UNDERCLIFF – OVERCLIFF TRACKS
HIGH VIEWS
UNDERCLIFF - OVERCLIFF TRACKS
Grade 3
Time: 1-2 hours
Distance: 3.5 km loop
Ascent: 200 m - CHECK
Map: 8930-1S Katoomba
Start: Wentworth Falls Picnic Area: Sir H Burrell Dr, Wentworth Falls
A good introduction to the Jamison Valley and the Blue Mountains walking tracks.
SOME BACKGROUND
The Undercliff and Overcliff tracks link Fletchers Lookout to the Valley of the Waters track. This is the high route following a ledge below the cliff (Undercliff Track) and above (Overcliff Track).
The track used to be a muddy morass – still is – however National Parks have made an excellent job in keeping our feet mostly dry with the judicious use of sandstone blocks and drainage channels!
Fletchers Lookout is accessed from the Wentworth Falls Track, whether coming from the Picnic Area or from the Falls.
Note: The Undercliff Track can also be accessed from the Princes Rock track. However you will be missing the nicest part of the Undercliff Track.
PICNIC AREA AND LOOKOUTS
From the Picnic Area, walk along Sir H Burrell Dr taking in the views at Jamison and Wentworth Falls lookouts.
JAMISON LOOKOUT
The lookout offers views over Kings Tableland, the Jamison Valley and Mount Solitary.
Wentworth Falls Lookout
A misnomer as there are no views of the Falls except for the ledge.
Wentworth Falls TRACK
Take the Wentworth Falls Track on the right past Wentworth Falls Lookout. Follow the track to Fletchers Lookout.
FLETCHERS LOOKOUT
Fletchers Lookout overlooks the top of the Falls and offers views of Prince Regent’s Glen, the higher reaches of the Jamison Valley.
The lookout is named after David Fletcher (1825-1890) who was one of the trustees of the Reserve.
Return to the intersection of the Undercliff and Wentworth Falls tracks.
THE UNDERCLIFF TRACK
Peter Mulheran noticed that there was a ledge below Princes Rock running from Fletchers Lookout to the Den Fenella gully. Soon a track likened to a “Gallery” was built by Mulheran with side tracks to two lookouts offering the best views of the Falls and of the Valley. This was in the late 1880’s.
The Undercliff track follows a ledge in the cliff (like National Pass): overhangs, views, creeks await you. The ledge is mostly wide. Narrower sections are fenced or were walled by Mulheran.
MULHERAN FOUNTAIN
One of the three fountains made by Peter Mulheran is found here.
EAGLES NEST LOOKOUT
According to the early tourists of the area more than a century ago, Eagle’s Nest Lookout offers the “Best View of the Falls”.
VALLEY VIEW LOOKOUT
Further along is the “Best View of the Valley” according to those early tourists!
PRINCES ROCK TRACK INTERSECTION
Ignore the intersection with Princes Rock Track on the right. This is where you access the Undercliff Track from the Princes Rock Track.
The Undercliff Track turns north and enters the Den Fenella Gully where it finishes at the bridge with a four-way intersection: the Undercliff Track, the Overcliff Track and the Den Fenella Track.
If you have enough, follow the Den Fenella Track uphill back to the Picnic area.
OPTION: SIDE TRIP TO DEN FENELLA GULLY
The Den Fenella Track follows Den Fenella Creek to the edge of the cliff. This a small delightful canyon.
LADY FENELLA
Lady Fenella was a Scottish noblewoman who lived in the late 10th Century. Her son was killed by King Kenneth II. She sought revenge by constructing an elaborate trap in a cottage near Fettercairn and lured the King into the cottage. The statue of a boy stood in the main room. When at Lady Fenella’s urging, the King touched the head of the statue, concealed crossbows sent arrows into the King.
Lady Fenella fled to the coast but was cornered by the king’s men at the top of a waterfall overlooking a valley. To avoid capture, she threw herself from the waterfall to her death. The valley is called Den Fenella.
Captain James Murray who lived in this part of Scotland as a young lad, gave its name to the gully.
DEN FENELLA GULLY
The creek tumbles in small waterfalls and cascades on the slippery sandstone to the edge of the cliff.
DEN FENELLA LOOKOUT
An amazing lookout on a ledge of the cliff with a tenacious tree growing there!
Retrace your steps back up to the bridge and take the Overcliff Track.
THE OVERCLIFF TRACK
The Overcliff Track follows the cliff top towards the Valley of the Waters. The track climbs up along large rocks amid the forest. Pass the closed Lady Sees Lookout until you arrive to Breakfast Point Lookout.
BREAKFAST POINT LOOKOUT
The lookout showcases another example of the stone walls or parapets built by Peter Mulheran. The lookout was suggested as a good place to have breakfast. It offers extensive views of the Jamison and Kedumba Valleys between the Kedumba Walls and Mount Solitary.
LYREBIRD LOOKOUT
This lookout on top of the cliff is named after Lyre Birds Dell Glen. It offers views on the Valley of the Waters gap and Mount Solitary as well as the sounds of the waterfalls and cascades.
Continue along the track through swamps while admiring the views.
OVERCLIFF TRACK SPLIT
The track splits into two branches. The lower left branch ends at the the Valley of Waters track near Queen Victoria Lookout, whereas the upper right branch terminates 160 m down from the Conservation Hut (there is less to climb!). Depending on your stamina, take either track!
INTERSECTION WITH THE VALLEY OF WATERS TRACK
Once on the Valley of Waters track, walk uphill – is there any other way? – towards the Conservation Hut. The shortcut track is 30 m below the Conservation Hut.
OPTION: SIDE TRIP TO THE CONSERVATION HUT
The Conservation Hut café is the perfect place to start and end a day of hiking. It has extensive views onto the Jamison and Kedumba Valleys.
A “refreshment pavilion” opened in December 1904 at the top of the Valley of the Waters. A building was subsequently erected in 1930 then fell into desuetude. Renovated by the members of the Katoomba and District Fauna and Flora Protection Society (now known as the Blue Mountains Conservation Society), the Conservation Hut, was officially opened by the Minister for Conservation on 28 July 1963. The building was demolished in 1990 and rebuilt in its present location. It was officially opened in 1993 and has been providing sustenance to walkers, locals and tourists alike.
Note: The Conservation Hut is currently closed.
SHORTCUT TRACK
This no-thrill track links the Picnic Area with the Conservation Hut. Although not a scenic track, you might still be surprised by what you can find if you pay attention!
The Shortcut Track ends on the western side of the Picnic Area.
INFORMATION
OTHER STARTING POINT
Conservation Hut: 92 Fletcher St, Wentworth Falls.
Start with the Overcliff Track accessible 300 m down from the start of the Valley of the Waters.
Clockwise: Undercliff Track followed by the Overcliff Track; return via Shortcut Track
You will go in general uphill although the difference of elevation is not great (as far as Blue Mountains tracks go!).
Anticlockwise: Overcliff Track followed by the Undercliff Track; return via Shortcut Track
You will go in general downhill.
There are no major differences between these two options. Where you can find parking will probably dictate which track you starts with!
BEST TIME TO GO
Anytime! However the Valley of the Waters is popular and busy during weekends and holidays.
Expect people (especially large groups) going slowly up and down the track.
GETTING THERE
EXTRA SAFETY NOTES
Drinking Water: drinking fountains at the Conservation Hut and the Wentworth Falls Picnic Area.
Toilets: located near the Conservation Hut and in the Wentworth Falls Picnic Area.
The Overcliff and Undercliff Tracks go through wet sections and can be muddy in place.
