Lapstone Bridge ZigZag walk

Download & Print Map and Notes

1 Hr

2 km Circuit

104 m

Hard track

This walk is more about history than the bush, but it still gives great views. The walk explores a small section of the old Lapstone Zig Zag railway (not to be confused with the more famous Lithgow Zig Zag railway). You will walk where the tracks once stood, through sandstone cuttings, passing an old train station, to the famous Knapsack Viaduct (bridge).

(0km) Car park → steps

220 m

5 mins

12m

-13m Easy track

From the Lapstone water reservoir car park, this walk heads towards the motorway (north), following the foot path on the left (western) side of the road. The walk continues down the hill and under the bridge. At the end of the cutting after the bridge, the walk comes to the base of a set of stairs.

(0km) Steps → Quarry

30 m

1 mins

0m Moderate track

Turn left: From here, the walk heads up the steps to the clearing at the top. This clearing is an old quarry and section of the original rail line. There is a bit of a 'rabbit warren' of tracks in this area.

(0km) Quarry → Intersection of cuttings

350 m

7 mins

18m

-6m Easy track

Turn right: From the quarry, the track heads north, initially across the gully then into the old railway cutting. The track then follow this old train line through several cuttings and, before long, comes across a junction of these cuttings. (The other track (not used by this walk, heads south, passing a few hundred meters west of the quarry.)

(1km) Intersection of cuttings → Siding

240 m

5 mins

13m

-7m Easy track

Veer right: The track continues north through a few more cuttings, and past an old platform. Soon after this, then the track comes onto the siding (a section of railway track used for storing trains) and at the end of the siding is an old lookout, giving views down the gully to Knapsack Bridge.

(1km) Siding → Knapsack Bridge

300 m

11 mins

10m

-54m Hard track

Turn sharp right: The walk follows the the track from the lookout down the ridge, initially turning south to come back parallel with the rail line until coming to a small track intersection. From here, the walk follows the track and stairs, winding down the hill. The track comes to the south-western corner of the bridge. After exploring the bridge footings, the track follows the defined path up to the southern end of the bridge.

(1km) Knapsack Bridge → Western Motorway Footpath

150 m

3 mins

-6m Very easy

Turn right: From Knapsack Bridge, the walk heads south along the old road, which soon comes to a locked gate. The walk continues around the gate and soon meets an intersection with a footpath, which heads south along the Great Western Highway.

(1km) Western Motorway Footpath → Steps

470 m

10 mins

30m

-1m Easy track

Turn right: This walk heads south along the footpath - it is far from a wilderness experience, walking along the highway, but serves as the most direct return route. The walk comes to the steps, next to the on-ramp.

(2km) steps → Car park

220 m

5 mins

13m

-12m Easy track

Continue straight: From the base of the steps (which lead to the old quarry), this walk heads south along the footpath that follows the on-ramp as it turns and goes under the bridge. Soon after the bridge, the walk stays left to stick to the track that brings you to the Lapstone water reservoir car park.

Maps for the Lapstone Bridge ZigZag 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.

Penrith	1:25 000 Map Series	90303N PENRITH	NSW-90303N
Penrith	1:100 000 Map Series	9030 PENRITH	9030

Cross sectional view of the Lapstone Bridge ZigZag walk bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Lapstone Bridge ZigZag walk

Altitude analysis for Lapstone Bridge ZigZag 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	2 km
		Time	1 Hr
		.
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	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

1.3km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 370m is flat with no steps. Whilst another 300m is very steep and the remaining 25m has short steep hills.

Quality of track

1.1km of this walk follows a smooth and hardened path and another 620m follows a clear and well formed track or trail. The remaining (300m) follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.

Signs

Around 1.6km of this walk is clearly signposted, whilst the remaining 330m has directional signs at most intersection.

Experience Required

Around 1.7km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 300m requires some bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 2km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

Around 1.6km 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).

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Lapstone Bridge ZigZag walk walk.

Lapstone train tunnel walk

1.4 km Return, 1 Hr

Although the train tunnel is closed to the public, this short walk does give you a view of the eastern (bricked up) entrance of the tunnel. The first half of the walk follows the sandstone cuttings where the train once went. For the second half of the walk to the tunnel, you walk on the Northern si

Total climbing: 133m

Moderate track

Lapstone Lookout

756 m Return, 30 mins

This short walk to Lapstone Lookout is easily accessed from Lapstone train station. So next time you miss your train, take the short walk down to the lookout and view the Nepean River and surrounding lands. Lapstone Lookout is a great place to pass some time while enjoying a view.

Total climbing: 43m

Hard track

Lapstone to end of Glenbrook Gorge

3.2 km Return, 1 hr 30 mins

This walk offers a great way to see the Nepean River and marvel at the mouth of Glenbrook Gorge. Starting from Lapstone Station, the walk travels alongside the Nepean River to the junction with Glenbrook Creek. The area is filled with large boulders, pools and many neat spots to explore before retur

Total climbing: 172m

Hard track

Glenbrook and Euroka Circuit

16.6 km Circuit, 2 Days

This two day circuit, returning to Glenbrook Station, is a scenic walk which passes many of the tourist attractions within the park. The walk winds through some wonderful valleys, and various natural and historic features, sleeping the night high on the ridge at Darug camping area. A great way to sp

Total climbing: 790m

Experienced only

Glenbrook to Lapstone via Euroka

18.8 km One way, 2 Days

This two day walk covers large sections of the Glenbrook Gorge between the two train stations. As well as winding through the gorge, the walk travels up onto the ridges to pass Red Hands Cave and camp the night at Darug camping area. The gorge section from the causeway to the Nepean River presents m

Total climbing: 1136m

Very experienced only

Mount Portal Lookout

74 m Return, 10 mins

This is a short walk to a spectacular view. The walks starts with a pleasant drive along the dirt roads through the lower Blue Mountains. From the car park, the walk follows a short footpath to the fenced raised timber viewing platform. The views from the lookout are stunning and include Glenbrook G

Total climbing: 13m

Very easy

Glenbrook Gorge Track

1.7 km Return, 1 hr 30 mins

This walk starts from the Glenbrook information centre, just inside the national park and follows a well defined track down to the Glenbrook Creek and the gorge. The walk is popular with locals looking for a place to swim. The gorge is particularly dangerous after rain, so appropriate care should

Total climbing: 122m

Hard track

Jellybean Track

1 km Return, 45 mins

This walk visits the Jellybean Pools, a popular swimming hole and lovely area in Glenbrook Gorge. Starting at the Glenbrook entrance to the Blue Mountains National Park, the walk follows a well maintained track down the hill, crossing a road a couple of times to come to the Jellybean Pool. The riv

Total climbing: 91m

Moderate track

Glenbrook to Red Hands Cave (via Jellybean Pool)

4.4 km One way, 2 hrs

This walk takes you across Glenbrook Gorge and up Campfire Creek to Red Hands Cave. The walk is quite serene and you can enjoy some peace as you wander along the trail to the art in Red Hands Cave. The side trip to the grinding grooves is worthwhile to complement the cave art.

Total climbing: 259m

Hard track

Blue Pool Track

522 m Return, 20 mins

This short, pleasant walk, starts close to the Glenbrook entrance of the Blue Mountains National Park. The walk follows a staircase and track down to Blue Pool. The blue colouring of the water can vary in intensity, depending on water and weather conditions. A popular swimming hole, this creek is

Total climbing: 39m

Hard track

Blue Pool to Glenbrook Sandbar

2.5 km Return, 1 hr 15 mins

This enjoyable walk leads to the beautiful feature that is Blue Pool. This natural pool can appear an amazing colour, and can be quite popular with swimmers. If Blue Pool is too crowded for your liking, there is an optional sidetrip which heads further up the creek to Glenbrook sandbar. The sandbar

Total climbing: 175m

Hard track

Jellybean Pool

218 m Return, 20 mins

This short, pleasant walk takes you down to a naturally formed water hole, somewhat in the shape of a jelly bean. The picturesque swimming hole near Glenbrook is popular among locals. The track is well-defined and has staircases in steeper sections. The area can be particularly dangerous after ra

Total climbing: 20m

Moderate track