Fortress Ridge Trail

Download & Print Map and Notes

3 hrs

7.4 km Return

244 m

Moderate track

A fantastic return walk with stunning views, this track leads along the Fortress Ridge, out to the cliffs above the Grose Valley. The views from the lookout and along the trail are superb, with the sheer cliffs and a deep valley to put it all in perspective. The track is popular with canyoners, who use it to access Fortress Canyon.

Lockley's Pylon from Fortress Ridge Track

View into the Grose Valley from Fortress Ridge lookout

(0km) Fortress Ridge car park → End of service trail

1.5 km

29 mins

48m

-36m Moderate track

From the car park (and 'Fortress Ridge' sign), this walk heads around the gate and up the hill. The management trail swings right for approximately 50m then turns left. The trail leads to an area of low heath, then tends right (down the hill) for approximately 100m before coming to an intersection.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads down the hill in a northerly direction. The trail soon rises up a slight hill, passing low heath on the left before continuing up the hill. The walk then flattens out for approximately 200m before slowly rising up another hill for approximately 100m more, coming to an intersection with a smaller track on the left.

(1km) End of service trail → Western Trail Split

220 m

5 mins

11m

-1m Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection, the walk heads west up the hill, following the bush track. The track soon comes into view of a knoll, with a rock feature at its head. The track continues to the intersection below this feature.
Veer right: From the intersection, the walk heads up the hill of the knoll, keeping the rock feature to the left of the track. The track continues down the other side, soon coming to an intersection.

(2km) Western Trail Split → Fortress Canyon Entry Trk

270 m

6 mins

15m

-5m Moderate track

Veer right: From the intersection, this walk heads down the hill, then over a small hill with denser bushland, before coming to a defined 'Y' intersection in the track.

(2km) Fortress Canyon Entry Trk → Fortress Canyon Exit Trk

1.6 km

33 mins

56m

-61m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk does not follow the track marked by the arrow on the rock, but instead heads over a large grey rock surface. The track heads across the ridgeline, undulating over four knolls. The track passes through areas of trees and open heath then turns north, off the last knoll. From this last knoll, the track heads down the spur line, nearing the cliffs on the left. On the spur line, the track comes to an intersection with another track on the right (which heads down into the valley).

(4km) Fortress Canyon Exit Trk → Fortress Ridge Lookout

130 m

3 mins

-9m Moderate track

Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the spurline towards the large valley and views of cliffs. The track continues down into a saddle and up to a lookout, near a few bushes on the edge of the cliff.

Fortress Ridge

Fortress Ridge lookout has stunning views over the Grose Valley to Govetts Leap, Horseshoe Falls and Blackheath. From the lookout, the vista to the west includes the impressive Lockley's Pylon, with Mount Hay in the background.

Maps for the Fortress Ridge Trail 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.

Katoomba	1:25 000 Map Series	89301S KATOOMBA	NSW-89301S
Katoomba	1:100 000 Map Series	8930 KATOOMBA	8930

Cross sectional view of the Fortress Ridge Trail bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Fortress Ridge Trail

Altitude analysis for Fortress Ridge Trail

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	7.4 km
		Time	3 hrs
		.
Grade 3/6 Moderate track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
		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	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

This whole walk, 3.7km has short steep hills.

Quality of track

This whole walk, 3.7km follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.

Signs

This whole walk, 3.7km has directional signs at most intersection.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 3.7km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 3.7km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

This whole walk, 3.7km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Fortress Ridge Trail walk.

Govetts Creek Lookout

2.9 km Return, 1 hr 30 mins

This side trail from Fortress Ridge provides access to a fantastic lookout with breathtaking views along the valley and of the amazing sandstone cliffs. The walk to the lookout is mostly along management trails through the lovely heath. The views from the lookout extend across the large valley (Gov

Total climbing: 115m

Moderate track

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Fortress Ridge Trail walk.

Flat Top

1 km Return, 30 mins

The walk to the summit of Flat Top is a very short climb. A treat awaits at the summit, with a near-360 degree view of the surrounding valleys, including the Grose Valley. There are also great views to other features including Mt Hay and Lockley Pylon. The walk and mountain itself may be short, but

Total climbing: 46m

Moderate track

Lockley Pylon

6.8 km Return, 3 hrs 15 mins

Lockley Pylon Track is an outstanding walk, offering some amazing views and interesting side trips. From Mt Hay Rd, the walk passes the prominent features of the Pinnacles (with an optional side trip exploring these) and climbs to Lockley Pylon, which gives 360-degree views of the Mt Hay area and Gr

Total climbing: 338m

Hard track

Lockey Pylon to Blackheath Station

16.5 km One way, 2 Days

This walk starts in the low heath and cliff views of Lockley Pylon. The pylon, and other notable features, can be seen along the track, while the descent down to the Blue Gum Forest provides plenty of photographic opportunities. After camping overnight at Acacia Flats, the walk heads out via Govetts

Total climbing: 1295m

Hard track

Beauchamp Falls

3.1 km Return, 2 hrs

The walk from Evans Lookout to Beauchamp Falls is magical journey, passing through the bottom part of the Grand Canyon. The views from Evans lookout are stunning, with the lush canyon environment providing a very different environment to enjoy. The walk then continues down the creek to Beauchamp Fa

Total climbing: 350m

Hard track

Evans Lookout, Horse Track to Beauchamp Falls

6.4 km Circuit, 4 hrs

This walk could also be known as the long way round to Beauchamp Falls. The Horse Track is poorly defined towards the bottom the walk and may challenge your navigation. This walk explores Govetts and Greaves Creeks and the Beauchamp Falls. The western section of track is part of the Grand Canyon wa

Total climbing: 695m

Very experienced only

Evans Lookout to Junction Rock

10.7 km Circuit, 6 hrs 30 mins

The walk from Evans Lookout takes a very scenic route down into the valley before returning along the scenic Cliff Top walk. The track takes in a wide variety of vegetation as it changes altitude. Be sure to keep your eyes open for the colourful fungi along the track, and the ferns attached to the c

Total climbing: 955m

Hard track

Grand Canyon Track

5.4 km Circuit, 3 hrs 30 mins

This classic walk was first established in 1907, taking walkers along the path of a canyon. In places, the track follows a path cut halfway up the cliff, keeping you out of the most dangerous section of the canyon. The creek does flood after heavy rain, so check with the National Parks office befo

Total climbing: 425m

Hard track

Grand Canyon, Cliff Top and Braeside Walks

9.3 km Circuit, 4 hrs 30 mins

The Grand Canyon, Cliff Top and Braeside tracks are an excellent way to see the great diversity of the Blue Mountains National Park in the Blackheath area, from the Neates Glen rain forest, through the void of the Grand Canyon, to the separation of plateau and valley by the Cliff Top walk. The walk

Total climbing: 603m

Hard track

Braeside Walk

2.5 km Return, 1 Hr

The Braeside Walk is an excellent connecting trail to the Cliff Top walk, between Evans and Govetts Lookouts. The track has its own quiet picnic area, which could make a nice spot for lunch along this creekside walk. The track builds up to its climax at Barrows Lookout, overlooking the Grose Valley

Total climbing: 72m

Hard track

Hay Monolith

2 km Circuit, 1 Hr

This walk follows the exposed ridges of the Mt Hay area, taking in an interesting array of low heath, wildflowers and insects which add to the surrounding scenery. The track rounds the Hay Monolith, a large mass of rock that stands alone. An optional side trip offers views over the cliffs and to th

Total climbing: 102m

Moderate track

Mt Hay

3.1 km Return, 1 hr 45 mins

This is an excellent walk across the exposed ridges of the Mt Hay area. There are great views of the swamps below Mt Hay and further into the Grose Valley. The basalt-capped Mt Hay provides a change in vegetation towards the top of the hill, which also blocks the view from the top.

Total climbing: 194m

Hard track

Mt Hay and Hay Monolith

4.6 km Circuit, 2 hrs

This walk combines the Mt Hay and Hay Monolith trails. The track takes in the best of the exposed ridges, with views into the swamps and the Grose Valley. Walkers will pass by many rock formations and wild flowers in the low heath. The summit of Mt Hay does not give views of the region, but the trac

Total climbing: 273m

Hard track

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Fortress Ridge Trail walk starts and ends at the Fortress Ridge car park (gps: -33.658099, 150.36420)

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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