National Pass
Closed:
Conservation Hut
(0km) Conservation Hut → Int of Valley of the Waters and Queen Victoria Tracks
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Valley of the Waters' sign down the steps, passing an information sign. After the handrail and more signs, the track passes a couple of faint tracks (on the left, leading to an old picnic area). Further down the steps, the walk comes the end of another handrail and a three-way intersection (signposted 'Overcliff Track' and 'National Pass').
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'National Pass - Valley of the Waters' sign down the timber steps. The track passes a few faint tracks (on the left, that lead to an unfenced view point). The walk continues down the steps, soon coming to an unsignposted intersection with the Lyrebird Cliff track (on a small sandstone rock platform).
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads down the wooden steps to almost immediately come to the signposted intersection with 'Queen Victoria Lookout' track.
(0km) Int of Valley of the Waters and Queen Victoria Tracks → Queen Victoria Lookout
Queen Victoria Lookout
(0km) Int of Valley of the Waters and Queen Victoria Tracks → Empress Lookout
Empress Lookout
(0km) Empress Lookout → Int of Valley of the Waters and Nature Tracks
(0km) Int of Valley of the Waters and Nature Tracks → Empress Falls Crossing
Empress Falls
(1km) Empress Falls Crossing → Lodore Falls
Lodore Falls
(1km) Lodore Falls → Int of Valley of the Waters and National Pass Tracks
(1km) Int of Valley of the Waters and National Pass Tracks → Top of the Slack Stairs
(2km) Top of the Slack Stairs → Middle Wentworth Falls
Middle of Wentworth Falls
(2km) Middle Wentworth Falls → Rocket Point Creek Intersection
Grand Stairway
(3km) Rocket Point Creek Intersection → Top of Wentworth Falls
Queen's Cascades
(3km) Top of Wentworth Falls → Wentworth Falls Lookout
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Undercliff Track' sign, keeping the main valley to the left. The walk soon heads up a gentle set of steps and comes to a four-way intersection with 'Fletchers Lookout' (not far to the left).
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Wentworth Falls Picnic area' sign up the steps, away from 'Fletchers Lookout'. Soon the track comes to a 'T' intersection, with a sign pointing back to 'Wentworth Falls'.
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Wentworth Falls Picnic Area' sign up the log steps. The track soon passes some views to the left and then comes to an intersection (at a sharp right-hand bend), with a track closed at the time of writing. Here there is a sign pointing back to 'Wentworth Falls - National Pass'.
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads up the steps, following 'Wentworth Falls Picnic Area' signs. The walk soon heads through a sharp left bend, then continues up the hill, passing several information signs. At the top of the steps, the track breaks out to Wentworth Falls Lookout on Sir H. Burrell Drive.
Wentworth Falls Lookout
(3km) Wentworth Falls Lookout → Int of Sir H. Burrell Drive and Princes Rock Track
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads up the steps, following the 'Car Park' arrow. The track soon passes a sign pointing back to 'Princes Rock Lookout' and comes to the footpath on the side of Sir H. Burrell Drive.
(3km) Int of Sir H. Burrell Drive and Princes Rock Track → Jamison Lookout
Jamison Lookout
(4km) Jamison Lookout → Sir H. Burrell Drive Car Park (Nth)
Wentworth Falls Picnic Area
(4km) Sir H. Burrell Drive Carpark (Nth) → Int of Shortcut and Breakfast Point Lookout Tracks
(4km) Int of Shortcut and Breakfast Point Lookout Tracks → Conservation Hut
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk heads north along the 'Shortcut' track, heading away from Wentworth Falls picnic area. Soon the track turns left and crosses a small creek using a bridge. From the creek, the track gradually heads up the hill via log steps. Soon the walk comes to a 'T' intersection where there are several signs, including one pointing up towards 'Conservation Hut' and another down to the 'Valley of the Waters'.
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads up the steps towards the building. The walk passes a couple of picnic shelters (on the right) before coming to the road and the front of the 'Conservation Hut'.
Maps for the National Pass 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 National Pass bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the National Pass

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 | 3 hrs 30 mins | ||
| . | |||
Grade 4/6 Hard track | AS 2156.1 | Gradient | Very steep (4/6) |
| 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
2.1km of this walk has short steep hills and another 1km has gentle hills with occasional steps. Whilst another 970m is flat with no steps and the remaining 490m is very steep.
Quality of track
2.4km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail and another 1.5km follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles. The remaining (670m) follows a smooth and hardened path.
Signs
Around 2.8km of this walk is clearly signposted, whilst the remaining 1.9km has directional signs at most intersection.
Experience Required
Around 2.4km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 2.2km requires no previous bushwalking experience.
weather
Around 2.3km of this walk is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety, whilst the remaining 2.3km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
Around 4.2km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 430m has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).
Similar walks
A list of walks that share part of the track with the National Pass walk.
Scenic Railway - Ruined Castle - Mt Solitary - Kedumba River - Wentworth Falls
29.3 km One way, 3 Days
Experienced only
Other Nearby walks
A list of walks that start near the National Pass walk.
Plan your trip to and from the walk here
The National Pass walk starts and ends at the Conservation Hut (gps: -33.720216, 150.36290)
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.
Comments
Short URL: http://wild.tl/tnpt