The relatively short Valley Heights Firetrail Loop bushwalk in the Lower Blue Mountains turned out to be quite different to what I’d planned – in a surprisingly good way. I’m starting the walk along Banksia Drive, where the Valley Heights Fire Trail descends into the bush.
It’s a pleasant walk and although it’s a relatively thin strip of bushland between the outkirts of Valley Heights suburbia, you wouldn’t realise this without looking at a map.
My plan was to follow the firetrail, but after about 600m it looks much more appealing to walk along the creek, which has a few small cascades but is otherwise easy walking and much more enjoyable on a hot day.
I need to skirt around the side of a small waterfall – which turns out to be the only spot where you need to briefly exit the creek.
The creek is never far from the firetrail, but you wouldn’t know it’s there. Above the creek on the left is a small cliff-line which I make a small detour to explore.
The firetrail crosses the creek a couple of times; the first time is via a concrete causeway.
For the second creek crossing I pass under the firetrail, via a low culvert.
For a short distance the water completely vanishes as the creek runs underground, before a section of dense ferns.
After the ferns is a nice section of creek, with shallow water and thick ferns on both sides.
The creek now starts to get much rockier and steeper, with a few boulders to negotiate.
This is my favourite section, with small cascades and some idyllic deep pools.
There are a few more minor obstacles but it’s still easy walking as the boulders give way to ferns again…
…and the ferns are replaced by rainforest, with moss-covered rocks and Coachwood trees.
It’s impossible to miss the “exit track” as the firetrail crosses the creek again above, just above the junction with a tributary creek and Valley Heights Waterfall.
The creek gets a bit scrubbier here, so I follow a distinct bushwalking track off the firetrail which follows the creek to the top of a small waterfall. A slightly overgrown and steep track goes down the right (western) side of the falls to small pool.
Informally known as the Valley Heights Waterfall, the small waterfall drops into a wide pool, which is deep enough in the middle for a swim.
I retrace my steps after a quick swim, this time taking the firetrail that follows the tributary creek up a different valley. (This creek is fairly dry, scrubby and doesn’t make for a very pleasant route!)
It’s a relatively short ascent back to Waratah Road, where I’ve left my car.
The Valley Heights Firetrail Loop isn’t the most exciting bushwalk if you follow the firetrail, but makes for a very good introduction to off-track walking if you swap the trails for the creek. The creek is always fairly close to the firetrail if you decide you prefer a trail, and there’s very little scrambling or obstructions to negotiate (although this can quickly change after a big storm). Alternatively it’s a very pleasant bushwalk on a warm day, with plenty of opportunities for a swim. Allow 3-4 hours if following the creek, and 1.5 to 2 hours on the trail.
It’s dog-friendly except for the waterfall, which is within the Blue Mountains National Park.
Getting to the Valley Heights Firetrail Loop
You can start the Valley Heights Firetrail Loop on Waratah Road or Banksia Drive; either option requires about 1.9km of road-walking which I prefer to do at the start. Parking is much easiest near the junction of Waratah Road and Green Parade. It’s about a 14km (15min) from the end of the M4 freeway at Emu Plains or 32km (30min) from Katooomba.
The Valley Heights Firetrail Loop ia also a great bushwalk to do by public transport, as the route passes directly by Valley Heights station on the Blue Mountains Line (BMT).
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