As someone who spends a lot of time hiking around the Blue Mountains, I’d been keeping an eye on the progress of the new Grand Cliff Top Walk, a 19 km trail that links Wentworth Falls, Leura and Katoomba. Now that it’s complete, it’s easily one of the most scenic hikes in the area, combining lookouts, waterfalls and forest sections into one continuous route. While it’s designed as a two-day walk, I decided to take it on in one day.
The Trail
The Grand Cliff Top Walk starts at Darwin’s Walk in Wentworth Falls and finishes at Scenic World in Katoomba. It weaves through forest, past waterfalls and along exposed cliff-edge paths with incredible views across the valley. The trail connects older tracks with newly built sections, creating a single, easy-to-follow route.
There are multiple access points along the way, so you can choose shorter sections if you prefer. It’s well signposted throughout, making navigation simple and stress free. For anyone wanting a longer trip, it can easily be split into two days with accommodation options halfway in Leura.
The Recommended Two-Day Itinerary
Day One – 11km Wentworth Falls to Gordon Falls
The first day starts with an 11km walk from Darwin's Walk at Wentworth Falls, finishing at Gordon Falls in Leura. Highlights include scenic lookouts such as Fletchers, Queen Victoria, and Empress Falls. Optional short detours include the Den Fenella and Valley of the Waters lookouts, or to the Conservation Hut.
Day Two – 8km Gordon Falls to Scenic World
After an overnight stay in Leura, day two covers 8km from Gordon Falls to Scenic World in Katoomba. This segment offers stunning views from various lookouts including Elysian, Olympian, and Tarpeian. The path leads past the iconic Three Sisters and offers a crossing at Buttenshaw Bridge and a walk along Leura Falls Creek to Echo Point Lookout. There are opportunities to explore closer to the rock formations before concluding the hike at Scenic World.
This options allows hikers to carry just the essentials during the day, while evenings are spent enjoying local resturants and comfortable accommodations.
My Journey on April 20, 2024
On a slightly rainy April day, I embarked on my solo journey to tackle the entire trail, but in reverse. Starting from Scenic World and moving towards Wentworth Falls, I decided to take this approach due to closures near Wentworth Falls caused by recent heavy rains. This decision meant navigating a detoured section onto the road at the end of the hike, allowing me to tackle the less scenic and more tiresome road stretch when I was already tired and less focused on the surrounding beauty.
Despite some detours, I managed to cover 20 km in about 6 hours, capturing a ton of photos along the way.
Highlights and Tips
Starting from Scenic World and heading towards Wentworth Falls, the Grand Cliff Top Walk is well-marked and easy to follow, despite being physically demanding due to sections filled with stairs. Pacing and regular breaks makes these parts manageable.
Along the route, there are numerous waterfalls and scenic spots perfect for resting. The misty weather enhanced the beauty of these cascading waters, making them standout features of the hike. I chose a beautiful spot for a lunch break, which provided a great midway pause and a chance to really appreciate the surroundings.
For anyone considering this hike, it's important to be prepared for varied terrains. Comfortable hiking shoes, and carrying water and snacks is advisable. There are plenty of places to stop and rest, so take advantage of these to make your hike more enjoyable. This trail offers both a challenge and rewarding views.
Final Thoughts
Finishing the Grand Cliff Top Walk in one day was an amazing experience and a great way to connect with the Blue Mountains. It’s the kind of hike that gives you a bit of everything: challenge, scenery and quiet moments along the way. Whether you do it over two days or tackle it in one go, it’s a brilliant addition to the region and one I’d definitely recommend for anyone who loves long, rewarding hikes.
