Lockley Pylon

Download & Print Map and Notes

3 hrs 15 mins

6.8 km Return

338 m

Hard track

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 Grose Valley. Another optional side trip to Fortress Canyon Waterfall is well worth the walk, with its contrasting plateau, cliff and valley features creating some breath-taking scenery.

Lockleys Pylon Track below The Pinnacles

(0km) Lockley car park → Middle Pinnacle

360 m

10 mins

46m

-3m Moderate track

From the car park, this walk heads past the sign for 'Lockley Pylon Track' and another sign with a map on it. The track leads up a slight hill to tend right, along the edge of a spur. The track slowly climbs to the southern pinnacle (rocky outcrop) and then continues approximately 100m to the intersection below the middle pinnacle.

(0km) Middle Pinnacle → Mt Stead Trk

1.5 km

34 mins

72m

-68m Hard track

Veer right: From the intersection, the walk heads up the hill towards the large rock features. The track continues for approximately 100m to an intersection on the left of a large rock.
Veer right: From the intersection, the walk heads around the large white rock (close to the intersection), soon coming to a small cave.
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk keeps the Pinnacles above to the right of the track, passing the most northern Pinnacle before coming to an intersection.
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads up the hill away from the Pinnacles. The track then descends a further 100m into a sandy and flat saddle, until the track rises out up the next hill. The track ascends the hill to gently undulate across the plateau, through the trees. The track then opens out onto a clearing where it continues up the hill for approximately 200m to the intersection on the next rise. The intersection is marked by a rocky outcrop to the left of the track.

(2km) Mt Stead Trk → Lockley Pylon

1.6 km

37 mins

82m

-76m Moderate track

Turn sharp left: From the intersection, this walk heads off the main track to the rock feature, the summit of Mt Stead.
Turn around: From Mt Stead, this walk heads away from the rock feature on the knoll, to the intersection with the main track.
Turn left: From Mt Stead, this walk heads towards the surrounding valleys, leaving the rock feature behind on the left of the track. The track enters the tree line on the other side of the knoll and meanders through the trees for approximately 400m to open out onto a clearing. The track heads down through the clearing to pass to the right of two knolls. The track crosses the saddle and heads up the stairs on Lockley Pylon to a sign marked intersection.
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the sign to 'Lockley Pylon' up the wooden stairs to the summit of Lockley Pylon. This is marked by a stone cairn.

Lockley Pylon

Lockley Pylon, Blue Mountains National Park, gives 360 degree views of the Mt Hay area with excellent scope over Fortress Creek Waterfall and into the Grose Valley.

(3km) Lockley Pylon → Fortress Lookout

160 m

5 mins

-46m Experienced only

Veer left: From Lockley Pylon, this walk heads south-west down the hill, keeping the valley to the right. The track heads down two short cliffs then wanders out to a point overlooking Fortress Creek waterfall. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn left.

Maps for the Lockley Pylon 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 Lockley Pylon bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Lockley Pylon

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	6.8 km
		Time	3 hrs 15 mins
		.
Grade 4/6 Hard track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
		Quality of track	Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
		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, 3.4km has short steep hills.

Quality of track

Around 2.1km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles, whilst the remaining 1.3km follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely.

Signs

This whole walk, 3.4km has directional signs at most intersection.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 3.4km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 3.4km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

This whole walk, 3.4km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Lockley Pylon walk.

Perry's Lookdown to Lockley Pylon

8.1 km One way, 5 hrs 30 mins

This walk drops steeply from Perry's Lookdown, with views of Lockley Pylon on the opposite side of the valley, then climbs up to Lockley Pylon, with views back over Perry's Lookdown. The track has some fantastic views up and down the Grose Valley, and an excellent half way point, in the majestic Blu

Total climbing: 797m

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

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Lockley Pylon 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

Fortress Ridge Trail

7.4 km Return, 3 hrs

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

Total climbing: 244m

Moderate track

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

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

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

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

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Lockley Pylon walk starts and ends at the Lockley car park (gps: -33.651076, 150.37163)

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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