Leura Cascades Circuit

Download & Print Map and Notes

30 mins

844 m Circuit

62 m

Moderate track

Following Leura Creek down to a beautiful small waterfall, this is one of the prettiest short walks in the Leura area. Sit under the overhang and watch as the falls cascade down around you, then climb to great views of the Leura cliffline, before this circuit track leads back to the park.

Leura Cascades Picnic Area

Leura Cascades Picnic area is a open picnic area beside Cliff Drive, with Leura Cascades Creek running through the middle. There are a number of small cascades in the park, along with toilets and picnic tables. There are a few information signs and maps of the area. The park is well remembered for the artificial caves and arches that have been built to provide shelter and a sense of place. A small road runs through the park, providing access and parking, and garbage facilities are provided. There is also plenty of shade from some large pine trees.

(0km) Leura Cascades Picnic Area → Int of Prince Henry Cliff Walk and Leura Cascades Picnic Area Track

120 m

3 mins

-9m Easy track

From cave-like shelters in Leura Cascades Picnic Area, this walk heads along the footpath, passing under the arch. Passing the toilet block, the path comes to the information board, from where the walk follows the 'Leura Cascades Track' sign down the steps. The path soon leads to a small stone wall with a view of some cascades and Chelmsford Bridge. From the view of Chelmsford Bridge, this walk follows track downhill, keeping the handrail and creek to the left, soon coming to an intersection with 'Prince Henry Cliff Walk' just before a footbridge.

(0km) Int of Prince Henry Cliff Walk and Leura Park Track → Int of Prince Henry Cliff Walk and Leura Cascades Round Walk (NE)

30 m

0m Easy track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Leura Cascades' sign across the footbridge to a 'Y' intersection.

(0km) Int of Prince Henry Cliff Walk and Leura Cascades Round Walk (NE) → Leura Cascades

170 m

4 mins

-13m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Leura Cascades' sign down the steps, keeping the handrail and creek to the right. After a short while, the walk heads along a timber platform and down some stairs to a rock platform, with great views of some cascades. From these cascades, the walk heads down more stairs, coming to an intersection just before two bridges, with great views of Leura Cascades.

Leura Cascades

Leura Cascades is a lovely set of waterfalls with some bridges just below, allowing walkers to get up close to the creek. The area has a nice feel about it and is quite cool in summer. Much of the track near the cascades has handrails and the bridges are fenced. Allow some time to enjoy life among the cascades and fern trees in this valley. One bridge leads to a sandstone cave next to the pool and falls, a great place to enjoy the small section of canyon.

(0km) Leura Cascades → Round Walk Lookout

90 m

4 mins

-30m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the bottom of Leura Cascades, this walk crosses the bridge (furthest from the falls), heads down the steps and comes to a fenced (unsignposted) lookout at the top of Bridal Veil Falls. From the lookout, the walk heads up the steep steps. The steps wind up the hill passing a cave with an old bench seat, then up the metal stairs to the fenced (unsignposted) round walk lookout with views down on Bridal Veil Falls.

(0km) Round Walk Lookout → Int of Leura Cascades Round Walk and Fern Bower Track

20 m

1 mins

18m

0m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the lookout, the walk heads up the metal staircases then along the fenced cliff ledge, with more great valley views. Soon the track heads down a few steps to come to a a four-way intersection, with a sign pointing back to 'Leura Cascades' (and the short left-hand track leading to a fenced (unnamed) lookout.

(0km) Int of Leura Cascades Round Walk and Fern Bower Track → Int of Prince Henry Cliff Walk and the Leura Int of Prince Henry Cliff and Cascades Round Walk (SW)

70 m

2 mins

20m

0m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Round Walk - Echo Point' sign along the track up the hill (with rock wall initially on the right). The track winds up the hill using the steps and, after passing a large gum, the track become less steep. Soon the track leads to an intersection with the signposted 'Prince Henry Cliff Walk'.

(0km) Int of Prince Henry Cliff Walk and the Leura Int of Prince Henry Cliff and Cascades Round Walk (SW) → Int of Prince Henry Cliff Walk and Majestic Lookout Track

50 m

1 mins

-7m Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the sign along the 'Prince Henry Cliff Walk' towards 'Leura Cascades', taking the higher track. The track heads along the side of the hill to come to a three-way intersection, just after passing a rock wall on the left.

(1km) Int of Prince Henry Cliff Walk and Majestic Lookout Track → Majestic Lookout

30 m

1 mins

-13m Moderate track

Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the track away from the rocks down the narrow spur. The track soon comes to a rusty fence that leads to the signposted 'Majestic Lookout' and then down some steps to the lower platform. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Veer right.

Majestic Lookout

Majestic Lookout is a fenced lookout on a side track from the Prince Henry Cliff Walk, just above Leura Cascades. The lookout provides great (perhaps even majestic) views out through the top of the valley, with Mount Solitary nicely framed by the cliff line. The closest access to the lookout is from Leura Cascades Picnic Area, and is visited as part of the Leura Cascades Circuit.

(1km) Int of Prince Henry Cliff Walk and Majestic Lookout Track → Int of Prince Henry Cliff Walk and Leura Park Track

190 m

4 mins

11m

-6m Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk steps up over a few rocks to keep the main rock outcrop on the left (and the valley and waterfall on the right). The track soon passes a small overhang with a bench seat, and gently winds along the side of the hill. After heading down the stairs, the track come to a 'T' intersection, with a handrail and a sign pointing back up to 'Echo Point'.

(1km) Int of Prince Henry Cliff Walk and Leura Cascades Picnic Area Track → Leura Cascades Picnic Area

120 m

3 mins

0m Easy track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Picnic Area' sign up the gentle hill, keeping the handrail and creek on the right. The track soon comes to a stone wall with a view of some cascades and Chelmsford Bridge. From the view of Chelmsford Bridge, this walk heads up the steps, following the path past an information board, toilet and under the arch to come to Leura Cascades Picnic Area.

Maps for the Leura Cascades Circuit 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 Leura Cascades Circuit bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Leura Cascades Circuit

Altitude analysis for Leura Cascades Circuit

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	844 m
		Time	30 mins
		.
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	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
		Weather	Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)
		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

540m of this walk has short steep hills and another 260m has gentle hills with occasional steps. The remaining (45m) is flat with no steps.

Quality of track

Around 660m of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail, whilst the remaining 180m follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.

Signs

Around 820m of this walk is clearly signposted, whilst the remaining 20m has directional signs at most intersection.

Experience Required

Around 660m of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 180m requires some bushwalking experience.

weather

Around 670m of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 170m is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.

Infrastructure

Around 520m of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 330m has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Leura Cascades Circuit walk.

Round Walk- (Leura Cascades Loop)

844 m Circuit, 30 mins

This is a short walk out from the beautiful Leura Park. The walk heads past cliffs, the cascades, large ferns and even a historic bridge. The walk is a great one to do between meals at a picnic. Leura Cascades themselves are a great set of waterfalls, and worth taking the camera for.

Total climbing: 62m

Moderate track

Leura Park to Copelands Lookout

1.5 km Return, 1 Hr

The walk out to Copelands Lookout and back is a walk with some variety. The track winds down past some cascades, then past some views into the Jamison Valley and then another view of the cascades. This walk is capped off with the view from Copelands Lookout before returning to Leura Park.

Total climbing: 99m

Moderate track

Leura Cascades to Gordon Falls Reserve

1.8 km One way, 1 hr 15 mins

From Leura Park to Gordon Falls Park, this diverse walk offers fantastic views of the Jamison Valley, as well as two great side trips down to some smaller waterfalls. Don't be fooled by their size - they are quite beautiful. Be sure to allow extra time for the side trips (especially Gordon Falls),

Total climbing: 200m

Moderate track

Echo Point to Leura Cascades

3.2 km One way, 1 hr 45 mins

Starting at Australia's most popular lookout and passing one of the most beautiful sets of waterfalls in this part of the park, this is one of the most breathtaking cliff walks around Katoomba. Signposted as part of the Prince Henry Cliff Walk, this walk passes stunning lookouts including Copelands,

Total climbing: 204m

Moderate track

Carrington Park to Bridal View Lookout

3.3 km Return, 1 hr 30 mins

This walk explores the area around the wonderful Leura Cascades. The track includes many of the great viewing points for the falls. The walk also provides some other great views out across the Jamison Valley. A wonderful walk to enjoy the Bridal View lookout.

Total climbing: 224m

Moderate track

Leura Park to Gordon Falls Lookout

3.6 km Return, 2 hrs

Starting at Leura Park, this walk passes above Leura Cascades before working its way along the route of Prince Henry's Cliff Walk. The walk winds past many lookouts with brilliant views over the Jamison Valley. The views are even more exceptional from the turn-around point at Gordon Falls Lookout.

Total climbing: 380m

Moderate track

Leura to Katoomba via Dardanelles Pass

6.6 km One way, 4 hrs

With approximately equal parts cliff-walk and forest track, this track truly shows what the cliff edges of the Jamison Valley have to offer, especially at Tarpeian and Fossil Rocks. There is a beautiful descent into the valley, as well as the mystique of Leura Forest, and a number of great spots to

Total climbing: 697m

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

This walk is relatively short and takes in some magnificent views. The walk visits Olympian, Bridal Veil View and Tarpeian Lookouts, which are all perched high on top of the cliffs. A great walk, exploring some of the quieter, but still very spectacular, lookouts in the Blue Mountains.

Total climbing: 170m

Moderate track

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Leura Cascades Circuit walk starts and ends at the Leura Cascades Picnic Area (gps: -33.719623, 150.32240)

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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