Walls Ledge Loop – a scenic Blackheath bushwalk with views

In search of a scenic half-day bushwalk near Blackheath, I’m combining the Walls Ledge Loop (which you can do a stand-alone walk) with the spectacular Porters Pass and Colliers Causeway loop walk. The starting point for the combined loop walk is the Centennial Glen Carpark, where I manage to nab the last parking spot, before setting off along the Walls Ledge track. The track heads toward the top of the Upper Shipley Plateau cliffs, and glimpses of the Kanimbla Valley soon come into view.

Walls Ledge gets its name from Captain James Wall, a retired sea captain who lived in the area and was a trustee of the Blackheath Reserves. There’s increasingly expansive views of the Kanimbla Valley as the track continues toward the cliff-line.

After 0.6km, the track drops a short distance, passing an interesting line of rock shelters – and a sign discouraging the use of these overhangs as toiletting facilities.

The Wall Ledge track does a sharp 180-degree turn, and now heads back just below the upper track that I was just on.

The lower Walls Ledge follows a rock ledge of Mt York Claystone, a narrow band of sedimentary rocks. I spot the first of many rock-climbers who are scaling the walls above the track – which is the reason why the carpark is almost always full on a weekend. This is a very popular climbing spot.

This is a very picturesque section of track, as it follows the relatively thin ledge in the cliffs. There are countless climbers taking advantage of the great weather, as well as a few bushwalkers and the occasional dog.

I soon reach the junction with the Centennial Glen track; here you can return to the Centennial Glen Carpark (to complete the 1.8km Walls Ledge Loop), or add a very short trip to The Grotto – an incredibly picturesque swimming hole and waterfall.

You can also continue along the Colliers Causeway track, for the scenic and more challenging Porters Pass and Colliers Causeway loop – and one of the best bushwalks in the Blue Mountains.

Getting to Walls Ledge Loop

The starting point of the Walls Ledge loop walk is the Centennial Glen Carpark, which is at the end of Centennial Glen Road (off Shipley Road) in Blackheath. It’s a very short drive from Blackheath, and can be accessed by foot from Blackheath station.