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BLUE MOUNTAINS (NSW)
National Pass |
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Circuit : 5 – 6 km ; Time : 2 hours 30 minutes The National Pass Trail has been widely recognized as one of the best Australian Walks, and for good reason. I had read about it, and had some apprehension about precarious crossings above high waterfalls and clinging to sheer cliffs, but in fact it was nothing like that. Although, looking at the photos, one might wonder! There are some similarities to the Leura Cascades circuit, but this walk is much more dramatic. The following sketch indicates that it might be fun!
We start from the Wentworth Car Park with the track down to the Falls. There is good signposting for this track.
The stream comes down in a splashing cascade above the Falls ...
... really very pretty.
Now it is time to cross the stream above the top Fall, with a pleasant view upstream ...
... and a rather more scary view down. There are good stepping stones and a protective rail. (Actually when I was here, the rail was askew and draped with warning red plastic!)
From the cliff top we can see back down across the Fall to where the track goes, midway up the cliff.
We now negotiate our way down a near vertical cliff. These tracks and stairs were cut by ‘the Irish Brigade’ in 1908 – I don't know how they did it.
Not a good track for walkers scared of heights ...
... but safety today is not an issue.
Looking back ...
And here we are at the base of (upper) Wentworth Falls.
Again there is a stream crossing above an abyss, but good stepping stones.
Another view of the top Fall, from across the stream.
Now begins the next part of the adventure: the mid-cliff crossing, and under a small waterfall!
This was a crouching-over part of the track (for me), but good fencing.
From here we get a nice view of both Falls.
Also looking back, we get this zoomed view of the cliff we came down. You should be able to see at least three staircases.
Our track continues through some wet patches. Notice the beautifully hewn sandstone stepping stones.
Hmmm ...
The scale is immense. I feel like an ant crawling along here.
It looks narrow, but much of the down side is not exactly precipitous ...
... and when it is, a fence is provided ...
... sometimes!
We come to this distant view of Sylvia Falls. The problem is, how to get there.
First of all, under this overhang ...
... and then down some more steps. I was really thinking it was time to start the upward climb.
And here we are.
A delightful waterfall,
and the beginning of a long climb up a beautiful valley.
Further up the valley we cross the stream again at the foot of the lovely Empress Falls.
Climbing,
climbing,
and really climbing!
Finally the track starts to level out.
The Queen Victoria Lookout gives a general view of where we have been.
I bypassed the nearby Conservation Hut (known for conversation and coffee), and headed back for the Wentworth Falls car park along this relatively easy Shortcut Track.
An exhilarating walk which still gives me a thrill as I think about it. For anyone wanting to do one serious walk in the Blue Mountains, this would be it. To experience more of this great trail you might like to check out the superb website |
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