Govetts Leap Loop – Blue Mountains National Park – New South Wales

Conveniently leaving from Blackheath Railway Station, the path will take you through Pope’s Glen to the breathtaking Govetts Leap lookout. The cool temperatures of the rainforest make this a suitable hike all year round, given it’s not raining. Waterfalls, rugged terrain, a variety of wildflowers and spectacular views make this day walk a must add to your list.

The most difficult part of this hike is navigating the streets to find the entrance to the trail. Beginning from the train station, walk down Gardiner Crescent past the Blackheath Library toward Memorial Park. Wander down Gipps Lane until you reach a T-intersection. Take the left down Dell Street and continue for 300m until you see the sign for the Pope’s Glen Track.

The Popes Glen Track is a relatively easy path under tree cover. The trail leads down the hill, past a cascading waterfall and alongside the trickling creek. After crossing two bridges the creek will be on your left until you arrive at an intersection below power lines.

Continue South East along the Popes Glen track until you reach a Boyds Beach sign at the bottom of the hill. To take this quick detour, follow the rocky steps down to the “beach”. Sit on the sandy bank and enjoy the shady waterfall. Skim a few stones on the water before backtracking up to the main path and taking a left.

Now you’re on your way to Govetts Leap. Along a rocky fern lined path you’ll find yourself at the bottom of a flight of steep stairs. A little beyond the top you’ll come to the Bridal Falls Lookout. Take in the view of the falls running down the vast vertical sandstone cliffs and gaze at the layers of mountains creating the Grose Valley in the distance.

Continue on straight and you’ll find two more lookouts including the Govetts Leap Lookout, with a monument dedicated to William Govett, one of the first surveyors of the upper Blue Mountains.

Follow the signs to Evans Lookout, trek up and down the rugged terrain, across stepping stones over a creek and turn left at the intersection to walk up the stairs towards the cliffs. You’ll find yourself at Barrow Lookout where you can rest on the bench seat. Once you’re done at this detour, head back to the main path and take a left.

Proceed along the Braeside Walk beside a sandstone bottomed creek. A diverse path filled with stream crossings, oversized boulders, and lush ferns follows the creek up for about a kilometre until you reach Braeside Picnic Area, home to a charming weir and waterfall.

For the final leg of the hike, head up the hill with the weir on your right to approach some stepping stones. After you make it across the stream, the steps will lead to a management trail. At the intersection, make your way up the hill and turn left on to Braeside Street and remain on the road as it turns into Boreas Street. Turn left on Govetts Leap Road and finish at the Great Western Hwy and Blackheath Railway Station.

Need to Know

Last Visited: 2017
Length: 8.7 km
Time: 4 hrs 30 min
Grade: Difficult / Grade 4 (according to the Australian Walking Track Grading System).
Style: Circuit
Region: New South Wales
Park: Blue Mountains National Park
Closest Town: Blackheath (1 km)
Car Access: From Sydney, Take the M2 until you reach the Light Horse Junction. Use the left lane to follow signs for M4 towards Penrith/Blue Mtns for 400m. Keep right at the fork, follow signs for Penrith/M4/Blue Mtns. After 22km keep rights to continue on Great Western Hwy/A32 for 19km. Continue straight to stay on Great Western Hwy/A32 until you reach Blackheath Railway Station.
Public Transport Access: From Central Station in Sydney, catch a Blue Mountains line train to Blackheath Station (22 stops in total). The trail begins from Blackheath Station.
Path Taken: Blackheath Station – Pope’s Glen Trk – Boyd Beach Trk – Boyd Beach – Popes Glen Trk – Bridal Falls Lookout – Govetts Leap Lookout – Braeside Walk North – Barrow Lookout – Govetts Leap (falls) – Braeside Walk North – Braeside Picnic Area – Blackheath Station.
Map: NSWTopo have a Katoomba 1:25,000 which should cover this trail. If you’re happy to use your phone as your map you can download the free Avenza Maps app (on Android, iPhone, or Windows) and purchase this one for AUD$2.99.
 

Have you ever hiked this section of Blue Mountains National Park? Got it on your bucket list? If you have any stories, updates or corrections, please let us know by commenting below.