The Ferris Cave Circuit at Mount Victoria is dwarved in popularity by the adjoining Coxs Cave Circuit… but its in many ways a much more interesting bushwalk. Neither of the two bushwalks are very busy, despite offering scenery that rivals that of the more popular tourist tracks. As the Ferris Cave Circuit is a fairly short loop, we combined it with the Coxs Cave Circuit into a 7.6km bushwalk – and you could extend it further by continuing to Pulpit Rock and Bushrangers Cave.
The Ferris Cave Circuit starts and finishes at Mount Piddington, with the same trail providing access to the Cox Cave Circuit. (The track signage has the Ferris Cave Circuit as being a 1.2km / 1 hour circuit which is a much shorter version than what described here – and misses some of the best scenery!)
The trail soon reaches one of the most spectacular section of the bushwalk, as it narrows to a ledge that passes under a towering overhang.
The trail follows the base of the cliffs, offering a nice view over the Kanimbla Valley to the south.
Along this cliff-line is Ferris Cave, a large amphitheatre of naturally carved red sandstone. The cave was named after Eleanour Alicia Ferris, whose father was one of the surveyors who surveyed the Main Western Line across the Blue Mountains.
The Ferris Cave Circuit continues to surprise, with more views of the impressive cliff-line and overhangs.
The trail passes a couple more overhangs as it continues along the base of the cliffs.
After swinging around the bottom of Boronia Point, the trail starts to ascend back up to the top of the cliffs.
A short detour off the Ferris Cave Circuit goes out to Boronia Point, which offers some sweeping views over the Kanimbla Valley. It’s worth doing this short side-trip if you have time.
The bushwalking trail reaches the Hornes Point Firetrail, which descends gently to Hourn Point (incorrectly spelt on some maps as Hornes Point). The signposted “official” Ferris Cave Circuit turns right onto the firetrail and soon finishes on Mount Piddongton Road.
The rocky Hourn Point lookout at the end of the firetrail offers some spectacular views over the Kanimbla Valley.
From the end of Hourn Point, the trail descends below the rocky lookout and follows the top of the cliffs on the western side of the headland. (The start of the trail is not very obvious, but once you find it, it’s a well-formed trail with a set of steps.)
There are nice views out to the west, as the fairly well-defined track continues along the edge of the cliff-line.
Almost below the track is the Shipley Valley, with Mount Victoria on the other side.
There are a couple of spots where the track can be a bit hard to follow; although none of this bushwalk is hard, this is the most challenging (but also the most scenic) section of the bushwalk.
Near the end of the cliff-line is another impressive ledge, which has been deeply undercut into the top of the cliffs.
There’s another vista out to the west, before the trail veers away from the edge of the cliff.
The trail dips into a small gully called Witches Glen and past Swaggies Cave, an unofficial name for a small shelter.
Emerging from Witches Glen, the trail continues a bit further along the cliffs before dropping into another gully.
After a short but steep and slightly muddy descent the track reaches a junction with Rienits Pass, (which goes from Pulpit Rock to Kanimbla Road via Ross Cave). We continue along Rienits Pass towards Pulpit Rock, but soon reach another junction to the track that goes to Witches Glen Falls.
It’s a better track than I expected; it initially descends down a gully through ferns and Coachwood trees.
The trail then follows the base of the upper cliffs, passing under some overhangs.
Some weathered steps hewn into the rocks are evidence that this track was constructed some time ago – Rienits Pass was built in 1911 (although this track is not actually Rienits Pass, which follows the top of the escarpment).
A trail drops steeply down into the valley, which descends to meet the Little Zig Zag track. Soon after this junction, the trail stops at Witches Glen Falls, where Witches Glen Creek drops plunges over the cliffs.
Retracing our steps back up to the junction, we follow Rienits Pass which ascends through Wilsons Glen.
Within Wilsons Glen, just before Rienits Pass reaches the road, is Ross Cave. The dome-shaped cave was most likely named after Edward Ross Fairfax (son of the late Hon. John Fairfax MLC and a local resident whose family purchased land here in 1876).
Rienits Pass ends near the junction of Carlisle Parade and Beck St; from here it’s an easy 600m stroll along the road back to Mount Piddington to complete the Ferris Cave Circuit.
The Ferris Circuit as described here is about 5.8km, including the side-trips to Boronia Point and Witches Glen Falls. Allow 2 – 2.5 hours as it takes a bit longer than the distance on the map indicates.
Getting to the Ferris Cave Circuit
The Ferris Cave Circuit starts at the end of Mount Piddington Road in Mount Victoria, which is about 1.5km (4min drive) from Victoria Station and 18km (20min) from Katoomba. It can also be done using public transport, with a 15-20min walk getting you to the trailhead. The trail starts on the eastern side of Mount Piddington Road which does a loop around the peak, with parking available along the road.
More information
- Mountain Mist Books – Keith Painter – Great Walks at Mount Victoria
- Jim Smith – How to see the Blue Mountains (Map 13)
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