The Blue Mountains is hands down my favourite place in Australia. No matter how many times I visit, I always find myself wanting to come back. Whether it's the incredible views, the waterfalls, the quiet valleys or just being surrounded by nature, it's one of those places that never gets old.
With so many walks to choose from, it can be hard to know where to start. If you search for the 'best walks in the Blue Mountains', you'll usually get the same handful of tourist spots. They're beautiful, but there's so much more to explore.
These are the 11 walks I keep coming back to. Some are short and perfect for beginners, while others are the hikes I use to train for bigger adventures. I've listed them from easiest to hardest so you can find one that suits your fitness level, the time you have available, and the kind of day you're after.
Before you head off, I'd always recommend downloading your maps offline and checking the weather. Conditions in the Blue Mountains can change quickly, especially once you drop into the valleys, and phone reception isn't always reliable.
1. Minnehaha Falls, Katoomba
~2.5–3 km return • Easy • 1–1.5 hours
If you're looking for a short walk with a big reward, this is one of my favourites.
The track winds down through the bush before opening up to Minnehaha Falls, where water spills over the sandstone into a beautiful swimming hole below. The start can get muddy and slippery, especially after rain, but it's easy to follow and there aren't too many steep sections. You'll notice a few stairs on the climb back up, but overall it's an easy, family-friendly walk.
The water is freezing almost all year round, but always worth jumping in. It's honestly one of the best and most accessible swimming spots in the area, so it does get busy on hot days. Get there early if you want a quieter dip.
Great option if you're short on time, visiting with family, or just want an easy walk that ends at a waterfall.
2. Bridal Veil Falls & Leura Cascades Loop, Leura
~4.5 km loop • Easy–Moderate • 2–3 hours
This is one of the prettiest easy walks in the Blue Mountains, and one I've done more times than I can count.
The track follows Leura Cascades through beautiful fern-filled rainforest. You can add the extra section down to Bridal Veil Falls, a gorgeous waterfall that's even better after rain. The descent to Bridal is steep, but I've taken my mum and my nieces and nephews and they all managed fine.
One thing on the AllTrails map I've linked: it doesn't take you all the way down to the base of Bridal Veil Falls, but there's a turn-off you can take that does, and it adds roughly an extra 2km.
Just after Bridal Veil Falls is where you can access the 'viral' infinity pool on top of Leura Falls. It's a little off track, but so many people have made the trip over the years that a clearer pathway has formed, so it's not too difficult to find once you find the start of it.
The lush greenery near the base of the falls was probably my favourite part. If it's rained recently, this walk is even better, with the waterfalls flowing much stronger.
It's a great option for visitors or anyone wanting a relaxed walk through proper fern rainforest.
3. Castle Head, Narrow Neck
~9.3 km return • Easy • 2.5–3 hours
If someone asked me for one walk with incredible views that doesn't require a huge amount of effort, Castle Head would be near the top of my list.
The track follows Narrow Neck before opening up to panoramic views over the Jamison Valley. You'll be looking straight across to Mount Solitary, with Ruined Castle below and, on a clear day, even Lake Burragorang in the distance.
What I love most about this lookout is that you don't just feel like you're looking at the valley, you feel completely surrounded by it. It's the sort of place where you could sit for an hour without getting bored.
Just keep in mind that vehicle access along Narrow Neck Road occasionally closes, so you'd need to park further and walk a little extra.
4. Bald Head via Hat Hill, Blackheath
~7 km return • Easy–Moderate • 2.5–3 hours
This walk doesn't seem to get talked about as much as it deserves.
Starting near Hat Hill, the track follows the ridge out towards Bald Head, where you're rewarded with big open views across the Grose Valley.
The first time I came here, I couldn't believe how quiet it was. I had the entire track completely to myself, which is pretty rare in the Blue Mountains especially for walks that aren't too hard.
If you time it for late afternoon, the sunset over the Grose Valley is beautiful. Just remember to bring a headtorch if you're planning to walk back after dark.
5. Lockleys Pylon, Leura
~7–8 km return • Moderate • 3–3.5 hours
Lockleys Pylon is one of those walks that's worth every bit of the drive to get there.
After following Mount Hay Road, you'll reach a track that winds through open heath before leading out onto one of the best ridge walks in the Blue Mountains. During spring, the wildflowers make it even more beautiful.
The views over the Grose Valley open up almost the entire way, and once you reach the pylon you'll be treated to 360-degree views.
It's generally quieter than the more popular walks around Katoomba, though don't expect to have it to yourself, especially on weekends.
If you're looking for a moderate hike with proper views for the effort, this is one I'd happily recommend.
6. Sassafras Gully, Victory Track & Magdala Gully Loop, Springwood
11.4 km loop • Moderate • 4–5 hours
The lower Blue Mountains often gets overlooked, but this walk is a great reminder that there's plenty to explore outside the more popular areas.
The loop takes you through lush rainforest, fern gullies, creek crossings and small waterfalls, making it feel completely different to the exposed sandstone tracks around Katoomba.
I really enjoy this walk because it's so peaceful. Even on weekends, it feels much quieter than many of the better known hikes.
If it's rained recently, the waterfalls are flowing beautifully, although the track can get quite muddy in places.
7. Perrys Lookdown to Acacia Flats
~6 km return • Hard • 3–4 hours
Don't let the distance fool you.
This is one of the tougher short hikes in the Blue Mountains, and one I often recommend if you're training for bigger adventures.
The track drops around 650 metres in just a couple of kilometres before reaching the beautiful Blue Gum Forest and Acacia Flats. Walking through the towering blue gums at the bottom almost makes you forget you'll have to climb every metre back out.
If you continue down to the river, it's the perfect place to cool your feet after the descent.
The track itself isn't particularly technical, but the elevation definitely earns your respect. Make sure you carry enough water and leave plenty of energy for the climb back to the top.
8. Nellies Glen & Devils Hole Loop, Katoomba
10.5 km loop • Hard • 3.5–4.5 hours
This is one of those walks that surprises people.
While most visitors head towards Echo Point and the Three Sisters, Nellies Glen offers a completely different experience. You'll descend through lush rainforest, cross creeks, follow quiet bush tracks and eventually climb back up through Devils Hole, a narrow passage between towering sandstone walls with a huge boulder wedged above you.
Coming up through Devils Hole is easily my favourite part of the entire circuit, which is why I'd recommend walking it in an anti-clockwise direction.
Although some websites rate this as very hard, I'd personally call it challenging rather than technical. Just avoid it after heavy rain, as some sections can become quite slippery, and make sure you've downloaded your maps before setting off.
9. Kedumba Campground Hike, Wentworth Falls
~18 km return • Hard • 5–7 hours
If you're training for longer hikes, this is a great one.
The walk begins by descending Kedumba Pass before following the fire trail through the valley towards Kedumba Campground. The track itself is very straightforward to follow. The descent feels easy, and it's very tempting to think the hard part is over, until it's time to climb all the way back out.
Kedumba Campground itself is a beautiful spot, right down at the bottom of the valley by the river. It's well worth taking a break here before heading back up, or even camping overnight if you've got the time.
Fair warning, since it's a fire trail the whole way down, it can feel a bit monotonous compared to some of the more varied tracks in the Blue Mountains. I get why some people find it boring. But I've done this walk at least 7 times now and I keep coming back to it.
I actually enjoy this walk because it's a little different from many of the others in the Blue Mountains. Instead of constantly stopping at lookouts, you're surrounded by the valley the whole time, and it feels incredibly peaceful.
It's also much quieter than many of the more popular hikes, so if you're after a full day out without the crowds, this is a great option. There are also loop variations of similar distance if you want to mix things up from the standard there-and-back.
10. Grand Cliff Top Walk, Wentworth Falls to Katoomba
~19 km one way • Moderate • 1–2 days
If you want to experience the best of the Blue Mountains, this is the walk I'd recommend.
The Grand Cliff Top Walk links together many of the region's most iconic lookouts into one continuous trail, following the edge of the Jamison Valley almost the entire way. Instead of driving between viewpoints, you actually get to experience how they're all connected.
Most people choose to complete it over two days, stopping overnight around Leura, but if you're reasonably fit, it's definitely achievable as a long day hike.
The scenery changes constantly, with waterfalls, rainforest, clifftop views and sandstone escarpments all along the way. Even though you're never too far from town, you'd never know it once you're walking.
11. Mount Solitary via Ruined Castle & the Golden Stairs, Katoomba
~18–22 km • Hard • 7–10 hours (or overnight)
If I had to recommend one challenging hike in the Blue Mountains, this would probably be it.
Mount Solitary is that huge flat-topped mountain you can see from so many of the lookouts around Katoomba, and standing on top of it after making the journey across the valley is incredibly rewarding.
The hike starts by descending the Golden Stairs before crossing the Jamison Valley towards Ruined Castle. Even if you're not planning on continuing to Mount Solitary, Ruined Castle alone is worth the trip.
If you continue on, you'll eventually reach the Korowal Knife Edge before climbing onto the summit of Mount Solitary. Despite its name, I found the navigation much easier than I expected, and while you'll use your hands in a few places, it never felt overly technical to me, especially if you're a regular hiker.
There's no reliable water along the route, so I'd recommend carrying at least three litres, especially during the warmer months. If you're hiking in winter, start early because the sun disappears behind the escarpment much earlier than you'd expect.
If you've got the time, I'd highly recommend turning it into an overnight hike. Camping at Chinamans Gully breaks up the distance nicely and gives you the chance to explore Melvilles Lookout, which is honestly one of my favourite lookouts anywhere in the Blue Mountains.
Final Thoughts
The Blue Mountains is one of those places I never get tired of exploring. Every time I visit, I end up discovering something new, whether it's a different track, a hidden lookout or simply seeing a familiar place in a different season.
If it's your first visit, I'd recommend starting with Minnehaha Falls or Leura Cascades. They're both relatively easy and give you a great taste of what makes the Blue Mountains so special.
If you're chasing big views without much effort, Castle Head or Bald Head via Hat Hill are great options.
And if you're looking to challenge yourself or train for bigger adventures, Perrys Lookdown, Kedumba and Mount Solitary are three hikes I come back to again and again.
Whichever walk you choose, take your time, check the weather, and enjoy it. The Blue Mountains isn't somewhere to rush through, and that's exactly why I keep going back.
