Most people in Katoomba head straight for the Three Sisters. Nellies Glen doesn't have a viewing platform or a tour bus in the car park, which is exactly why it's worth doing.
It's a 10.5km loop that takes you down into a fern-filled gully, through creek crossings and shifting terrain, and finishes by climbing up through the Devils Hole, a narrow gap in the sandstone escarpment with a massive boulder wedged near the top. Coming out of that hole and stepping back onto the clifftop is my favourite moment of the whole circuit. Save it for last.
The Route
Go counter-clockwise: down through Nellies Glen first, up through Devils Hole to finish. Ascending the rocky Devils Hole section is much safer and more enjoyable than descending it, and saving it for last means you end on a high rather than a long slog down.
I've done it both ways. Time of day and light conditions might influence which direction suits you better. But if you have no strong reason either way, go counter-clockwise.
Nellies Glen
The descent into Nellies Glen is one of the most beautiful sections of trail in the Blue Mountains. Steps are cut into the rock, tree ferns line both sides, and the whole place has a quiet, enclosed quality that feels completely different from the open cliff-top walks Katoomba is better known for. You'll hear the creek before you see it. It feels removed from the world above in a way that catches you off guard, given how close it sits to a suburban street.
From the glen, the trail continues toward Devils Hole. The terrain shifts from lush and green to rockier and more exposed as you climb.
Devils Hole
The Devils Hole is a narrow gap in the sandstone escarpment with a large boulder wedged near the top of the opening. The climb through it is steep and involves some scrambling, but it's very manageable in dry conditions. Coming out the other side and stepping back onto the clifftop is worth every step. It's one of those trail moments that just lands differently in person.
Navigation
I didn't find navigation difficult on this trail, but people have taken wrong turns and ended up off-track here, so download the offline map before you leave and keep it open on your phone. If you're a confident hiker who pays attention to where you're going, you'll be fine. If you're newer to hiking or not used to trails without clear signage, bring someone who is.
How Hard Is It Really
It's rated very hard on some sites. I wouldn't put it there. It's a proper challenge, real elevation and rough terrain in sections, but it's not technical. If you're regularly doing hard days in the Blue Mountains, this one is well within reach.
The bigger thing to watch is conditions, not fitness. When it's wet, the rocky sections around Devils Hole become significantly more slippery and the difficulty jumps. If it's rained recently, pick a different day.
Practical Info
- Distance: 10.5 km loop
- Elevation gain: 571 m
- Time: Allow 3.5 to 4.5 hours depending on pace
- Start: Cliff Drive, Katoomba (free parking available at trailhead)
- Dogs: Not allowed
- Download offline maps before you go, phone signal is unreliable in sections
- Avoid after rain, rocky sections become slippery
- No entry fees required
Nellies Glen is one of those circuits that rewards you for doing something other than the obvious walk. If you've done the main Katoomba tracks and want something quieter and more varied with a genuinely memorable finish, it's worth the drive.
