Kevtoberfest #10 Blue Mountains Part One
There are many ways to enjoy the splendid scenery of the Blue Mountains. From lookouts like Echo Point, perched on the edge of the escarpment, views of the sheer sandstone cliffs and forest-filled valleys are magnificent.
More than 400 kilometres of walking tracks allow visitors to explore both on top of the mountains and down below.
For those less keen on hiking, there are options to soar above the valleys in Australia’s highest or largest cable cars, wander through the forest canopy on the longest elevated boardwalk in the country or ride on the steepest passenger train in the world. When it comes to seeing the Blue Mountains, it’s possible to take advantage of all these choices in a single day.
Our day long exploration begins at Katoomba Falls, where Kedumba Creek tumbles down waterworn cascades before wending its way to the cliff edge. Here the walking is easy, along a level graded path with wide steps leading to the beginning of Prince Henry Cliff Walk.
Not far from the start we come to the Scenic Skyway East Station. We’re right on time to see the cable car silently gliding over the valley, soaring like a golden bird 270 metres above the forest floor.
After the station, the track becomes narrower and hugs the edge of the cliff, skirting between massive sandstone formations and windswept eucalypts clinging precariously to the steep edges.
There’s not always a fence and we are careful to walk closer to the rock wall, slowing down when other hikers pass by.
There are many lookouts on the track and, although this is listed as a 45 minute walk, we stop so often it’s nearly two hours before Echo Point and the Three Sisters come into view.
Even though we’ve already been to Echo Point we halt once more, lingering to take in the beauty of this place before walking on.
To be continued…
Join Jo for more Monday Walks
The magnificense of the scenery is staggering, isn’t it? And you’ve captured it brilliantly. I remember ‘walking’ some of this with Jude. 🙂 🙂 Thanks a lot, Carol. Looking forward to the next episode.
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Oh Jo, it is so beautiful.
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Now that’s a hike!!! Thanks for sharing!
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More to come in the next post, Janet. This was an all day outing.
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What gorgeous scenery and a fabulous walk. Some of the walk looked pretty scary without the fences. It’s great there are so many options for exploration!
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It’s not nearly as scary as the photos look. It just needs some common sense. I don’t go close to edges like this!
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Neither would I, Carol. I’m always amazed at people who stand on the edge of cliffs with no fear whatsoever. I get vertigo!
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Beautiful. Great scenery. Love the well maintained trails with areas to stop and enjoy the experience. Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks Ducks! The tracks are all in excellent condition, which makes the walk much more enjoyable. Stay tuned for the next instalment.
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As Jo commented I have done some of this walk in reverse, but stopped before tackling the steeper steps along the route. And yes, those unfenced parts look rather hairy! But it is a gorgeous place and I hope to return one day and maybe walk below.
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If you go down on the scenic railway you can walk all through the valley, in the opposite direction to the way we went. It is so beautiful down there, and we even saw a lyrebird. I hope you are able to go again one day, Jude.
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Well my eldest son is moving back to Sydney so chances are I will be back.
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So the Brisbane job didn’t come off then. Sydney is good too. 🙂
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I would have preferred Brisbane, and I think he would too, as Sydney is such an expensive place to live in. Plus I have been there several times and was looking forward to a new region! Oh, well!
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So, you’ll just have to come and visit. 🙂
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True!
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I can only hope one day, life will afford me for travels with scenery such as this. Until then I will continue to enjoy your blog! The world is such a wonder….wonderful for all of us!
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I’m glad I can share it with you in the meantime. There is so much we still have to see too.
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It’s such a huge place – your first and last photos in particular emphasise that. I was glad of the bench to be able to rest and take in the view. 🙂
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It is massive. I read that it is five times older than the Grand Canyon. That is an incredible thought. There were many benches with amazing views and I took photos of them all, with Jude in mind.
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Five times older – that IS an incredible thought! I still find it hard to pass by a bench without thinking I should be taking a photo of it for Jude. 🙂
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And I still do take bench photos, in case Jude ever decides to do another challenge. 🙂
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Good plan – or if she doesn’t, you could. 🙂
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wow, stunning. I would not have been able to do that trail though – fear of falling makes me very nervous of narrow paths without a fence!
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It’s not nearly as dangerous as it looks in the photos. It’s just a matter of being sensible. You might enjoy the next part more, Becky. 🙂
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Look forward to that 😊
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Such a wonderful part of NSW. I haven’t been to the Blue Mountains in years…the falls area looks magical Carol. 🙂
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Mr ET had never been before, but it was my fourth time. I never tire of the view though. Aren’t the cascades pretty.
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Sure are. 😊
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Wow, that’s gorgeous, Carol. Two hours would make it less grueling in some ways, but it’s a long hike. How long to come back down, or was that round trip?
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It’s not a difficult walk though. pretty much level with some steps. We didn’t return that way, because we kept going after Echo Point. More to come in the next post.
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I look forward to it. 😀😀😀
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What a wonderful place to be with some pretty dramatic vistas. The only part that freaks me out a bit is the part where you write about the path “hugging the edge of the cliff”. I am not so much scared of heights as it is a fear of sheer drops! Your photos are absolutely lovely.
Peta
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Thanks! The escarpment doesn’t completely drop away from the edge of the path but you wouldn’t want to tumble over all the same. It would be hard to stop rolling once you started.
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Sometimes traveling the world I forget how much beauty is in my own backyard.
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Yes, it’s good to be reminded every now and then. We like to mix up our travel – some overseas and some here in Australia.
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Glorious!
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It really is, Anabel. The views are endless.
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Looks like a lovely place to walk, and some gorgeous pics.
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It is spectacular, Chris.
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Blue Mountains – sound lovely! Wonderful post and beautiful photos. To me it is interesting to see landscapes abroad. Thank You.
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I’m glad you enjoyed this post, Matti. This landscape is so different from the ones you show.
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Now, that is quite a walk. I loved it all except where you passed someone and there was no railing. 🙂 In the White Mountains, there is a cable car and train option to climb the mountains, but I haven’t done either in a couple of years. Makes me think maybe I need to do it again. 🙂
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I love cable cars and this train has to be seen to be believed – coming up in a future post!
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Beautiful photos. You make me long to go back, it’s been so long.
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It’s one of those places you could visit again and again.
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Indeed.
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Great photos and fabulous scenery 🙂 Is that triangular fenced off bit a lookout point? It reminds me of one on top of Table Mountain in Cape Town, when you stand right in the corner of it there’s a great view of the city but absolutely nothing between you and the bottom of the mountain!
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Yes, that’s one of many lookouts on the way. There are so many fantastic vantage points. . There’s nothing quite like an amazing view.
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I’m not much of a hiker but I did enjoy the scenic railway!
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Yes, it’s pretty amazing. Coming up in a future post.
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That is such a beautiful walk and the scenery is stunning. I must get back again one day.
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It’s one place you visit again and again. There’s so much to do.
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Wow. I went to The Blue Mountains many many moons ago but I didn’t do this walk. I think it’s worth the sweat for those views!
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Maybe it’s time you bought the family to Australia for a holiday, Ting. 🙂 This part of the walk wasn’t difficult at all. It was mostly level.
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Wow, this post brought back many memories. I haven’t been to the Blue Mountains since the ’90s. Having lived in Windsor, my parents’ house had a view of this stunning mountain range from their back yard.
Great photos!
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What a view that would be!
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Marvellous! I’ve done this very walk a number of times, you’ve captured it perfectly. I love walking the Blue Mountain trails around Katoomba.
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We would love to go back and do some more walking. There are so many to choose from.
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