The Grand Cliff Top Walk in the Blue Mountains has opened following years of trail closures and restoration efforts.
The Blue Mountains has added another incredible walk to its list, with the opening of the Grand Cliff Top Walk after four years of track closures and restoration efforts.
If you’ve ever been to the Blue Mountains, you know it’s got more than one claim to fame. There are quaint towns with historic buildings, industry-leading restaurants pushing the envelope and unique stays rivalling accommodation around the world.
But the region’s pièce de résistance has to be its over one million hectares of pristine, protected wilderness. And now, the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has revealed a new walk showcasing the best of it.
Officially launched on 24 March by the NSW NPWS and Blue Mountains City Council, the Grand Cliff Top Walk connects the charming towns of Wentworth Falls and Katoomba.
Traversing 19 kilometres, the trek begins at Darwins Walk from the Wilson Park picnic area, follows a path past gushing Wentworth Falls, through majestic ancient forest and along cliff-edge tracks, ending at Scenic World in Katoomba.
The walk blends older tracks with newly built trails that offer a different perspective, now connected by missing links. The NPWS has been opening it in stages as they’re completed, but it is now available as one continuous two-day hike.
Throughout the build and restoration of the walk, safety has remained a high priority. Timber steps along the track have been replaced with sandstone ones, ensuring bushfire resistance and supporting the region’s heritage values. Handrails have also been installed where necessary for safety.
Although the Grand Cliff Top Walk is designed to be completed across two days, there are plenty of adjoining tracks that allow hikers to come and go as they please. But for those going all the way, you won’t have to rough it.
The Grand Cliff Top Walk has been purposefully built close to nearby towns. Why not spend the night at one of many cute country stays in Leura, which roughly marks halfway? This means camping equipment and heavy rucksacks can be left at home, too.
Visitors travelling to the region can also extend their trip to experience everything else the Blue Mountains has to offer.
“We urge visitors and walkers who experience the Grand Cliff Top Walk, on a guided tour or self-guided walk, to explore our villages along the way with their unique Art Deco buildings, colourful boutique cafes, restaurants and shops," says Trish Doyle, Blue Mountains MP.
There are many things to do in Katoomba, the charming town where the hike ends. Put some time aside to visit Scenic World, hit the shops or treat yourself to a luxurious stay at Lilianfels. Or head to a Blue Mountains spa to soak away those post-hike aches and pains.
Whatever you choose to do, you’ll be supporting an industry that needs it.
“The walk will boost the economic value of nature-based tourism in the region by attracting more domestic and international visitors and more overnight stays," says Penny Sharpe, Minister for Climate Change and the Environment.
The project, which cost the NSW Government a cool $10 million, is anticipated to increase visitation to the region by 50,000 per year. It may seem like a lot of money, but it’s a huge investment for a region so deserving. And the views along the way – well, they’re priceless.
