Nellie's Glen Lookout

Download & Print Map and Notes

1 Hr

2 km Return

117 m

Moderate track

This walk has heritage interest and views, starting at the famous Explorers Tree and finishing with views of the cliffs from Nellie's Glen lookout. The briefness of this walk makes it a great way to finish your 6 Foot Track walk if you have come from Jenolan. It's also a great way to start the 6 Foot Track by seeing the terrain.

Explorers Tree (Katoomba)

In 1813, the explorers Gregory Blaxland, William Wentworth and William Lawson, on their historic crossing of the Blue Mountains, engraved their names not only into the history books, but also reportedly into this tree on the side of Pulpit Hill. The tree now long dead was caged[1] in 1884 in an attempt to preserve the engravings[2]. The engravings are no longer visible[3] and there is even debate over the last 100+ years as to the authenticity of the engravings.

(0km) Explorers Tree → Six Foot Track Info Shelter

260 m

5 mins

-6m Easy track

From the 'Explorers Tree'[5] (at the intersection of Nellies Glen Rd and the Great Western Hwy), this walk follows the 'Six Foot Track - 200m' sign[6] up along the sealed Nellies Glen Rd[7] for just over 200m before turning left at another 'Six Foot Track' sign[8]. Here the walk comes to a dirt car park[9] and shelter[10] with a large 'Six Foot Track' information sign[11].

(0km) Six Foot Track Info Shelter → Int of 6 Foot Track and Norths Lookout Trail

550 m

12 mins

-68m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the shelter and car park (on Nellies Glen Rd), this walk follows the 'Six Foot Track' sign[12] around the lower locked metal gate to follow the management trail gently downhill[13]. The walk continues down this trail, which becomes fairly steep in places, for about 500m. Here the trail flattens out and comes to an intersection marked with a couple of 'Six Foot Track' signs[14] and a 'Nellies Glen Bushland Restoration' sign[15].

(1km) Int of 6 Foot Track and Norths Lookout Trail → Norths Lookout

210 m

6 mins

-32m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection[16], this walk heads through the gap in the large metal gate, over a small rise. The fairly narrow track soon leads down a series of timber steps[17], past some nice views for just shy of 150m to come to a faint intersection with a track (on your left), marked with a 'Bonnie Doon Fauna Study' sign[18].
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the track downhill towards the open views[19]. After about 50m the track comes to the fenced[20] and signposted 'Norths Lookout'[21] with great views over Nellie's Glen and into the valley[22].

Maps for the Nellie's Glen Lookout 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 Nellie's Glen Lookout bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Nellie's Glen Lookout

Altitude analysis for Nellie's Glen Lookout

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	2 km
		Time	1 Hr
		.
Grade 3/6 Moderate track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
		Quality of track	Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
		Signs	Clearly signposted (1/6)
		Experience Required	No experience required (1/6)
		Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
		Infrastructure	Limited 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

550m of this walk has short steep hills and another 260m is flat with no steps. The remaining (210m) has gentle hills with occasional steps.

Quality of track

This whole walk, 1km follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs

This whole walk, 1km is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 1km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 1km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

Around 810m of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 210m has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Nellie's Glen Lookout walk.

Farnell Road to Nellies Glen Lookout return

2.2 km Return, 1 hr 30 mins

This short walk explores the Blue Mountains National Park just west of Katoomba, winding around the cliff tops to the Nellies Glen lookout, and offering a side trip to the Therabulat Lookout, both of which provide great views across the Megalong Valley. This walk can be enjoyed by the whole family a

Total climbing: 215m

Moderate track

Farnell Road to Explorers Tree

4 km Return, 2 hrs

This short walk takes you from the western end of Katoomba, initially following the cliff line, then following Pulpit Hill Road to the Explorers Tree. There are optional side trips to lookouts, providing great views across the Megalong Valley. In addition to the great views, the walk provides the op

Total climbing: 302m

Moderate track

Devil's Hole Trail

7 km One way, 3 hrs 30 mins

Enjoying a variety of different environments, Devil's Hole trail descends into the valley below Katoomba via the Six Foot Track, before rising up through the difficult, and often slippery, Devil's Hole. This is definitely one of the more difficult trails in the area. Walkers can enjoy great views fr

Total climbing: 572m

Very experienced only

Six Foot Track

44.8 km One way, 3 Days

This classic walk takes you from Katoomba to Jenolan Caves via a historic horse route. The walk travels mainly along well-maintained service tracks and explores Nellie's Glen, Megalong Valley, Cox's River, Black Range, and Jenolan. There are well established and popular campsites along the way.

Total climbing: 2066m

Hard track

Six Foot Track (Alum Creek Reserve)

44.8 km One way, 2 Days

The Six Foot Track is a classic walk which takes you from the Explorers Tree in Katoomba out to the amazing Jenolan Caves. This walk stays the night in Alum Creek Reserve before tackling the long hill up to Black Range Road. The walk is a classic and normally done in 3 days, this two day option is f

Total climbing: 2066m

Hard track

Cox's River return via Narrowneck

47.8 km One way, 2 Days

This walk is a great, two day walk that drops down from Katoomba to Cox's River in the Megalong Valley. From the scenic Cox's River, the walk returns to Katoomba via Dunphy's campsite and Narrowneck. The trip is two solid days of walking that takes in some breathtaking views of the Blue Mountains. T

Total climbing: 2390m

Very experienced only

Cox's River return via Dunphy's campsite

47.8 km One way, 3 Days

This tough, three day walk descends from Katoomba to the peaceful Megalong Valley. It uses the Six Foot Track to navigate its way down to the Cox's River from where it returns to Katoomba via Dunphy's campsite and Narrowneck. The walk has some stunning panoramas which are complemented by the close-u

Total climbing: 2390m

Very experienced only

This classic trail follows along the base of the cliffs from Leura to the Golden Stairs, passing many of the more popular sights of the Katoomba region. Travelling through beautiful forest environments, this is one of the longer walks in the area. Leura Forest and Kedumba Falls are both great places

Total climbing: 989m

Hard track