Wentworth Pass loop walking track - Blue Mountains National Park - NSW

Wentworth Pass loop is a 5 km challenging walk that winds through the Valley of the Waters in Jamison Valley in Blue Mountains National Park. 

This is a grade 4 walk with quite rough and steep sections. This track has so much to offer like the many picturesque waterfalls, the million-dollar views offered from numerous scenic lookouts, the lush rainforest and the historic Grand Stairway. Though my legs were feeling the pain for a few days, the hard work was well worth it.

Upper Wentworth Falls

We started the walk from Wentworth Falls Picnic Area and decided to do the loop clockwise. The Jamison Lookout is just a quick stroll from the picnic area and offers breathtaking views of the Jamison Valley. 

Views across Jamison Valley from Jamison Lookout

The Wentworth Falls Lookout is about 300 meters from the Jamison Lookout. Queen Cascades and the top of the Wentworth Falls can be seen to the left of this spacious lookout. This also provides sweeping views across the valley towards the Mount Solitary. 

Views of top of Wentworth Falls - Wentworth Falls Lookout

We followed the well maintained concrete steps of Wentworth Falls track for about 10 minutes to reach the Fletchers Lookout which rewarded us with fairly close views of the top of the Wentworth Falls.

Views of Wentworth Falls from Fletchers Lookout

A little further on, the Jamison creek falls in a two-tiered cascade to form the lovely Queen Cascades. The water falls into a sandy pool before flowing between the stepping stones down the Wentworth Falls.

Queen Cascades

Top of the Wentworth Falls

Soon after the Queen Cascades, the National Pass track begins.

Start of the National Pass Track

We walked passing some sandstone ledges before reaching the top of the Grand Stairway which is a magnificent section of the National Pass. Grand Stairway, hand-carved to the side of the cliff in early 1900 using picks, shovels and dynamite, descends steeply from the top of the waterfall to the base. I wonder how much of hard work that has gone in to create this marvel almost 100 years ago. It truly deserves its name and considered to be the tallest outdoor stairway in Australia.

Views of Wentworth Falls from Grand Stairway

Appreciating the Grandeur of Jamison Valley from the Grand Stairway

More steps to descend before reaching the base of the Upper Wentworth Falls.

Views of the Upper Falls from the base was spectacular. The impressive height of falls made the water turn to almost mist before hitting the pool below.

The Wentworth Falls is a three-tiered waterfall. We continued on the track a little further and just as we crossed the Jamison Creek on a narrow concrete bridge, we had a good view of first 2 drops of the waterfall.

We continued through the Eucalyptus forest and fern undergrowth before passing another sandstone ledge which made us hunch to avoid hitting our heads.

Soon we came to a signposted intersection. National Pass was closed from there to the Valley of the Waters. The very steep Slack Stairs connects National Pass to the Wentworth Pass.

Just before we reached the Slack Stairs, we enjoyed a good view of all three drops of the Wentworth Falls.

All three tiers of the Wentworth Falls

More Steps before Slack Stairs

Yet More Steps

The Slack Stairs are very narrow and steep and almost can be called a ladder. Just like a ladder, you have to descend backwards.

Descending the Slack Stairs

There were more steps to descend before reaching some interesting sections on the Wentworth Pass.

I have a habit of falling in not so challenging sections and yet again I slipped and fell backwards. Luckily there wasn't much damage, just an annoyed husband.

Soon we reached the base of the lower falls. The scenic spot with many rock boulders provided an ideal spot to take a break and a snack. Lower falls creates a nice swim hole and there were some enjoying a dip.

The Lower Wentworth Falls

Having a Cuppa

A kid enjoying the Swim Hole

The Wentworth Pass takes a sharp bend to the right after the lower falls. The crowd thinned after the base of the upper falls and then even reduced further after the lower falls. As it may seem, not many complete the entire loop.

The track soon became quite rough and had to navigate many rocks and boulders.

Crossing the Den Fenella Creek

The Wentworth Pass continued through the forest and kept on to be rough and challenging. About 40 mins of walk from the lower Wentworth Falls brought us to the intersection with the Valley of the Waters track. Once you are in the Valley of the Waters, you would realize why it is given that name. There are many waterfalls densely packed close to each other. The main waterfalls are Empress Falls, Sylvia Falls and Lodore Falls. Then there is Red Rock Falls, Brittania Falls, Flat Rock Falls and Isobel Falls. The waterfalls are not signposted and I could not find many references to the smaller falls on the internet. So based on the maps, I am guessing which is which. So please don't quote me on those :).

Red Rock Falls

Brittania Falls?

Flat Rock Falls

Lodore Falls

Lodore Falls

Sylvia Falls

Empress Falls is a popular abseiling spot. Abseiling straight down the 30m waterfall would give an awesome experience and a fantastic photo opportunity.

Empress Falls

Group of abseilers finishing the day with a jump to the Rock Pool

Isobel Falls?

After we left the awesome Valley of the Waters behind, we were greeted with some more spectacular lookouts like Empress Lookout and Queen Victoria Lookout.

 

Empress Lookout

Queen Victoria Lookout

I enjoy the vivid colours of the wildflowers and the Blue Mountains in Spring is sure not to disappoint you.

Vivid Colours of Wild Flowers

I was exhausted by the time we reached the Conservation Hut. It was time for a refreshing coffee. Conservation Hut, initially used as a meeting place for the conservation movement now runs as a small cafe. 

Twenty minutes walk through the Short Cut track took us to the Wentworth Falls Picnic Area. The entire walk took us around four and a half hours including plenty of breaks. My legs were sore but my heart was content. Though this is a hard track,  given enough time, many should be able to conquer this track. If your fitness levels allow, this one is a must-do.

The highlights of the day are captured in the below video.

Below is the track we followed.