The Cliff Top Track is a breath-taking walk around the edge of the Grose Valley, between Govetts Leap and Evans lookouts. The many lookouts along this track show off the stunning Grose Valley. The track also showcases Govetts Leap from close up, at Barrows Lookout, and further away, from Govetts Leap Lookout. Let us begin by acknowledging the Dharug & Gundungurra people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
Bridal Veil Falls from Govetts Leap Lookout. | Photo by adminTrack to Braeside Walk from Govetts Leap Lookout. | Photo by adminCliff Top Track. | Photo by adminCliff Top track across Govetts Leap Brook. | Photo by adminGovetts Leap Falls from Barrows Lookout. | Photo by adminLizard on track to Barrows Lookout. | Photo by adminGrose Valley from Cliff Top Walk. | Photo by adminEvans Lookout car park. | Photo by adminView from Evan's Lookout. | Photo by admin
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.
Getting started From the intersection, the walk heads up the hill, following the sign to 'Evans Lookout' and keeping the Grose Valley below on the left. The track rises for approximately 400m and then heads down the hillside. The walk zigzags down the hill, with stairs, and then crosses a creek with cement steppingstones, coming to a signposted intersection on the other side. From the intersection, this walk heads up the winding stairs towards the cliffs. The soon comes to the railed Barrow Lookout, where there is a bench seat.....
Turn map
Directions & comments
At the intersection of Cliff Top Track & Loop Track Start heading along Loop Track (a walking track).
Find the car park at the start.
Parking Accessible (about 105 m back from the start).
Parking Accessible
Parking Accessible
There are two signposted parking places at the lower end of the sealed Fairfax track. Specific parking bays are not marked with lines. The carpark has a loose gravel surfaces with some eroded sections.
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There are two signposted parking places at the lower end of the sealed Fairfax track. Specific parking bays are not marked with lines. The carpark has a loose gravel surfaces with some eroded sections.
Trip Hazard (about 100 m back from the start).
Trip Hazard
Trip Hazard
A 5 to 10cm step between carpark and track. Access is between bollards that are 110cm apart.
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A 5 to 10cm step between carpark and track. Access is between bollards that are 110cm apart.
Picnic Shelter (about 45 m back from the start).
Picnic Shelter
Picnic Shelter
Picnic shelters at the end of Govetts Leap Road. Seats are ~45cm high and benches 75cm high. Most shelters have an entrance ~1.2m wide with, and similar gap between table and wall. The largest shelter has an entrance wider than 4m, bench seating but no tables.
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Picnic shelters at the end of Govetts Leap Road. Seats are ~45cm high and benches 75cm high. Most shelters have an entrance ~1.2m wide with, and similar gap between table and wall. The largest shelter has an entrance wider than 4m, bench seating but no tables.
After 90 m pass the water tap (5 m on your right).
Turn sharp right.
After another 20 m pass the toilet (25 m on your left).
Then find the "Toilet Accessible" (30 m on your left).
Toilet Accessible
Toilet Accessible
Signposted accessible and general use male and female toilets. Access via concrete ramp, however, the top of the ramp is accessed via loose gravel carpark with some steep eroded sections.
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Signposted accessible and general use male and female toilets. Access via concrete ramp, however, the top of the ramp is accessed via loose gravel carpark with some steep eroded sections.
After another 20 m pass the sign (25 m on your left).
Veer right.
After another 15 m pass the sign.
After another 10 m find the "Govetts Leap Lookout" (6 m on your right).
Govetts Leap Lookout
Govetts Leap Lookout
Govetts Leap Lookout is named after the first European man to have enjoyed this view, William Govett, as an assistant surveyor in June 1831. Govetts Leap Lookout offers wonderful views over the Grose Valley and the spectacular Bridal Falls. The word `leap` is an old Scottish word meaning waterfall. The lookout is easily accessed from the car park, there are also toilets and picnic shelters nearby.
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Govetts Leap Lookout is named after the first European man to have enjoyed this view, William Govett, as an assistant surveyor in June 1831. Govetts Leap Lookout offers wonderful views over the Grose Valley and the spectacular Bridal Falls. The word `leap` is an old Scottish word meaning waterfall. The lookout is easily accessed from the car park, there are also toilets and picnic shelters nearby.
After another 1 m continue straight, to head along Cliff Top Track.
After another 245 m pass a seat (5 m on your right).
After another 15 m head down the earthen steps (about 370 m long)
Then pass a seat (5 m on your right)., has no backrest.
After another 165 m find the "Govetts Leap (falls)" (35 m on your left).
Govetts Leap (falls)
Govetts Leap (falls)
Govetts Leap, is a waterfall in the Blue Mountains National Park. The fall is fed by Govetts Leap Brook which runs over the cliff into the Grose Valley. The falls are best viewed from Govetts Leap and Barrow Lookouts. Leap is a scots dialect word for cataract or waterfall.
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Govetts Leap, is a waterfall in the Blue Mountains National Park. The fall is fed by Govetts Leap Brook which runs over the cliff into the Grose Valley. The falls are best viewed from Govetts Leap and Barrow Lookouts. Leap is a scots dialect word for cataract or waterfall.
After another 15 m pass the "Bridal Veil Falls" (30 m on your left).
After another 7 m cross the stepping stones.
After another 7 m (at the intersection of Braeside Walk & Cliff Top Track) turn left, to head along Cliff Top Track (a steps).
Then head down the earthen steps (about 75 m long)
After another 15 m find the "Barrow Lookout" (5 m on your right).
Barrow Lookout
Barrow Lookout
Barrow Lookout, Blue Mountains National Park, looks down to Govetts Leap falls and across the Grose Valley. The lookout is fenced and has a bench seat to rest.
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Barrow Lookout, Blue Mountains National Park, looks down to Govetts Leap falls and across the Grose Valley. The lookout is fenced and has a bench seat to rest.
Then pass a seat (on your right)., has a backrest.
After another 280 m come to the viewpoint.
After another 9 m pass a seat (5 m on your right)., has no backrest.
After another 235 m continue straight, to head along Cliff Top Track.
After another 65 m pass a seat (7 m on your right)., has no backrest.
After another 910 m head down the earthen steps (about 185 m long)
Then cross the bridge (about 40 m long)
Then find the "Hayward Gully" (15 m on your left).
Hayward Gully
Hayward Gully
Hayward Gully, Blue Mountains National Park, is named after the first white man, William Hayward, to reach the floor of Govetts Gorge, in 1847. The area is a small gully along the Cliff Top Walk between Evans Lookout and Barrows Lookout. The gully is a quiet place, with a bench seat to enjoy the flora and fauna, and views through the trees into the Grose Valley.
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Hayward Gully, Blue Mountains National Park, is named after the first white man, William Hayward, to reach the floor of Govetts Gorge, in 1847. The area is a small gully along the Cliff Top Walk between Evans Lookout and Barrows Lookout. The gully is a quiet place, with a bench seat to enjoy the flora and fauna, and views through the trees into the Grose Valley.
After another 25 m pass the sign (on your left).
After another 480 m pass the toilet (15 m on your right).
Veer left, to head along Cliff Top Track.
After another 65 m (at the intersection of Grand Canyon Track & Cliff Top Track) turn right, to head along Grand Canyon Track.
About 80 m past the end is "Valley View Lookout".
Valley View Lookout
Valley View Lookout
Valley View Lookout, Blue Mountains National Park, looks over the spectacular Grose Valley with its deep gorges, green forest and prominent cliff lines.
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Valley View Lookout, Blue Mountains National Park, looks over the spectacular Grose Valley with its deep gorges, green forest and prominent cliff lines.
Turn right.
After another 9 m to find the "Evans lookout parking".
Then pass the sign (on your left).
About 30 m past the end is a BBQ.
About 100 m past the end is a shelter.
The end.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities
Cliff Top Track
Grading
Class 4/6
Hard track
Length
3.1 km
Time
1 h 30 min to 1 h 45 min
Quality of track
Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient
Very steep (4/6)
Signage
Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure
Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required
No experience required (1/6)
Weather
Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
Some facilities on route
Shelter: There is one 3.1 km from the start.
Toilet: There are 2 on route, on average they are 1 km apart with the largest gap of 3 km.
Seat: There are 5 on route, on average they are 510 m apart with the largest gap of 1.7 km.
Bushwalk
1 h 30 min to 1 h 45 min
Shelter: There is one 3.1 km from the start.
Toilet: There are 2 on route, on average they are 1 km apart with the largest gap of 3 km.
Seat: There are 5 on route, on average they are 510 m apart with the largest gap of 1.7 km.
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Find the car park at the start.
Parking Accessible (about 105 m back from the start).
Trip Hazard (about 100 m back from the start).
Picnic Shelter (about 45 m back from the start).
After 90 m pass the water tap (5 m on your right).
Then find the "Toilet Accessible" (30 m on your left).
After another 20 m pass the sign (25 m on your left).
After another 10 m find the "Govetts Leap Lookout" (6 m on your right).
After another 15 m head down the earthen steps (about 370 m long)
After another 165 m find the "Govetts Leap (falls)" (35 m on your left).
After another 7 m cross the stepping stones.
Then cross the bridge (about 40 m long)
Then find the "Hayward Gully" (15 m on your left).
About 30 m past the end is a BBQ.
