Meandering along Lawson Ridge in the Blue Mountains

Australia, Lawson, NSW, Western Sydney & Blue Mountains
Blue Mountains National Park
Dharug, Gundungara Land

Summary: The bushwalk along Lawson Ridge provides access via short detours to a trig point, waterfall and an informal lookout with sweeping Blue Mountains views.

Trailhead: End of Queens Road, Lawson
Public transport options: Train
2.8km walk from Lawson station
Distance: 9.8km
Duration: 3-4 hours
Grade: Easy/Moderate
9.8m total ascent
Route type: Loop
Best season/s: All year
Topographic map/s: 8930-1S KATOOMBA (1:25K). Buy / Download
Online map: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/lawson-ridge-29b6e69
No Dogs
Mountain bikes partly allowed

Lawson Ridge is not the most exciting bushwalk you can do in the Blue Mountains… but it’s a pleasant walk that passes a trig point and waterfall, and offers some nice views. The walk starts from the end of Queens Road, and follows the unsealed road to a locked gate which marks the start of the North Lawson Firetrail.

IMG 4564 LR Meandering along Lawson Ridge in the Blue Mountains

IMG 4640 LR Meandering along Lawson Ridge in the Blue Mountains

The first detour after about 0.6km is up to the Blue Mountain Trig Station, which offers sweeping views, including Mount Hay and Mount Banks in the distance.

IMG 4567 LR Meandering along Lawson Ridge in the Blue Mountains

IMG 4577 LR Meandering along Lawson Ridge in the Blue Mountains

The next detour is up an overgrown firetrail on the left, which ascends to an unnamed “peak”.

IMG 4584 LR Meandering along Lawson Ridge in the Blue Mountains

IMG 4586 LR Meandering along Lawson Ridge in the Blue Mountains

It’s easy walking but not worth the effort; the trail ends at a small, rocky platform. Maybe there were once views from here over Blue Mountain Creek in the valley below. (You could continue from here down to the creek, which would be a steep descent.)

IMG 4587 LR Meandering along Lawson Ridge in the Blue Mountains

IMG 4588 LR Meandering along Lawson Ridge in the Blue Mountains

Next is off-track detour to Amphitheatre Falls. The top of the small waterfall is easy to get to.

IMG 1412 LR Meandering along Lawson Ridge in the Blue Mountains

But reaching the base is a trip for another day… there’s a tall cliff is above Blue Mountain Creek on both sides, so you need to find a gap to scramble down, and then negotiate thick scrub in the valley to reach the base of Amphitheatre Falls.

IMG 4596 LR Meandering along Lawson Ridge in the Blue Mountains

IMG 4597 LR Meandering along Lawson Ridge in the Blue Mountains

We’re soon back on the Lawson Ridge Fire Trail again, which crosses Blue Mountain Creek above the waterfall as it continues along the ridge.

IMG 4600 LR Meandering along Lawson Ridge in the Blue Mountains

IMG 4601 LR Meandering along Lawson Ridge in the Blue Mountains

Our last detour follows a rough track up to a high point on Lawson Ridge, passing a rock platform with interesting ironstone formations.

IMG 4604 LR Meandering along Lawson Ridge in the Blue Mountains

IMG 4635 LR Meandering along Lawson Ridge in the Blue Mountains

The ridgetop vantage point offers the best views of the Lawson Ridge bushwalk, with many of the taller peaks of the Explorers Range visible to the north, including Mount Banks and Mount Strzelecki.

peakvisor photo Lawson Ridge Meandering along Lawson Ridge in the Blue Mountains

From here we re-trace our steps along the firetrail; the intent was to return via the Lawson Swamp Track – but as the name suggests, it was not only swampy but soon petered out completely.

IMG 4637 LR Meandering along Lawson Ridge in the Blue Mountains

IMG 4639 LR Meandering along Lawson Ridge in the Blue Mountains

A pleasant walk, another trig point… and a few off-track opportunities for another day!

Getting to Lawson Ridge

You can park near the end of Queens Road in Lawson where it meets Binnowee Drive… or continue a little further along the unsealed Binnowee Drive until you reach a locked gate. It’s about 1.6km (3min drive) from the Great Western Highway or a 2.8km walk (40min) from Lawson railway station.