Katoomba Kiosk to Katoomba Falls

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Time 45 mins
Return 1.1 km Return
Climb 116 m
Grade 3 Moderate track
Bus Car
no_pets
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 off on the walk, or for a coffee afterwards.

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 Track and Prince Henry Cliff Walk

distance 50 m time 1 mins climb 0m descent -2m Easy 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'.

(0km) Int of Katoomba Kiosk Track and Prince Henry Cliff Walk → Int of Katoomba Kiosk Loop and Witches Leap Track

distance 30 m time 1 mins climb 0m descent -5m Moderate track
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 Katoomba Kiosk Loop and Witches Leap Track → Witches Leap

distance 130 m time 4 mins climb 4m descent -20m Moderate track
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Katoomba Falls Track' sign down the hill, winding down a few sets of wooden steps as it passes a small rest area at a rock overhang, and continues down through the gully to the Witches Leap Lookout.

(0km) Witches Leap → Int of Katoomba Falls Round Walk and Furber Steps

distance 130 m time 3 mins climb 2m descent -13m Easy track
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the track heading down the hill, winding down some wooden steps that zigzag back down towards the creek, which it crosses at the footbridge. The walk then continues up a short hill and along through the forest, winding down a few more sets of wooden steps before coming to the signposted intersection of the Furber Steps track.

(0km) Int of Katoomba Falls Round Walk and Furber Steps → Rainforest Lookout

distance 10 m time climb 0m descent -1m Moderate track
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Base of Scenic Railway' signpost down the wooden steps to the bottom, where it comes to the Rainforest Lookout.

Rainforest Lookout

Rainforest Lookout
Unlike many lookouts in the area, Rainforest Lookout does not offer sweeping valley views. Instead, this lookout offers an opportunity to get up close and personal with the canopy of the rainforest. Spend some time in the cool shade listening to the birds and Witches Leap creek passing by. A sign at the lookout explains that there once were wood-fired barbeques here for picnics, but removed due to the toll on the local environment[1].

(0km) Rainforest Lookout → Int of Furber Steps and Katoomba Falls Lookout Track

distance 20 m time climb 1m descent 0m Moderate track
Turn right: From the Rainforest Lookout, the track follows the bush track heading past the base of the wooden steps and then through the forest for a short while, until it reaches the signposted intersection of the Underfalls Walk.

(0km) Int of Furber Steps and Katoomba Falls Lookout Track → Katoomba Falls

distance 180 m time 6 mins climb 1m descent -67m Easy track
Turn left : From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Underfalls Walk' sign down a short set of steps and across a small waterfall using the wooden bridge (This creek flows from Witches Leap all the way down to Veras Grotto). Once past the falls, the track continues through the rainforest, winding along the well-defined path until arriving at Katoomba Falls Lookout, right at the base of the falls.

Katoomba Falls

Katoomba Falls
The Katoomba Falls are among the most famous waterfalls in the the Blue Mountains region. The Kedumba River falls about 150 meters in 2 main stages. The Undercliff Track, from the Furber Steps, can be used to access the first landing of the waterfall. The Katoomba Falls can be viewed from most lookouts in the the area, including from the bottom of the falls at Cooks Landing on Federal Pass, or from the track running next to the Kedumba River at the top of the falls. These falls are also a highlight for the trip across the Scenic Skyway.

Maps for the Katoomba Kiosk to Katoomba Falls 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 Kiosk to Katoomba Falls bushwalking track

Terrain profile for Katoomba Kiosk to Katoomba Falls

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Katoomba Kiosk to Katoomba Falls

Altitude analysis for Katoomba Kiosk to Katoomba Falls

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.

Length1.1 km
Time45 mins
.




Grade 3/6



Moderate track
AS 2156.1GradientShort steep hills (3/6)
Quality of trackFormed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
SignsClearly signposted (1/6)
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

340m of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 160m has short steep hills. The remaining (50m) is flat with no steps.

Quality of track

Around 540m of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail, whilst the remaining 15m follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.

Signs

This whole walk, 550m is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 550m requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 550m is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

Around 530m of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 25m has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Katoomba Kiosk to Katoomba Falls walk.

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Katoomba Kiosk to Katoomba Falls walk.

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Katoomba Kiosk to Katoomba Falls walk starts and ends at the Katoomba Falls Kiosk (gps: -33.726453, 150.30400)

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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