The Grand Cliff Top Walk is a joint project between NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and Blue Mountains City Council, to create a continuous multi-day walk from Wentworth Falls to Katoomba.
There are several ways to begin your journey on the Grand Cliff Top Walk, but one of the easiest and most scenic options is by public transport. Simply catch the train to Wentworth Falls Station, where the adventure begins just a short walk away.
The official starting point of the Grand Cliff Top Walk is located at Wilson Park, directly across from the station and village shops, making it easy to grab any last-minute supplies before setting off.
Before you hit the trail, make sure you’re prepared — water bottles filled, snacks packed, hats secured and sunscreen applied. Once you leave the village behind, facilities become limited, so it’s worth taking a quick bathroom stop before heading into the bush. Then it’s time to step onto the track and immerse yourself in the spectacular landscapes of the Blue Mountains.
Keep an eye out for colourful honeyeaters and elusive shrub wrens among the trees, while the unmistakable call of the yellow-tailed black cockatoo often echoes across the valley long before you spot them overhead.
Watch your head as the Grand Cliff Top Walk winds beneath dramatic sandstone overhangs along the spectacular Overcliff–Undercliff Track. This memorable section meanders through lush cliffline vegetation, crosses bubbling creeks via stepping stones and hugs the escarpment edge with almost constant views across the vast Jamison Valley.
With sweeping vistas stretching all the way back toward Wentworth Falls, every turn reveals another breathtaking perspective of the Blue Mountains landscape. It’s a section rich in atmosphere, where towering cliffs, hanging gardens and the sounds of cascading water create one of the most immersive experiences along the walk.
At the end of the Overcliff–Undercliff Track, take a right for a short but steep detour to Valley of the Waters Lookout. This is also where you’ll find Conservation Hut — the perfect place to pause for a coffee, snack or bathroom break before continuing your journey.
Surrounded by towering cliffs and lush bushland, the lookout offers sweeping views across the Jamison Valley and a chance to catch your breath before heading back onto the trail.
Continuing left along the Valley of the Waters Track leads you toward Empress Falls Lookout, passing the scenic Queen Victoria Lookout along the way. While the lookout itself doesn’t directly overlook the falls, it provides a dramatic vantage point into the narrow sandstone walls of Empress Canyon below. Listen carefully and you may hear canyoners echoing through the gorge beneath you.
If you’d like to experience the spectacular 30-metre Empress Falls up close, a steep but rewarding side trip takes you down to the base of this stunning waterfall as it pours directly from the cliff face into the canyon below.
After descending the stairs, follow the Nature Track past a peaceful picnic area before turning left to cross the charming Lillian’s Bridge onto a new section of trail. As you continue climbing out of the sheltered valley toward the Fairmont Resort, notice the landscape gradually changing — the lush rainforest gives way to drier eucalyptus forest and open bushland typical of the upper ridgelines.
A short 1.5km road section connects Fairmont Resort with the next part of the Grand Cliff Top Walk. Take care through this area, as vehicles regularly use these roads, and stick to the footpath wherever possible.
The route follows Fairmont Place before turning left onto Sublime Point Road, right into Willoughby Road, and then around into Carleton Road where the bush track resumes. This section also offers a chance to experience the character of Leura, with its leafy streets, mountain homes and village atmosphere adding a different perspective to the journey.
From here you’ll descend on your way to the tranquil Pool of Siloam. This fern-filled grotto is known as one of the most gorgeous wild swim spots in the Blue Mountains. Soak up the cool air or water while you can to prepare for the climb out to Gordon Falls.
The Gordon Falls picnic area is a great place to use the bathrooms, fill your water bottles & have a pre-packed snack. The short walk to Gordon Falls lookout is a must to get your bearings and check out the 200m cascade of Gordon Falls itself, as well as the stunning cliff faces of Sublime Point.
Further along, Olympian Rock Lookout raises the bar even higher with sweeping panoramic views across the Jamison Valley, including one of the finest vantage points of Mount Solitary rising from the landscape below.
Complete the trio by continuing to Tarpeian Rock, where the scenery opens even wider to reveal the rear of the iconic Three Sisters, the distant Ruined Castle formation and the dramatic sweep of Narrow Neck Plateau stretching into the wilderness beyond.
The Leura Falls Creek section of the walk follows through a landscape rich with dense rainforest vegetation, towering tree ferns and moss-covered rock formations. The sound of rushing water accompanies you along the trail as cascades tumble through the valley below.
Pause at the many lookouts and viewing platforms along the way to take in the changing perspectives of the creek and surrounding escarpment. Between the roar of the falls, listen for the calls of native birds hidden within the canopy overhead.
Detour: If time allows, the 4.5km Leura Cascades Fern Bower Circuit offers an unforgettable side trip deeper into the lush cliffline rainforest, weaving through cool fern grottos and tranquil creek crossings.
The dramatic scenery hinted at earlier is fully revealed at Bridal Veil View, where Leura Falls Creek plunges 35 metres over the escarpment to the rocks below. After rainfall, the separate streams of the waterfall combine into a delicate curtain of water resembling a bridal veil — giving this lookout its fitting name.
From here, it’s a relatively easy walk to Tallawalla Lookout — an ideal spot to pause, rehydrate and apply one last layer of sunscreen while soaking in the expansive valley views.
Take a moment to look back toward Kings Tableland in the distance, near where your journey first began. Seeing the landscape from this perspective offers a real sense of just how far the Grand Cliff Top Walk has carried you through the heart of the Blue Mountains.
Saving one of the most iconic sights for last, Echo Point Lookout is home to the legendary Three Sisters — one of Australia’s most recognisable natural landmarks and a place of deep cultural significance to Aboriginal people.
Perched high above the Jamison Valley, Echo Point delivers breathtaking panoramic views across the escarpment and surrounding wilderness. Be sure to take the short detour to Honeymoon Bridge, which connects visitors to the first of the Three Sisters, and continue on to Lady Game Lookout for an even closer perspective of the ancient sandstone formations.
As one of the Blue Mountains’ most visited locations, Echo Point features a visitor centre, toilets, water refill stations and nearby cafés. It can be busy throughout the day, so take your time, enjoy the atmosphere.
Rounding the headland beyond Echo Point reveals yet another spectacular perspective of the Blue Mountains landscape. From Lady Darley’s Lookout, sweeping views open across Narrow Neck Plateau and the distinctive Ruined Castle rock formation stretching deep into the wilderness.
On a clear day, you can even see as far as Kanangra Walls and the distant Wild Dog Mountains, offering a dramatic reminder of the immense scale and beauty of this World Heritage-listed region.
Despite its simple name, Cliff View Lookout offers a unique perspective along the Grand Cliff Top Walk. Thanks to the shape of the valley and its position along the escarpment, the lookout provides a close-up view across to the dramatic cliffs surrounding Scenic World.
From here you can spot the famous Scenic Railway climbing the mountainside, the cableway gliding above the valley, and — if you look carefully — the winding Furber Steps descending deep into the rainforest below. It’s a fascinating vantage point that showcases both the rugged natural landscape and the iconic attractions nestled within it.
Cross the stepping stones over Katoomba Cascades, where the waters begin their journey as the Kedumba River before plunging dramatically into the valley via Katoomba Falls. Surrounded by lush bushland and sandstone escarpments, this section offers another beautiful reminder of how water has shaped the Blue Mountains landscape over millions of years.
Managed by Blue Mountains City Council, the reserve is also known for its evening illumination, with the cascades and surrounding pathways lit until 11pm, creating a completely different atmosphere after dark.
From here, the Prince Henry Cliff Walk comes to an end as the trail joins Cliff Drive and continues toward the final destination.
Congratulations — once you spot the historic steam engine, you’ve officially arrived at Scenic World and completed the Grand Cliff Top Walk.
After 19 kilometres of waterfalls, rainforest gullies, dramatic lookouts and cliffside trails, this is the perfect place to celebrate your achievement. Scenic World offers cafés, restaurants and plenty of opportunities to rest tired legs while soaking in one final spectacular view across the Jamison Valley.
Before You Go
The Grand Cliff Top Walk is a Grade 3 hike, suitable for most ages and fitness levels, though a moderate level of fitness and some bushwalking experience is recommended. While the track doesn’t descend fully into the valley floor, the route includes plenty of stairs, with frequent climbs and descents that can become challenging over the course of the day.
For more adventurous walkers wanting to extend the experience, it’s possible to descend deep into the Jamison Valley via the Fern Bower stairs before climbing back out using the Furber Steps — or rewarding yourself with a ride back to the top on the Scenic Railway at Scenic World (be sure to check the final train times before setting out).
What to Bring on the Grand Cliff Top Walk
Being prepared will help you enjoy the walk safely and comfortably. Essentials include:
- Hat
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Comfortable backpack
- Sturdy walking shoes or hiking boots
- At least 2 litres of water per person
- First aid kit
- Plenty of snacks and food for energy
- Warm jacket
- Waterproof jacket
- Fully charged phone
For added safety, it’s also recommended to download the Emergency+ App and the NSW National Parks app before starting your walk. These can assist with navigation and emergency location details if required.
.Please check NPWS alerts as well as BMCC alerts and track status before setting off on your Grand Cliff Top Walk adventure.