How to See the Blue Mountains by Jim Smith, Revisited

The iconic “How to See the Blue Mountains” book by Jim Smith was for a long time the bible for bushwalking in the upper Blue Mountains, documenting just about every walking track between Wentworth Falls and Mount Victoria. It was first published in 1982 for the princely sum of $2.95; two more editions were published in 1989 and 1992. It encouraged bushwalkers to utilise public transport to access walks, included bushwalks that pass through private property and “recommended in a few cases ignoring NPWS ‘no entry’ signs” – sage advice that you’d (sadly) never see in a book today.

Unfortunately “How to See the Blue Mountains” has been out-of-print for some years, although used copies can be found on-line and often pop up in second hand bookshops. Some of the bushwalks have fallen into disuse but can still be followed, while a few have been permanently closed due to landslides or access restrictions. The list below includes all the bushwalks in the first edition of “How to See the Blue Mountains”, sometimes with slightly amended routes necessitated by changes in the tracks or access to tracks.

Wentworth Falls (Map 1)

	Walk	Description / Notes	Length	Map
1	Circular Drive – Weeping Rock – Fletchers Lookout – Circular Drive	Short walk with waterfall and lookout (starts from Wentworth Falls Picnic Area & carpark)	1.8km	AllTrails
2	Circular Drive – Princes Rock – Weeping Rock – Queens Cascades – Fletchers Lookout – Circular Drive	Slightly longer version of Walk 1 from Wentworth Falls Picnic Area; Jim calls Princes Rock “one of the best lookouts in the Blue Mountains”	2.4km	AllTrails
3	Circular Drive – Weeping Rock – Queens Cascades – Rocket Point – Undercliff Walk – Den Fenella	Another variant of the many walks you can do from the Wentworth Falls Picnic Area with more lookouts (including three “abandoned lookouts” which are still accessible today via Stonehaven Pass).	3.1km	AllTrails
4	Circular Drive – Undercliff Walk – Overcliff Walk – Valley of the Waters	One of the classic and best Wentworth Falls bushwalks that passes some spectacular scenery and all the major lookouts.	3.9km	AllTrails
5	Murphy Lane – Boronia Point – Lady See’s Lookout – Den Fenella	The track from the end of Murphys Lane is still accessible, but I can’t find any reference to Boronia Point Lookout, and Lady See’s Lookout has been decommissioned and blocked off.
6	The ‘Hut’ – Empress Lookout – Queen Victoria LO – Lyre Bird LO – Murphy Lane	Starting from the Conservation Hut Cafe at the end of Fletcher St, this easy bushwalk takes in three Wentworth Falls lookouts.	1.8km	AllTrails
7	The National Pass	Jim described the National Pass as “one of the most spectacular walks in the Blue Mountains”; sady, a major landslide in 2017 resulted in the closure of most of the track (the Grand Stairway is still open).
8	The Wentworth Pass	Like the National Pass, the more rugged Wentworth Pass via Slack’s Stairs has been closed for a number of years due to a landslide. It may one day re-open.	4.8km	AllTrails
9	Vera Falls	A rough track for “experienced walkers” continues past Vera Falls to make a circuit. This route has been officially closed for some time.	7.1km	AllTrails
10	Inspiration Point	Now called Moya Point Lookout, this is one of two lookouts on Inspiration Point (the other is Gladstone Point) reached from the Fairmont Resort. (Jim’s route starts from the Conservation Hut, making it a bit longer.)	2.7km	AllTrails
11	Roberts Pass	Experienced walkers only. A steep pass, which is easier now that the ladder has been replaced. It connects to the Vera Falls track and Lindeman Pass. Part of Roberts Pass is closed due to rockfall hazard.	4.6km	AllTrails
12	A Section of Lindeman Pass	Experienced walkers only. From the bottom of Roberts Pass, Jim restored the Lindeman Pass up to the old Gladstone Coal Mine. Lindeman Pass continues to the Gladstone Pass and onto the Federal Pass.	16.3km	AllTrails
13	The Nature Trail	An easy loop walk from the Conservation Hut that passes the Asmodeus Pool and Edinburgh Castle Rock	3.5km	AllTrails
14	Kings Tableland Cliff Edge Walks	What Jim described as a “rather faint trail” is now the Little Switzerland Track, which follows the top of the cliffs past Rocket Point Lookout.	4.2km	AllTrails
15	Darwin’s Walk	Like the previous walk, what was an unofficial route along Jamison Creek is now a well graded, signposted trail between the highway and Weeping Rock.	4.7km	AllTrails
16	Water Nymphs’ Dell	A steep and rough trail down to a small waterfall.	1.6km	AllTrails

McMahons Point (Map 1a)

	Walk	Description / Notes	Length	Map
17	McMahons Point to Lake Burragorang	While I concur with Jim that the Water Board restrictions are “absurd” (he noted it was illegal to do this walk), there are significant penalties for entering the restricted area and this bushwalk is no longer possible.	N/A	No access

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Katoomba-Leura (Map 2)

	Walk	Description / Notes	Length	Map
18	Prince Henry Cliff Walk	Re-branded as the Grand Cliff Top Walk in 2024. this iconic walk passes 20+ lookouts over the Jamison Valley. It can be done in shorter sections.	18.7km	AllTrails
19	Gordon Falls Lookout – Pool of Siloam – Lyre Birds Glen	An easy loop walk to a popular lookout and waterfall. Jim noted environmental degradation from the sewer line, which has been remediated.	1.9km	AllTrails
20	Gordon Falls Lookout – Pool of Siloam – Sublime Point	Jim described this as a one-way walk, with much of the walk on-road; it can now be done on bushwalking tracks.	5.6km	AllTrails
21	Gordon Falls Lookout – Pool of Siloam – Lyre Birds Glen	Experienced Walkers Only. What Jim described as “an overgrown track” from Lyre Birds Glen doesn’t exist any more; however, this walk is very similar to Walk 19.
22	Echo Point – Giant Stairway – Dardanelles Pass – Linda Falls – Prince Henry Cliff Walk	The Dardanelles Pass Loop descends to the valley via the Giant Stairway, passing multiple waterfalls as it returns via the Federal Pass. The route passes multiple lookouts along the Prince Henry Cliff Walk.	5.8km	AllTrails
23	Katoomba Cascades – Prince Henry Cliff Walk – Giant Stairway – Federal Pass – Furber Steps	Lots of scenic lookouts on this short but hard bushwalk, which drops into the Jamison Valley via the Giant Stairway and ascends via the Furber Steps (or you take the Scenic Railway up).	5.9km	AllTrails
24	Leura Cascades – Federal Pass – Giant Stairway / Furber Steps – Prince Henry Cliff Walk	There are two “versions” of this loop walk – both starting at Leura Cascades and descending into the Jamison Valley via the Amphitheatre Track / Federal Pass. The shorter version ascends via the Giant Stairway and the longer one via Furber Steps. Both complete the loop by returning along the Prince Henry Cliff Walk.	11km	AllTrails
25	Mount Solitary	A full day walk down Furbers Steps and along the Federal Pass to Mount Solitary, with a side-trip to Ruined Castle.	22km	AllTrails

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Leura Falls (Map 3)

	Walk	Description / Notes	Length	Map
26	Round Walk: Leura Cascades – Prince Henry Cliff Walk	A family-friendly walking track which passes several lookouts, offering great views of Katoomba Falls.	1.8km	AllTrails
27	Leura Cascades – Amphitheatre – Fern Bower – Prince Henry Cliff Walk	A short, signposted loop that offers waterfalls and lookouts via the Amphitheatre Track and Prince Henry Cliff Walk	2.2km	AllTrails
28	Weeping Rock area	A side-track off the Amphitheatre Track to a small waterfall (Jim noted that Leura Falls Creek had dried up, but this is no longer the case).
29	Fern Bower – Linda Falls – Bottom of Leura Falls – Adelina Cascades – Linda Falls	A longer version of Walk 27, which descends into Jamison Valley to the bottom of Leura Falls via the Federal Pass.		AllTrails

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Katoomba Falls (Map 4)

	Walk	Description / Notes	Length	Map
30	Round Walk	A very short loop walk from Cliff Drive (the Kiosk that Jim refers to as the starting point is no longer there).	0.9km	AllTrails
31	Orphan Rock	Once \the most popular lookout in the Blue Mountains, this vantage point is now derelict and abandoned.	1.8km
32	Kiosk – Bottom of First Fall – Furbers Steps – Base of Second Fall – Scenic Railway	A steep descent via Furber Steps to both the top and bottom tiers of Katoomba Falls (the base of the second falls needs a short bush-bash). Return via Scenic Railway or back up Furbers Steps	2.2km	AllTrails

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Nellys Glen and Narrow Neck (Map 5)

	Walk	Description / Notes	Length	Map
33	Diamond Falls	Experienced Walkers Only. A “completely overgrown and rather prickly” track is now a fairly distinct track used by climbers, and is no long4r particularly challenging.	2.1km	AllTrails
34	Devils Hole – Water Board Ladders – Narrow Neck Road	An ascent (or descent) of the Water Board Ladders is now very challenging / dangerous as the middle section of the ladders has been removed.
35	Nelly’s Glen to base of Bonnie Doon Falls	A scramble to the base of a picturesque waterfall from the Six Foot Track.	2.5km	AllTrails
36	Nelly’s Glen to Water Board Ladders / Devils Hole	An alternative to Walk 34, which combines a section of the Six Foot Track through Nellies Glen with an ascent up Devils Hole.	16km	AllTrails
37	Bonnie Doon Tracks	Experienced Walkers Only. Jim may be referring to the Cliff Walk off the Six Foot Track, which also connects to the Great Western Highway.

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Jamison and Megalong Valleys (Map 6)

	Walk	Description / Notes	Length	Map
38	Megalong Valley Road – Six Foot Track – Coxs River	Experienced Walkers Only. Described as a long day-walk with the risk of encountering “unfriendly landowners”, this walk follows Megalong Creek and then the Coxs River to a camping area and eco-lodge.	16km	AllTrails
39	Packsaddlers – Breakfast Creek – Coxs River	Experienced Walkers Only. Purchased by the NPWS in the late 1990s, Packsaddlers was a commercial horse-packing operation run by the Carlon family, better known as Carlon’s Farm or Dunphys Campground. Can be done as a out-and-back walk or a loop returning via the Ironmonger Track.	15km	AllTrails
40	Narrow Neck Road – Carlon Head – Megalong Valley Road – Packsaddlers	Experienced Walkers Only. The route as described requires a long (38km / 1hr) car-shuffle. The alternative Carlon Head and Tarros Ladders loop starts & finishes at Dunphys Campground (Packsaddlers). Carlon Head is an exposed pass with metal rungs and chains.	11km / 17km	AllTrails
41	Narrow Neck Road – Duncan’s Pass – Medlow Gap	Experienced Walkers Only. An “out and back” route along Narrow Neck, descending Tarros Ladders (Duncan’s Pass) via spikes in the cliffs to Medlow Gap. Alternatively, you could return from Medlow Gap via Carlon Head. The Carlon Head and Tarros Ladders loop also incorporates Duncan’s Pass (from Dunphys Campground).	28km	AllTrails
42	The Lindeman Pass	Experienced Walkers Only. Often described as the Mystery Track, this historic route follows the base of the cliffs from Leura (from the Federal Pass) to Wentworth Falls (Roberts Pass). Lindeman Pass can also be accessed via the Copeland Pass and Gladstone. None of the route is officially maintained or well signposted.	10km	AllTrails
43	The Gladstone Pass	Experienced Walkers Only. Described by Jim as “magical”, the Gladstone Pass was one of the earliest Blue Mountains walks before the trail became neglected. It descends steeply down a beautiful ravine; return via Roberts Pass, Valley of the Waters or Copeland Pass.	7.5km	AllTrails
44	Kedumba Pass	While Jim describes this walk as entering the private property of the Kedumba Pastoral Company and violating Water Board regulations, this is one of the few times where this now a completely “legal” route. However, I see no reason for walking down this steep & joyless maintenance road, other than as part of a Mount Solitary loop walk.	4.4km	AllTrails
45	Kedumba Pass – Leura Sewerage Treatment Works – Leura Falls	Such an enticing description for a bushwalk! This relatively long bushwalk is mostly on firetrails; the sewerage plant was de-commissioned in the late 1980s and the site is now just a clearing on the valley floor.	17km	AllTrails

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North Katoomba, Leura and Wentworth Falls (Map 7)

	Walk	Description / Notes	Length	Map
46	Minnie Ha Ha Falls	Now called Minnehaha Falls, this signposted and popular track descends to a waterfall and swimming hole.	2.4km	AllTrails
47	Mt Hay Road – Henlon Glen Track	An unfrequented walk that (mostly) uses powerline service trails to access Henson Glen on Govetts Creek; you can return the same way or via an alternative service trail to form a loop.	4.8km	AllTrails
48	Mt Hay Road – Henlon Glen – Queens Road – Bruces Walk	Experienced Walkers Only. An extension of Walk 47, which continues down Govetts Creek to where it meets Katoomba Creek. A narrow ledge leads to a pass up to the Minnehaha Trail along what Jim called the Queens Road Ridge.
49	Queens Road Swimming Hole	A steep descent from the end of the Minnehaha Trail to a swimming hole at the junction of Govetts Creek and Katoomba Creek.
50	Blaxland Road – Powerline Track – Creek – Mt Hay Road	A descent along the Evans Street Extension Firetrail and Bruces Walk to Wentworth Creek. Return the same way or continue up to Mount Hay Road.

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Medlow Bath – Hydro Majestic Paths (Map 8)

	Walk	Description / Notes	Length	Map
51	Delmonte Ave – Three Brothers – Hotel	A short wallk to a rock formation known as the “Three Brothers” from Delmonte Ave. Return the same way or finish at Hydro Majestic Hotel.	3.5km	AllTrails
52	Hotel – Glen Rosa Track – Hotel	Short walk to a lookout over the Kanimbla Valley.	3km	AllTrails
53	Hotel – Sunbath – Hotel	A very short walk from the Hydro Majestic to the remains of a shallow concrete pool once used for hydrotherapy.	<1km
54	Hotel – Sunbath – Wonderland Track – Mark’s Tomb – Station St – Hotel	An easy loop bushwalk from the Hydro Majestic that explores some of the historic trails, with a short detour to Mark’s Tomb (a natural rock formation).	4.6km	AllTrails
55	Hotel – Sunbath – Valley Farm – Colleseum	From just above the Sunbath, a steep track descends the cliffs (with ladders and impressive tunnels cut into the sandstone). The track continues along the base of the cliffs to the Coliseum, a natural amphitheatre-shaped cave. A landslide in 2016 took out the last section of the track.	4.3km	AllTrails
56	Hotel – Sunbath Valley Farm Track – Megalong Valley Road – Mermaid’s Cave – Station Street	Experienced Walkers Only. After reaching the base of the cliffs, turn right (left goes to the Coliseum) and follow a rough track that drops steeply to Megalong Valley Road. Most of the return is on roads, with an optional side-trip to Mermaids Cave & Falls.	12km	AllTrails
57	Medlow Bath Climbers’ Passes	Experienced Walkers Only. A climber’s pass down the cliffs from below the Glen Rosa Track, which follows the base of the cliffs to another pass up near the Three Brothers.
58	Delmonte Avenue – Fire Trail – Explorers Road	A combination of fire trails and bushwalking tracks between the end of Delmonte Avenue and Saywell Road. It’s about 2km one-way with a car shuffle – or a 6km loop.	6km	AllTrails

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Blackheath and Medlow Bath (Map 9)

	Walk	Description / Notes	Length	Map
59	Govetts Leap – Top of Bridal Veil Falls – Govetts Leap	A short, signposted walk to Barrow Lookout (Bridal Veil Falls is now called Govetts Leap Falls)	1.4km
60	Govetts Leap to Evans Lookout	The signposted Cliff Top Walking Track between Govetts Leap to Evans Lookout offers some of the most spectacular Blue Mountains views. (Can be done one-way with a car shuffle or taxi.)	6.6km	AllTrails
61	Govetts Leap to Pulpit Rock	A longer version of Walk 60, with even more spectacular vistas… can also be done one-way with a car shuffle or taxi.	8km	AllTrails
62	Govetts Leap – Pope’s Glen – Memorial Park	A pleasant and easy walk along Popes Glen Creek; best combined with Walk 63 to form a loop (or 4.4km one-way).	9.3km	AllTrails
63	Braeside Walk	An easy bushwalk with views and waterfalls; best combined with Walk 62 to form a loop (or 3.2km one-way).	9.3km	AllTrails
64	Govetts Leap – Bottom of Bridal Veil Falls – Govetts Leap	The steep Govetts Leap Track to the base of the Govetts Leap Falls is closed due to landslides
65	Govetts Leap – Bottom of Bridal Veil Falls – The Jungle – Bottom of Horseshoe Falls – Govetts Leap	To be explored.
66	Govetts Leap – Bottom of Bridal Veil Falls – Blue Gum Forest – Govetts Leap	This is no longer possible due to closure of the Rodriguez Pass; Walk 69 provides an alternative route.
67	Evans Lookout – Grand Canyon – Neates Glen	I’m not sure if Jim would be delighted or shocked by the popularity of this spectacular Blue Mountains bushwalk, which attracts an estimate of around 90,000 visitors annually.	6km	AllTrails
68	Evans Lookout – Rodriguez Pass – Govetts Leap	While the entire Rodriguez Pass is officially closed, you can still ascend/descend this track via Beuchamp Falls; returning via the Horse Track (Walk 69) allows you to form a loop.	8km	AllTrails
69	Evans Lookout – Horse Track – Rodriguez Pass – Evans Lookout / Govetts Leap	A challenging but scenic loop that descends to Govetts Creek. Ironically, while Jim advised readers to ignore the “No Entry” sign on the Horse Track, in 2023 NPWS re-openes this track as a result of the Rodriguez Pass being closed.	8km	AllTrails
70	Grand Canyon – Medlow Airfield – Grand Canyon	Described as a “magnificent track” that’s in poor condition, the historic Pilcher Point track is now in pretty good shape and provides alernative access to the Grand Canyon. Return the same way (3.2km) or you can continue down the Rodriguez Pass or along the Grand Canyon Track	3.2km	AllTrails
71	Tracks at end of Pilcher Point Road	A trail loops out to the edge of the cliff from the picnic area.
72	Wall’s Cave	A short but steep-ish walk down to an enormous overhang, which passes a small slot canyon. The return loop recommended by Jim is discouraged.	2km	AllTrails
73	Lake Medlow Tracks	Experienced Walkers Only. A “maze of forestry and horse-riding tracks” is now off-limits, being in the Water Board catchment area.

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Porters Pass area (Map 10)

	Walk	Description / Notes	Length	Map
74	Walls Ledge	Described as a “delightful walk”, the track is now in better condition that it was in the 1980s, and the area has escaped the threat of encroaching housing subdivisions that Jim feared.	1.4km	AllTrails
75	Walls Ledge – Centennial Pass – Fort Rock	An extension of Walk 74, which passes through the picturesque Centennial Pass and the Fort Rock lookout.	3.2km	AllTrails
76	Colliers Causeway	One of my favourite Blue Mountains bushwalks, this loop descends via ladders into Centennial Glen and passes The Grotto, before following the base of the cliffs and ascending via Porters Pass.	4.3km	AllTrails
77	Valley Track	An old track (Centennial Pass track on some maps) which is very overgrown and poorly marked.	5.3km	AllTrails

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Shipley Plateau (Map 11)

	Walk	Description / Notes	Length	Map
78	Bridle Track	One of the few traiils on the Shipley Plateau you can still do; the trail descends from Shipley Road via Arthurs Lookout to Kanimba Road.	2.7km	AllTrails
79	Shipley Glen	Noted by Jim as being one of the original tourist attractions of Shipley, this track is now on private land.
80	Double Echo Point	This track went from the Shipley Tea Rooms to a cliff-top lookout. It’s on private property and no longer accessible.
81	Shipley Tea Rooms to Megalong Valley	As with Walk 80, the first part of this walk traverses private property and is no longer accessible.
82	Eagle Head Point	This track provided “by a generous, public-spirited landowner” is on private land and no longer accessible.
83	The Amphitheatre	Once a “local picnic and gymkhana gathering point” the lookout and access trail are on private land.
84	Mt Blackheath Road to Shipley Crag	Experienced Walkers Only. Described by Jim as being “hopelessly overgrown”, this track no longer exists.

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Mount Boyce (Map 12)

	Walk	Description / Notes	Length	Map
85	Mt Boyce Cliff Top Walk	From the signposted “Great Blue Mountains Trail”, a bushwalking track descends to the top of Crevasse Gully.
86	Pass to base of Mt Boyce Cliffs	An extension of Walk 85, using two informal climbers’ tracks to descend to the bottom of the cliff line.
87	Station St to Mt Boyce Swamp	An unsignposted track down to the back of a swamp (branching off an informal maze of trail bike tracks), which doesn’t exist any more.

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Mt Victoria (Map 13)

	Walk	Description / Notes	Length	Map
88	Engineer’s Cascade and Henry Lawson Walk	A short walk which visits a small cascade and a cliff-top track that’s now overshadowed by houses.	1km	AllTrails
89	Fairy Dell	Included by Jim as a “case study in environmental deterioration” from the impact of sewerage treatment works.	4km	AllTrails
90	Little Zig Zag to Reinitt’s Pass	A loop walk that descends down the historic Little Zig Zag trail to pick up Reinitt’s Pass, which follows the base of the cliffs. Return via Wilsons Glen & Ross Cave.	3.5km	AllTrails
91	Pulpit Rock to Wilsons Glen	A shorter loop than Walk 91 which also starts from the end of Kanimbla Valley Road, passing Wilsons Glen & Ross Cave. (The area has largely escaped the urbanisation that Jim feared.)	1.6km	AllTrails
92	Little Zig Zag to Sugarloaf Mountain	Experienced Walkers Only. A rough track from Little Zig Zag that heads towards Sugarloaf Mountain (track no longer exists)
93	Mt Piddington to Witches Glen	A short walk from Mount Piddington to Witches Glen, which can be extended by continuing to Horne’s Point.	2.4km	AllTrails
94	Mt Piddington – Boronia Point – Ferris Cave – Mt Piddington	A loop walk that goes out to Boronia Point, before dropping under the cliff-line and passing Ferris Cave. (Can be combined with Walk 95 to form a longer bushwalk.)	1.6km	AllTrails
95	Mt Piddington – Coxs Cave – Mt Piddington	A popular walk to a large cave reached by a steel ladder (the original ladder described as unsafe by Jim has been replaced with a very sturdy steel one!)	1.8km	AllTrails
96	Toll House – Fairy Bower – Cox Cave – Mt Piddington	There are a few variants of this bushwalk, which starts from the old Toll House and follows the Fairy Bower Track.	6km+	AllTrails
97	Fairy Bower – Old Railway Track – Fairy Bower	Experienced Walkers Only. Now an off-track route, it follows Fairy Bower Creek after the turn-off to Coxs Cave to join up with an abandoned railway line.
98	Fairy Bower to Reinitt’s Pass	A challenging and partly off-track route that follows the base of the cliffs via the Dunns Leap Track; ascend Hornes Point (via an established track) or continue along the base of the cliffs to Witches Leap Falls.

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Mount York (Map 14)

	Walk	Description / Notes	Length	Map
99	Mt York – Coxs Road – Mt York	A short walk that explores part of the first road across the Blue Mountains	0.6km	AllTrails
100	Down Lawson’s Long Alley & up Lockyer’s Road	A fairly long loop bushwalk or mountain-bike on a mix of dirt roads and walking tracks	11.6km	AllTrails
101	Down Cox’s Road & up Lockyer’s Road	Similar to Walk 100, but follows the historic Coxs Road	10.3km	AllTrails
102	Berghoffer’s Pass	One of Jim’s favourite walks of this area, Berghofers Pass was the original route through Victoria Pass from 1912 and 1933/4.	5.3km	AllTrails
103	Old Hartley Shale Railway Bed	An unsignposted track that follows a ridge to the bed of an old railway line, which continues to the edge of the cliffs.

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Upper Grose River (Map 15)

	Walk	Description / Notes	Length	Map
104	Mt Hay Road to Lockley Pylon	A very popular bushwalk which “passes through some of the best scenery in the mountains”. You can continue from Lockley Pylon down to the Grose Valley (13km return)	9km	AllTrails
105	Baltzer Lookout	Another bushwalk that has become very popular. An easy firetrail-walk to Baltzer Lookout, and then a steep-ish track down to the spectacular Hanging Rock vantage point.	11km	AllTrails
106	Victoria Falls	A steep walk down to a picturesque waterfall. (You can continue down to the Grose Valley and past Burra Korain to the Blue Gum Forest for a long day-walk or overnight bushwalk.)	4.2km	AllTrails
107	Asgard Head	Some of the tracks were described by Jim as unmarked and obscure; they are now signposted. This bushwalk visits the historic Asgard Mine before reaching a spectacular lookout.	7km	AllTrails
108	Engineers Track	Experienced Walkers Only. This now partly-overgrown historic track, blazed in 1858/59 as part of a survey for a railway route, descends to the Grose River.	6.6km	AllTrails
109	Pierces Pass	An “easy pass into the valley”, Pierces Pass descends about 500m from the Bells Line of Road to the Grose River (you can continue to the Blue Gum Forest to make this a full-day walk).	5.1km	AllTrails
110	Mount Banks	As well as the “out and back” bushwalking track described by Jim, you can combine this with the Mount Banks One Trail to form the longer 12.8km Mount Banks Loop.	2.6km	AllTrails

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Mount Wilson (Map 16)

	Walk	Description / Notes	Length	Map
111	Circular Walk	The Mt Wilson Waterfall Walk as it’s now called is a short loop walk through the rainforest that visits two waterfalls.	1.3km	AllTrails
112	Davies Lane Rainforest	There’s now a network of trails through the Merry Garth Garden and surrounding rainforest – and a small entry fee!	0.5km	AllTrails
113	Cathedral of Ferns	A very short loop through rainforest and past a giant tree.	0.2km
114	Happy Valley	Experienced Walkers Only. This “old, forgotten overgrown track” has been restored, and while very steep it’s now a fairly easy walk to a beautiful pool and waterfall.	4.2km	AllTrails
115	Du Faurs Rocks – Chinaman’s Hat -Pheasant’s Cave – Du Faurs Rocks	Another “somewhat neglected track” which is now signposted; it can be done as two separate walks or a loop	1.8km	AllTrails
116	Mt Wilson – Wollangambe River – Mt Wilson	A steep track from the Mt Wilson Fire Station down to the Wollangambe River; it’s used to access the Wollangambe Canyon (Upper Section) lilo trip.	6km	AllTrails

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The Good, Bad and the Ugly – what’s changed since How to See the Blue Mountains was published?

While Jim Smith expressed some concern about housing developments encroaching on trails, such as along the Henry Lawson Walk, the threat doesn’t appear to have materialised. The biggest impact has been on the Shipley Plateau, where almost all the bushwalks were on private property, and access is no longer permitted. Extreme weather and natural erosion in the form of landslides have had the most significant impact in closing trails; conversely some of the tracks described by Jim as overgrown or neglected are now signposted and in much better condition.

The Good

Surprisingly, many trails are now in much better shape than Jim described in the 1980s – both through increased usage and improved signage:

• The “rather faint trails” aroun the Kings Tableland cliffs have become the signposted Little Switzerland Track
• Darwins Walk – after a $4.6m investment to restore the trail after multiple flooding events – is now a high-quality, formed track
• The Prince Henry Cliff Walk has been transformed into the Grand Cliff Top Walk, a “two-day, one-night experience over 19kms”

There’s also been significant investments in sewerage treatment; at the time of Jim Smith’s first edition of “How to See the Blue Mountains” being published, the Blue Mountains had an inadequate sewerage system. There were 12 overloaded and antiquated sewage treatment plants (including the Sewerage Treatment Works below Leura Falls) discharging poorly treated effluent directly into mountain creeks.

• Part of Walk 45 (Kedumba Pass – Leura Sewerage Treatment Works) would have been rather unpleasant
• Jim warned readers not to visit Fairy Dell unless they have “a strong stomach” with the stream “a disgusting, slimy, spectacle” from leaking sewer lines. There’s no evidence of this any more.

The Bad

I suspect that when Jim Smith went for a bushwalk, he didn’t need to diligently check multiple Web sites for track closures; the popularity of many tracks (necessitating track upgrades and maintenance) and decreased risk tolerance means that there is always a long list of bushwalks that are temporarily closed. Checking the NPWS and/or Blue Mountains Council web sites for the latest Alerts now forms an essential part of preparing for any Blue Mountains bushwalk.

The Ugly

A number of bushwalking trails have been closed by landslides or the risk of rockfalls, and most of them are likely to never re-open:

• Lady See’s Lookout has been decommissioned and blocked off; it’s one of many lookouts along the Overcliff Track
• The spectactular National Pass was closed after a tragic incident in 2017 when a NPWS contractor was killed in a rockfall; it’s unlikely to re-open due to ongoing risks
• The nearby Wentworth Pass was closed in April 2022 after a freak landslide on a wet day killed two members of a British family and critically injured two others. (This closure also impacted the Slacks Stairs.)
• Govetts Leap Track and part of the Rodriguez Pass have been closed due to the risk of rockfall.

The Shipley Plateau area has been most affected by access restrictions; five bushwalks which were on private land are no longer accessible (and one “hopelessly overgrown” track no longer exists).