Wentworth Pass
FOR STAIRS LOVERS...
WENTWORTH PASS
GRADE 4
Time: 3-4 hours
Distance: 5.6 km - loop
Total Ascent: 400 m
Map: 8930-1S Katoomba
Start: Conservation Hut - 92 Fletcher St, Wentworth Falls or
Wentworth Falls Picnic Area: Sir H Burrell Dr.
Opened in 1897, Wentworth Pass follows the base of the cliff line through lush forests from the Valley of the Waters to the bottom of Wentworth Falls and up the famed Slack Stairs and the Grand Stairway.
Another achievement of Peter Mulheran, the trackmaker! The pass originally linked the Valley of the Waters to the bottom of Wentworth Falls. Until the construction of the Slack Stairs around 1932, hikers had to retrace their steps back to the Valley of the Waters. The pass is named after the township of Wentworth Falls.
ACCESSING WENTWORTH PASS
Wentworth Pass is accessed by walking either through the Valley of the Waters (Conservation Hut start – counterclockwise circuit) or National Pass (Picnic Area start – clockwise circuit).
Clockwise: down the Grand Stairway and up the Valley of the Waters.
Enjoy the climb back up in the shade of the Valley of the Waters but you will climb down the steep Slack Stairs ladders.
Anticlockwise: down the Valley of the Waters and up the Grand Stairway.
Climb the Slack Stairs ladders rather than descending them. On hot days, the climb up the Grand Stairway in the afternoon is hot as the sun heats the cliff faces.
My preference is starting at the Conservation Hut: I prefer climbing the ladders!
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.
VALLEY OF THE WATERS
Take the steps down between the platform and the café: many steps await you in this walk!
The track below the Hut on the left is the Shortcut Track: this is your return track. Continue down along the Valley of the Waters track to the intersection with Wentworth Pass.
A Full Description of the Valley of the Waters walk can be found here!
WENTWORTH PASS
The Wentworth Pass track starts below Red Rock Falls and crosses the Valley of the Waters creek (crossing #5).
The track winds through the forest at the base of the forested talus slope. The vegetation opens up from time ti time to give views of neighbouring cliffs such as Cathedral Point and Inspiration Point in Leura. Mostly there are no views from Wentworth Pass.
Wentworth Pass crosses several small creeks, the biggest one being Den Fenella Creek. This is the creek featured in the Den Fenella track.
The track continues up and down through the forest until the intersection with the Vera and Hippocrene Falls track near the Jamison Creek.
JAMISON CREEK - LOWER FALLS
The track follows the delightful Jamison Creek with its small waterfalls and cascades.
Leave the main track to reach the lower falls of Wentworth Falls. This is a nice spot to relax before the long big climb.
Return to the main track and follow the track down to the start of the stairs: the beginning of the long climb back to the top!
SLACKS STAIRS
The stairs were constructed around 1932 to access the top of the Wentworth Falls and link Wentworth Pass with National Pass. The stairs are named after Isaac Platt Slack, a Parramatta Real Estate Agent, resident of Wentworth Falls and Chairman of the Wentworth Falls Group of the Blue Mountains Sights Reserve Trust who pushed for the construction of the stairs.
The eight original wooden staircases were damaged during the 1957 bushfire. In 1988 they were replaced with modern steel ladders, some of which are caged.
After some 270 steps, a reward awaits at the top of the Slack Stairs: a view of both sections of Wentworth Falls.
THE IDENTITY CRISIS OF WENTWORTH FALLS
Prior to 1879, Wentworth Falls was known under numerous names: Campbell Cataract (1815-1830), Catataract of Bougainville (around 1826), Bougainville Falls (around 1826), Apsley Waterfall (late 1820’s- 1830’s), Weatherboard Falls (1830-1880), the Cataract (1905) and finally Wentworth Falls (1879 till now). Source: Blue Mountains Historical Society.
NATIONAL PASS
Wentworth Pass joins National Pass at the top of the Slack Stairs. Continue along the ledge to the bottom of the Upper Falls.
Note: National Pass is closed between the top of the Slacks Stairs and the Valley of the Waters.
WENTWORTH FALLS - UPPER FALLS
Spend some time at the bottom of the Upper Falls. The remnant of a bridge are still visible.
Cross the creek if you have not done so. Part deux of the climb awaits: the Grand Stairway!
GRAND STAIRWAY
The Grand Stairway was built using picks, shovels and dynamite: you can see the pick marks on the stone. The steps are carved out of the sandstone cliff!
DID YOU KNOW?
The National Pass was built over two years at a cost of about £430 (about $68,000 adjusted for inflation)
WENTWORTH FALLS TRACK INTERSECTION
National Pass ends at the intersection with the Rocket Point Lookout track and becomes the Wentworth Falls track.
ROCKET POINT CREEK FALLS
A side creek joins the Jamison Creek at this location. A small waterfall can be seen on the right.
TOP OF THE FALLS
“This kind of view was to me quite novel, and extremely magnificent” – Charles Darwin (1836)
Nothing more to add!
QUEENS CASCADES
Also called the Golden Sands, these are the cascades above the ledge.
Continue along the trail to the intersection with Weeping Rock Circuit trail.
OPTION: SIDE TRIP TO WEEPING ROCK
Weeping Rock is 100 m from Wentworth Falls track. Turn right onto Weeping Rock Circuit. The loop will deliver you back on the Wentworth Falls Track and back to to the Picnic Area.
FLETCHER LOOKOUT AND UNDERCLIFF/OVERCLIFF TRACK
Turn left at the intersection with Wentworth Falls Track if you want to go to Fletchers Lookout and/or the Undercliff Track.
OPTION: SIDE TRIP TO FLETCHERS LOOKOUT
This lookout offers views of the top of the falls and the Jamison Valley.
David Fletcher (1825-1890) was one of the trustees of the Reserve.
OPTION BACK TO THE CONSERVATION HUT: UNDERCLIFF/OVERCLIFF TRACKS
If you still have some energy to spend and are not too excited by the Shortcut Trail, return to the Conservation Hut via the Undercliff/Overcliff track.
PICNIC AREA AND LOOKOUTS
From Fletchers Lookout continue along Wentworth Falls track back to the Picnic Area where two lookouts await.
Wentworth Falls Lookout
A misnomer as there are no views of the Falls except for the ledge.
JAMISON LOOKOUT
The lookout offers views over Kings Tableland, the Jamison Valley and Mount Solitary.
Continue to Sir Burrell Drive ignoring the Den Fenella Track on the left. Walk to the northern end of the parking area: the Shortcut Track starts there!
SHORTCUT TRACK
This no-thrill track links the Picnic Area with the Conservation Hut. Although not a scenic track, you might still be surprised.
The track starts on the western side of the Picnic Area. Follow it in a westerly direction.
If you still have some energy, you can visit the Breakfast Point Lookout and/or Lyrebird Lookout and continue onto the Overcliff Track back to the Conservation Hut.
INFORMATION
BEST TIME TO GO
Anytime! However the area is popular and busy during weekends and holidays.
Expect people (especially large groups) going slowly up and down the Valley of the Waters track and the Grand Stairway.
GETTING THERE
EXTRA SAFETY NOTES
Creek Crossings: this walk has over seven creek crossings. Do not cross when creeks are in flood! Water levels rise suddenly after a thunderstorm (a good reason to check the weather): people have been stranded on this track after thunderstorms. You may have to wait for the water levels to subside!
Mobile Reception: can be patchy but there is none in the Jamison Valley! Carry a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB).
PLB/Satellite Messenger: not many people walk this track and there is no mobile reception in the valley. For your safety, carry a PLB/satellite messenger!
You can borrow a PLB free of charge from the Springwood or Katoomba Police Stations or the Blue Mountains Heritage Centre in Blackheath.
GPS: the signal is affected by the cliffs and the canyon-like topography. Do not rely on GPS navigation! Take a map (and a compass} and know how to use them!
What should I pack for the day? Check this page for further information.
