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Time 30 mins
Return 1 km Return
Climb 51 m
Grade 3 Moderate track
Car
no_pets
Red Hands Cave is a small sandstone overhang cave that showcases a number of very clear hand stencillings. The site is protected with an obtrusive cage to keep would-be vandals out. There are a number of signs explaining the history and some artifacts found in the area. The walk is enjoyable and seems to take less time than the drive around. If you are reasonably fit, consider the walk to the same cave, starting from the causeway.

Red Hands Cave Picnic Area

Red Hands Cave Picnic Area
Red Hands Cave Picnic Area is found at the end of the Red Hands Cave Fire Trail in the Glenbrook area of the Blue Mountains National Park. The small picnic area is next to the car park and has a couple of platforms (to act as both a table and seat) as well as a fire place and toilet. The toilet itself is wheelchair accessible, but access to the toilet is over moderately rough terrain. A good spot to rest when exploring Red Hands Cave.

(0km) Red Hands Cave car park → Red Hands Cave

distance 500 m time 12 mins climb 10m descent -41m Moderate track
From Red Hands Cave car park, this walk follows the 'Red Hands Cave' sign, past the wire and logs. The track slowly winds down through the bush, passing a few rocky outcrops. The track continues downhill and across a rocky surface. The walk then follows the track right, under the rock outcrop, and down the steps onto the metal veranda at Red Hands Cave.

Red Hands Cave

Red Hands Cave
Red Hands Cave, in the Glenbrook area of the Blue Mountains National Park, is found near the end of Red Hands Cave fire trail. The cave has quite a few hand stencils and prints of various colours (including red). The cave is well protected, with a perspex and steel cage. There are some information signs and some artifacts to help visitors learn more about the people who made these prints over 1600 years ago. In 1913, when searching for a lost child, this cave was found by Europeans and is now protected.

Maps for the Red Hands Cave 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.

Penrith1:25 000 Map Series90303N PENRITHNSW-90303N
Penrith1:100 000 Map Series9030 PENRITH9030

Cross sectional view of the Red Hands Cave bushwalking track

Terrain profile for Red Hands Cave

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Red Hands Cave

Altitude analysis for Red Hands Cave

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.

Length1 km
Time30 mins
.




Grade 3/6



Moderate track
AS 2156.1GradientShort steep hills (3/6)
Quality of trackFormed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
SignsClearly signposted (1/6)
Experience RequiredNo experience required (1/6)
WeatherWeather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
InfrastructureGenerally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6)

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, 500m has short steep hills.

Quality of track

This whole walk, 500m follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.

Signs

This whole walk, 500m is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 500m requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 500m is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

This whole walk, 500m is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Red Hands Cave walk.

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Red Hands Cave walk.

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Red Hands Cave walk starts and ends at the Red Hands Cave car park (gps: -33.783374, 150.59028)

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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