River Walk (Blue Lake)

Download & Print Map and Notes

1 hr 30 mins

2.6 km Circuit

216 m

Moderate track

This walk takes you from the Grand Arch along the surreal Blue Lake, following the hillside downstream to the old Jenolan Caves Hydroelectric Station. The track is dotted with magnificent views of Carlotta's Arch and the top of the Grand Arch. The circuit-style walk brings you underneath the bridge and back to the amazing Grand Arch.

Picnic area at Jenolan Caves Hydro Electric

(0km) Grand Arch East → Blue Lake Access

110 m

5 mins

10m

-52m Easy track

From the eastern side of the Grand Arch, the walk heads over the road to the right of the bridge and the lake behind. The walk then tends left around the lake for approximately 40m to an intersection marked by a 'No swimming fishing or throwing stones' sign.

Blue Lake

Blue Lake, or Lake Jenolan, is a small lake on the eastern side of the Grand Arch. The lake is fed by the River Styx and the Jenolan River. Blue Lake's intense colour comes from the refraction of light through limestone sediments.

(0km) Blue Lake Access → Jenolan Hydroelectric Station

1.1 km

27 mins

40m

-114m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the railing around the hillside, with the water to the left. The path passes a large weir on the left and continues past some old piping (which is sign marked). The track continues around the hill for approximately 50m to the unsignposted intersection.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk rounds the hillside and down a suspended bridge. The walk winds to the bottom of a waterfall and continues above the creek (on the left) for a short time. The track then turns right, following the hillside around to comes to a bridge. The walk passes over the bridge then winds further around the hillside and banks of the creek to the old Jenolan Hydroelectric Power Station and picnic area.

Jenolan Caves Hydroelectric Power Station

Jenolan Cave Hydroelectric Power Station was originally a Leffel Wheel, built in 1889 on the Jenolan River. The building has a glass front with a light switch to show the large machinery which was once used to power Jenolan. Near the hydroelectric building, there is a nice picnic area by the weir.

(1km) Jenolan Hydroelectric Station → Int. above bridge

1 km

25 mins

106m

-37m Moderate track

Turn around: From Jenolan Caves Hydroelectric Power Station, this walk heads through the picnic area, with the creek below on the left. The track winds around the hillside and banks of the creek, then passes over a bridge. The track winds along the creek a little more before turning left around the hillside, following the left bank of the creek for approximately 300m to the bottom of a waterfall. The track then zigzags up the suspended bridge to round the hillside to an intersection above a bridge.

(2km) Int. above bridge → Grand Arch East

260 m

11 mins

60m

-13m Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads down to the creek bed and over the bridge to the other side of the creek. The walk then heads around and up the hillside for a little while, passing old pipes, the weir and some seats on the left. The track leads to the right, under a bridge, and heads up some stairs, then follows the railed track to the road before the Grand Arch.

De Burghs Bridge

The bridge spanning out from the Grand Arch was designed by Mr Ernest M. De Burgh, and built by the Public Works Department in 1896. The bridge allowed greater access to the caves and was built from locally cut limestone.

Maps for the River Walk (Blue Lake) 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.

Six Foot Track	1:50 000 Map Series	Six Foot Track	NSW-six-foot-track
Jenolan	1:25 000 Map Series	89303N JENOLAN	NSW-89303N
Katoomba	1:100 000 Map Series	8930 KATOOMBA	8930

Cross sectional view of the River Walk (Blue Lake) bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the River Walk (Blue Lake)

Altitude analysis for River Walk (Blue Lake)

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	2.6 km
		Time	1 hr 30 mins
		.
Grade 3/6 Moderate track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
		Quality of track	Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
		Signs	Clearly signposted (1/6)
		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

Around 2.5km of this walk has short steep hills, whilst the remaining 110m has gentle hills with occasional steps.

Quality of track

This whole walk, 2.6km follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs

This whole walk, 2.6km is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 2.6km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 2.6km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

Around 2.3km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 260m has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the River Walk (Blue Lake) walk.

Carlotta's Arch Track

828 m Return, 30 mins

From Caves House, this short but relatively steep trail goes up to Carlotta's Arch, enjoying fantastic views out over Blue Lake, the Jenolan Valley and River. Back at Caves House, you can enjoy a cup of coffee or a milkshake in the bistro. For those in Jenolan primarily do a caves tour, this is a g

Total climbing: 95m

Moderate track

McKeowns Valley Circuit

3.5 km Circuit, 2 hrs

Looping around the northern bush tracks surrounding Jenolan Caves, this walk explores a variety of different environments, up on the ridges and down along the river. The campsite is a great spot to break and enjoy the quiet, at one of the less-frequented areas of the park. Be sure to allow time to e

Total climbing: 347m

Hard track

McKeowns Valley Lookdown Walk

2.2 km Return, 1 hr 9 mins

Following the ridge above the Jenolan River, this walk enjoys great views of the valley along its course. From the various lookouts along the way, it is possible to see the Six Foot Track across the valley. Caves House is a great spot to start and end the walk with a relaxing hot drink or snack.

Total climbing: 220m

Moderate track

McKeowns Valley Walk

3.1 km Return, 1 hr 30 mins

Exploring the Jenolan River, this track makes for one of the more beautiful walks in the Jenolan area as it winds its way along the creek bed. High cliffs on either side form an amazing valley, and there are views of the caves as well as a great spot to break at the campsite.

Total climbing: 224m

Hard track

Jenolan Cottages to Caves

4.6 km One way, 2 hrs

This is a great walk for those staying at Jenolan Cottages and wanting to walk to the Caves. Following the well-maintained and signposted Six Foot Track, there are great views and a variety of environments to enjoy. Be sure to notice the buildings surrounding Caves House as you come into the Jenolan

Total climbing: 103m

Hard track

Megalong Rd to Bowtells Swing Bridge (Coxs River)

12.6 km Return, 5 hrs 30 mins

Starting from Megalong Rd, this walk will take you past the historic Megalong Cemetery and then through some farmland as you wander along private dirt roads on part of the Six Foot Track. Just shy of 1km into the walk, you will then follow a track as it crosses the Guyvey Bridge and meanders through

Total climbing: 772m

Hard track

Along Narrow Neck to Taro's Ladder

20 km Return, 7 hrs

This walk follows the Glenraphael Drive management trail along Narrow Neck, enjoying plenty of great views of the Jamison Valley and across to Mount Solitary. The climb down Taro's ladder requires skill, and much care and caution should be used. There are plenty of pleasant spots to rest along the

Total climbing: 671m

Moderate track

Narrow Neck to Castle Head

4.2 km Return, 1 hr 45 mins

From the locked gate on Glenraphael Dr, on Narrow Neck, this walk heads out to Castle Head lookout. From the Lookout, there are fantastic views over the Jamison Valley back to Katoomba and over to Mount Solitary. You get a birds eye view of Ruined Castle, and distant views of the Three Sisters. M

Total climbing: 229m

Hard track

Golden Staircase to Mt Solitary via Ruined Castle

11.7 km Return, 8 hrs 45 mins

With quite significant hills, this is a great walk is for the day-walker looking for something more challenging than the average Katoomba cliff top walk. With fantastic views at Botting's Lookout, from the top of the Ruined Castle, and especially good views from Mt Solitary, this walk is well worth

Total climbing: 1048m

Experienced only

Ruined Castle Walk

7.9 km Return, 5 hrs

Entering into the Jamison Valley via the popular Golden Staircase, this walk climbs one of the most recognisable landmarks in the Jamison Valley - The Ruined Castle. A beautiful rock formation that offers great views over the valley as far as Wentworth Falls and Katoomba. Explore some of the history

Total climbing: 666m

Hard track

Katoomba to Wentworth Falls via the Jamison Valley

29.2 km One way, 2 Days

This is the two day version of this popular and challenging walk. This walk passes popular sights including the Landslide, Ruined Castle, Mt Solitary and Wentworth Falls, and is a great way to explore the Jamison Valley. Water is rarely available at the campsite, with the Kedumba River being the on

Total climbing: 2135m

Experienced only

Scenic Railway - Ruined Castle - Mt Solitary - Kedumba River - Wentworth Falls

29.3 km One way, 3 Days

Circling the Jamison Valley, this spectacular three day walk is packed with great views and beautiful scenery. From Scenic World the walk heads around the base of the cliffs before climbing up to the Ruined Castle and then Mt Solitary. Walkers can rest in the sheltered Chinaman's Gully campsite over

Total climbing: 2147m

Experienced only

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The River Walk (Blue Lake) walk starts and ends at the Grand Arch East (gps: -33.819113, 150.02388)

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

Weather Forecast

This walk starts in the Central Tablelands weather district.

Current Alerts

Park Information

Jenolan Karst Conservation Reserve

This Reserve is home to the world famous Jenolan Caves. The are a number of guided tours avaible paying visitors to explore the underground on well maintianed tracks through the caves. There are also a number of self guided caves that you can walk through at your own leisure, including the masive Grand Arch which you can drive through. There is accomodation and food avaialble in the area and a number of nice walks.

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