Zig-Zag Railway Walk

Download & Print Map and Notes

1 hr 45 mins

4.6 km Return

245 m

Moderate track

With a steam train ride from the end of the walk back to the start, the Zig-Zag Railway Walk is a very interesting one. Climbing to the ridges above the railway, this walk offers walkers the opportunity to watch the train as it puffs and hoots it's way from Clarence Station to Bottom Points Station. And that's even before you have a chance to get on the train and rest all the way back to the start, or alternatively retrace your steps back.

(0km) Clarence Station → Int of Leap Junction and Railway Tracks

690 m

13 mins

27m

-4m Moderate track

From the station car park, this walk heads across the railway tracks to the picnic tables and information signs saying 'Zig-Zag Railway', next to the railway station. From here, the walk turns and heads behind the buildings and parallel to the old railway tracks. After a short while, the track comes to an intersection with a management trail on the right, that heads away from the railway tracks.

(1km) Int of Leap Junction and Railway Tracks → Leap Junction

860 m

19 mins

23m

-68m Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads away from the railway track and follows the small markers along the wide trail. Continuing past the fence (off to the right), the trail soon changes to a bush track, and then winds slightly down the hill. Heading up the other side, the track follows the markers along the ridge until reaching a lookout, signposted 'Leap Junction'. Once on the ridge, the surrounding environment is extremely barren and this provides some good views over the area, including the railway to the north-west.

(2km) Leap Junction → Bottom Points Railway Station

730 m

17 mins

-119m Moderate track

Turn right: From the lookout, this walk heads down the hill along a faint track, following the white markers. Gradually, this steepens until reaching a large rock platform, directly overlooking the railway station. From the rockshelf, the track steepens even further and metal railings, steps and bridges have been constructed to help with the descent. After a while, the walk crosses a small bridge and passes a signpost saying 'Zig Zag Walkway', entering into the railway station.

(2km) Bottom Points Railway Station → Clarence Station

6 km

45 mins

383m

-246m Very easy

Continue straight: From Bottom Points Railway Station, this walk takes a steam train back to Clarence Station. Steam services operate on: Weekends and Public Holidays, Wednesdays and NSW School Holidays (except Christmas Day). The trip takes approximately 40 minutes and run at 9:50, 11:50, 1:50 and 3:50. Adult fares are $17 one way. (Please check Zigzag Railway website for changes in information). More info.

Maps for the Zig-Zag Railway Walk 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.

Lithgow	1:25 000 Map Series	89313S LITHGOW	NSW-89313S
Wallerawang	1:100 000 Map Series	8931 WALLERAWANG	8931

Cross sectional view of the Zig-Zag Railway Walk bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Zig-Zag Railway Walk

Altitude analysis for Zig-Zag Railway Walk

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	4.6 km
		Time	1 hr 45 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	Clearly signposted (1/6)
		Experience Required	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
		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

860m of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 730m has short steep hills. The remaining (690m) is flat with no steps.

Quality of track

Around 1.6km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles, whilst the remaining 690m follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs

This whole walk, 2.3km is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

Around 1.6km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 690m requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 2.3km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

This whole walk, 2.3km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Zig-Zag Railway Walk walk.

Asgard Kiln and Mine

5.6 km Return, 2 hrs

The walk to the Asgard Kiln and Mine is a great, quick trip which passes through some interesting swamp environments. The track does not get bogged in the swamp but passes along a dry service trail and bush track. The Asgard Kiln and Mine is well worth the visit, but don't forget to take a torch!

Total climbing: 221m

Hard track

Pyramid Shaped Rock

4.2 km Return, 1 hr 30 mins

Pyramid Shaped Rock, is a rock shaped (somewhat) like a pyramid. It is a great place to camp the night, with a flat clear area for your tent, or a nice place to stop for lunch on a day trip. The rock is adjacent to a swamp with water (normally), and the rock's proximity to Thor and Asgard Head walks

Total climbing: 154m

Moderate track

Thor Head

6.4 km Return, 2 hrs 30 mins

The walk to Thor Head has some breathtaking views. The last part of the walk follows a large unfenced cliff line and there is no track for the last 1km. The views along the way are fantastic. If the climb up Thor Head is not for you, the views from the rocky knoll along the cliff line are just as sp

Total climbing: 305m

Very experienced only

Victoria Falls

3.1 km Return, 2 hrs

The Victoria Falls walk is a great way to get up close to an amazing cascade. The walk explores the top and bottom of the falls, with the chance to climb behind Victoria Falls. This walk heads down into a section of the Grose Valley from the end of Victoria Falls Rd. Although there is no where to s

Total climbing: 431m

Hard track

Victoria Falls and Grose Valley to Blackheath Station

22.5 km One way, 3 Days

This walk explores a fantastic section of the Grose Valley. Starting above Victoria Falls, the walk explores the cascades before dropping into the valley for the first nights rest at Burra Korain campsite. The walk then heads down through the valley to the Blue Gum Forest before camping at Acacia Fl

Total climbing: 1580m

Experienced only

Victoria Falls Lookout

206 m Return, 15 mins

This short, return walk takes you to the lookout above Victoria Falls. Despite the name, the lookout does not view Victoria Falls, but instead gives a magnificent view over the Grose Valley and the surrounding cliffs. There are better lookouts closer to Blackheath, but if you're in the area this ver

Total climbing: 15m

Moderate track

Victoria Falls Lookout to Blue Gum Forest

13.8 km One way, 8 hrs

This long day-walk follows a remote track down from Victoria Falls lookout, passing the waterfall, and into the Grose Valley, to the famous Blue Gum Forest, a scenic and historic highlight of this area. From the Blue Gum Forest, the walk climbs steeply to finish at Perry's Lookdown. You will need to

Total climbing: 1102m

Experienced only

Victoria Falls to Blackheath Station

22.2 km One way, 2 Days

This is a fantastic overnight walk with a sleep in Acacia Flats camping area. The Grose Valley, with its views of the Grose River and surrounding cliffs, gives a dramatic backdrop during most of this walk. The climbs up and down the valley give an appreciation of the scale of it all. Public transpor

Total climbing: 1561m

Experienced only

Victoria Falls to Pierces Pass

8.9 km One way, 2 Days

This is a magnificent overnight walk, allowing time to really explore the area. Enjoying views of Victoria Falls and other cascades makes a great way to start this walk. The campsite of Burra Korain Flats is not as popular as Acacia Flats, enhancing the serenity of the Grose Valley. The walk out via

Total climbing: 854m

Experienced only

Pierces Pass, Blue Gum Forest, Acacia Flats to Perrys Lookdown

10.4 km One way, 5 hrs 30 mins

If you can organise the car shuttle or taxi, this is a great day walk. The track descends from the walls of Pierces Pass into another world along the Grose River, with its tall Blue Gum Forest. The optional side trip to Acacia Flats provides a great place to stop for lunch, and a toilet stop, before

Total climbing: 774m

Experienced only

Pierces Pass to Blue Gum Forest

14 km Return, 6 hrs 30 mins

This walk explores a beautiful section of the Grose Valley from Bells Line of Road. The walk heads down Pierces Pass and follows the magnificent Grose River to the Blue Gum Forest. The Blue Gum Forest is an icon of Blue Mountains bushwalking and this track gives you a great way to reach it. You th

Total climbing: 812m

Experienced only

Pierces Pass to Blackheath Station

17.6 km One way, 9 hrs

This walk explores a section of the Grose River and the flats around the superb Blue Gum Forest. The track then climbs up to Govetts Leap Lookout and along Pope's Glen to Blackheath. The hard yakka will be rewarded by some superb views of blue gums, the gorge, waterfalls and cliffs. This walk is

Total climbing: 1225m

Experienced only

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Zig-Zag Railway Walk walk starts and ends at the Clarence Station (gps: -33.477719, 150.22097)

Car. There is free parking available.<br /> (get details)

Weather Forecast

This walk starts in the Central Tablelands weather district.

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Park Information

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