This Blackheath lookout doesn’t have an official name, and isn’t signposted… so I’ve called it the Horse Track Lookout (I’ve found just one other reference to this viewpoint, where it’s called the Horse Saddle Lookout). A long and flat sandstone outcrop on the edge of the cliff provides spectacular views over Govett Gorge all the way down to the Grose Valley.
To the south is Point Pilcher (Medlow Bath) and the vertical Carne Wall, which is over 220m in height.
To the east is opposite is Fortress Wall, a sheer vertical cliff face below Fortress Hill and Fortress Ridge; the height of the cliff ranges from 100m to 224m.
Beyond Fortress Hill is the Grose Valley, which is bounded by the distinctive Mount Banks on the northern side of the Grose Valley and Docker Head at the north-eastern end of the Blackheath Plateau.
Getting to the Horse Track Lookout
The Horse Track Lookout is fairly easy to get to… it’s just not very obvious! From Evans Lookout, follow the signposted Grand Canyon Track which descends for just under a kilometre before reaching the junction with the Horse Track. Continue along the Horse Track for about 200m as it continues to descend to a saddle. Just before the track starts to descend much more steeply through a gap in the cliffs, look for a faint trail that goes up to the cliff-line.
It’s about 1km in total from Evans Lookout, and worth it for a spectacular view without the crowds – or a very short detour if you’re doing the Grand Canyon loop. Evans Lookout is about 6.2km from the town of Blackheath and 13km (15min) from Katoomba.
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