Dante’s Glen
ONCE SEEN, NEVER FORGOTTEN
DANTE'S GLEN
GRADE 3
Time: 2 hours
Distance: 6 km - loop
Ascent: 280 m
Map: 8930-1S Katoomba
Start: North Lawson Park, End of St Bernard's Drive
One of the best known beauty spots in the Mountains: a secluded glen with ferns, mossy rocks, a creek and several waterfalls.
This area was not developed until 1879. José Guillermo Hay bought large tracts of land at that time in North and South Lawson. Joseph Hay was one of the first Trustees of Lawson’s Reserves and was responsible for developing the reserves to the North and South of the railway line.
DANTE'S GLEN - DANTE'S GLEN FALLS
The walk starts at North Lawson Park. Head North to the Dante’s Glen track. Ignore the track to the right (this is your return track). The track descend steeply to Dante’s Glen and Dante’s Glen waterfall.
DANTE's Glen
The area may have been named by Dr Charles Badham (1813-1884) who had a house nearby. A Professor of Classics at the University of Sydney, he gave lectures and wrote about Dante. Maybe the area reminded Dr Badham of the dark woods in which Dante finds himself in the “Inferno”.
Continue downhill to Dante’s Glen Falls .
DANTE'S GLEN FALLS
Dantes Glen Falls were originally named Christabel Falls by Joseph Hay (the name appears in brochures in 1879). Christabel Lucy Hay (1874-1888) was the daughter of Joseph and Eliza Hay.
The big log appeared some time in 2020 and is there to stay!
The lovely little bridge has disappeared. I used to sit there, legs dangling, and enjoy the view…
Cross the creek below the falls (if you have not done so already) and walk along the creek in the rainforest. After about 80 m, cross the creek over the rocks.as indicated by the sign Countless of walkers over the years have continued straight and realising their mistakes, turned back: as a result, the wrong track is well-formed!
St Michael’s Falls are not far away on a side track.
ST MICHAEL'S FALLS
The falls were probably also named by Joseph Hay after St Michael, the Archangel; possibly another reference to Dante’s Divine Comedy!
Just sit there and enjoy the sounds of the falling water and the wind through the ferns.
Return to the main track and continue along the creek. A little bit further on the right is the shortcut trail to Fairy Falls.
An old weathered sign soon welcomes you to the Blue Mountains National Park: this is the Empire Pass walking trail. Built around 1910, it was opened on Empire Day on 14 May 1913 and was originally named the New Empire Pass walking trail.
The Empire Pass track follows Dante’s Glen creek, sometimes close to the creek and sometimes high up. The track crosses the creek and follows the other bank. Just enjoy!
The track eventually descends to another creek crossing at the junction with a side creek. I like to sit on a mossy rock platform overlooking the creek and daydream…
Say goodbye to Dante’s Glen creek and hello to Frederica Falls creek. The track follows this side creek upstream to Frederica Falls, which are about 1 km away.
FREDERICA FALLS
Frederica Falls are named after Frederica Roberts (1882-1935), whose father owned the land on which the falls are.
These falls are in the sun but quite enjoyable.
The track leads up to the North Lawson Fire Trail. Turn right and follow the fire trail for about one km. Take the small track on the right towards Echo Bluff.
ECHO BLUFF
TBA
Retrace your steps to the main track and continue walking for about one km through a dry sclerophyll forest with large rocks peppered about. Soon the sound of Fairy Falls beckons.
FAIRY FALLS
The name Fairy Falls appears in 1896. The upper fall was known as Cecilia Falls and the lower falls as Sebastian Falls. There is also a reference in a newspaper to a small fall named Agnes Falls.
Continue to the intersection with the Dante’s Glen track. Turn left and walk back to North Lawson Park.
Updated December 2024.
WILSON PARK
LAWSON SWIMMING POOL: A PERFECT PARADISE
The Lawson Pool was opened in November 1931. It was originally the location of the railway dam where “even in its degenerated state, the baths have been the delight of the young and some of the old as well” (The Blue Mountains Star, 22 Nov 1930).
Nestled in the bush, the Lawson Pool continues to delight!
MAP OF AUSTRALIA
TBA.
INFORMATION
BEST TIME TO GO
Anytime!
GETTING THERE
Directions to Wilson Park by car or public transport – TBA.
SAFETY NOTES
Drinking Water: TBA
Toilets: located near the playground and the swimming pool.
Mobile Reception: can be patchy as you descend into the gully! Consider carrying a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB).
What should I pack for the day? Check this page for further information.
