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 on 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. He was a Professor of Classics at the University of Sydney, who among other things 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 1979). Christabel Lucy Hay (1874-1888) was the daughter of Joseph and Eliza Hay.

Dantes Glen Falls

"Christabel Fall, Dante's Glen, Lawson, N.S.W., No. 1" by Henry King - 1880-1900 (Tyrrell Collection - Powerhouse Collection)

"Christabel Fall, Dante's Glen, Lawson, N.S.W., No. 3" by Henry King - 1880-1900 (Tyrrell Collection - Powerhouse Collection)

Dantes Glen Falls

"Dantes Glen, Lawson" by Kerry and Co, 1884-1917 (Tyrrell Collection - Powerhouse Collection)

"Dantes Glen, Lawson" by Kerry and Co - 1884-1917 (Tyrrell Collection - Powerhouse Collection)

Postcard of Dante's Glen, Lawson, 1905-1907 (Tyrrell Collection - Powerhouse Collection)

Cross the creek on the bridge and walk along the creek. After about 80 m, cross the creek again: St Michael’s Falls are not far away on a side track.

ST MICHAEL'S FALLS

The falls were probably named by Joseph Hay after St Michael, the Archangel; possibly another reference to Dante’s Divine Comedy!

St Michael's Falls

Return to the main track and continue along the creek. The track enters the Blue Mountains National Park: the Empire Pass walking trail. A little bit further on the right is the shortcut trail to Fairy Falls.

The Empire Pass Walking Trail was built around 1910 and was opened on Empire Day on 14 May 1913. It was called the New Empire Pass.

The track veers right and follow a side creek to Frederica Falls.

FREDERICA FALLS

Frederica Falls are named after Frederica Roberts (1882-1935), whose father owned the land on which the falls are.

Frederica Falls

"Fredicka Fall, Dante's Glen, N.S.W., No. 4" by Henry King, 1880-1900 (Tyrrell Collection - Powerhouse Collection)

"Frederica Falls, Lawson", by Harry Phillips, 1910, hand coloured by Isabel Phillips (Blue Mountains Library - Local Studies)

The track goes up and ends on 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.Walk for about one km through a dry forest with large rocks peppered about. Soon the sound of Fairy Falls beckons.

FAIRY FALLS

Today Fairy Falls refer to two falls: the track passes between the upper and lower falls. The name Fairy Falls appear 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.

Fairy Falls

"Fairy Falls, Dante's Glen, Lawson", 1803-1920 (Tyrrell Collection - Powerhouse Collection)

"Fairy Falls" circa 1875 (Blue Mountains Library - Local Studies)

Mossy Bench

Unnamed Waterfall

Continue to the intersection with the Dante’s Glen track. Turn left and walk back to North Lawson Park.

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!

FEATURE

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.