darley Lookout

Lady Darley Lookout
Lady Darley Lookout is a moderately-sized, fenced lookout, found on the Prince Henry Cliff Track. The lookout can also be accessed directly by a track from Panorama Drive. There is an information sign describing the view and the traditional naming of the natural features. The panoramic views from the lookout are great, from Kings Tableland on the left to Mount Solitary, Narrow Neck and parts of Scenic World on the far right.

(1km) Lady Darley Lookout → Kedumba View

distance 200 m time 8 mins climb 36m descent -27m Moderate track
Veer right: From the lookout, this walk follows the 'Grand Cliff Top Track' sign[15] towards Echo Point, heading down the wooden steps and along the side of the hill. After a short while, the track joins onto a concrete footpath, coming to the Kedumba View at the information sign a short distance later.

(1km) Kedumba View → Queen Elizabeth Lookout

distance 280 m time 9 mins climb 29m descent -34m Very easy
Turn left: Keeping the Kedumba View to the right, the walk follows the footpath along the side of the hill, winding through the bush until coming to the intersection of the Echo Point and the Queen Elizabeth Lookout paths.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the lower of the two footpaths, heading south down to the large lookout underneath Echo Point. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn sharp left.

Queen Elizabeth Lookout

Queen Elizabeth Lookout
Queen Elizabeth Lookout offers a breathtaking outlook, directly over the Three Sisters rock formation, and into the Jamison Valley. One of a number of viewing platforms at Echo Point, this platform is slightly lower than the more popular road-side area, however it is wheelchair-accessible, also offering some shade and seating. The platform was officially named in 1955, after a visit from Queen Elizabeth II the preceding year.

(1km) Int of Echo Point and Queen Elizabeth Lookout tracks → Echo Point

distance 70 m time 3 mins climb 1m descent -19m Very easy
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads up the concrete ramp, climbing up the gentle hill to Echo Point.

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[17]. 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[18], has information signs[19][20] and stunning views across the valley to the Three Sisters[21] and Mount Solitary[22]. There are mounted binoculars and seats nearby.

(2km) Echo Point → Echo Point Information Center

distance 90 m time 4 mins climb 22m descent -3m Very easy
Turn left: From the formal Echo Point Lookout[23], this walk heads away from the view, uphill across the wideopen concrete area[24]. After 30m the walk passes a large concrete seat(on the right), where the walk continues for another 20m to pass a similar seat(also on the right). The walk continues up to the the front of the visitor center[25] (on the right) and the mobility parking area(on the left).

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.

Maps for the Katoomba Falls to Echo Point via Prince Henry Cliff Walk 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 Katoomba Falls to Echo Point via Prince Henry Cliff Walk bushwalking track

Terrain profile for Katoomba Falls to Echo Point via Prince Henry Cliff Walk

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Katoomba Falls to Echo Point via Prince Henry Cliff Walk

Altitude analysis for Katoomba Falls to Echo Point via Prince Henry Cliff Walk

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.

Length1.8 km
Time1 Hr
.




Grade 3/6



Moderate track
AS 2156.1GradientGentle hills with occasional steps (2/6)
Quality of trackFormed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
SignsDirectional signs along the way (3/6)
Experience RequiredNo experience required (1/6)
WeatherWeather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
InfrastructureLimited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

Around 1.1km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps, whilst the remaining 690m is flat with no steps.

Quality of track

990m of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and another 640m follows a smooth and hardened path. The remaining (200m) follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs

Around 1.1km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 720m is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 1.8km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 1.8km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

Around 1.6km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 260m has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Katoomba Falls to Echo Point via Prince Henry Cliff Walk walk.

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Katoomba Falls to Echo Point via Prince Henry Cliff Walk walk.

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Katoomba Falls to Echo Point via Prince Henry Cliff Walk walk starts at the Katoomba Falls Kiosk (gps: -33.726453, 150.30400)

The Katoomba Falls to Echo Point via Prince Henry Cliff Walk ends at the Echo Point Information Center (gps: -33.732072, 150.31242)

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.

Comments