Golden Staircase to Mt Solitary via Ruined Castle
Download & Print Map and Notes
8 hrs 45 mins
11.7 km Return
1048 m
Experienced only
(0km) Golden Stairs Track carpark → Bottings Lookout
210 m
8 mins
9m
-80m
Moderate track
From the Golden Stairs car park and information sign on Glenraphael Dr[1], the walk follows the ‘Golden Stairs / To Federal Pass’ sign[2] along the narrow track. The track leads gently downhill[3] past the black and yellow ‘Warning – Sections of the Golden Stairs are unfenced and can be slippery when wet’ sign[4], with the occasional glimpse out to Malaita Point and towards the Three Sisters[5][6]. The walk soon heads down a few steep eroded sections of track[7] and passes through a couple of switchbacks. The track then leads to a fenced rock platform[8] signposted as ‘Botting’s L.O.’[9].
Botting’s Lookout
Botting’s Lookout[10] offers great views over the Jamison Valley and the cliff line, including the Landslide, Malaita Point and the Golden Stairs. A plaque at the lookout states that the lookout was named after Walter Botting (1887-1985)[11], a pioneer trail-maker of the Katoomba District. More info.
(0.21km) Bottings Lookout → Bottom of Golden Staircase
430 m
19 mins
41m
-177m
Hard track
Turn right: From the lower side of Botting’s Lookout[12], this walk heads downhill along the eroded track[13]. The walk follows the steps through a narrow gully[14] then turns right to flatten out[15] and head under a small overhang between the cliff and fence (passing a ‘Caution Rockfall Hazard’ sign[16]). After about 100m of fence, the track turns right to cross a wide gully[17]. On the other side of the gully, this walk climbs down a series of metal[18] and stone[19] staircases. The walk flattens again before heading down another series of stairs. Finally, the track winds down the wide spur[20] to meet the signposted T-intersection with ‘Federal Pass’[21].
(0.64km) Bottom of Golden Staircase → Miners Campsite
2.3 km
51 mins
104m
-129m
Moderate track
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Federal Pass – Ruined Castle’ sign[22] along the flat wide track, keeping the valley to your left. This track follows the old horse-drawn coal tram route. The track leads through a tall rainforest filled with fern trees[23] and vines[24], with the occasional lyrebird. After about 1.3km the forest opens up[25], letting in more light and exposing some distant filtered views. After wandering through the more open forest[26] for about 250m, the track passes a small campsite[27] (on the right). This walk continues for another 700m along the main track through the bracken fern forest[28] to find a larger campsite[29] (just up to the right) with a short stone wall on one side[30]).
Miners Campsite
This flat campsite beside the Federal Pass walking track about 2.2km south of the intersection at the bottom of the Golden Stairs. There is short constructed stone wall[31] left over from when there area was habited by miners. The campsite is surrounded by a tall forest, bracken ferns and some nice fern trees. There is no water or facilities.
(2.9km) Miners Campsite → Northern Ruined Castle campsite
300 m
7 mins
16m
-11m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the miners campsite[32], this walk follows the clear track south-west, keeping the valley to your left. The mostly flat track narrows a bit as it leads past a large flat area (on your right) after about 140m[33], then past a smaller campsite[34] a short distance later. The track then winds through the forest for another 100m to come to a clearing and signposted three-way intersection[35], where there is a ‘Federal Pass – Katoomba’ sign[36] pointing back along the track. (There is a campsite a few metres further on and to the the left[37].)
Northern Ruined Castle campsite
A short distance south east of the intersection[38] with the Federal Pass and the northern access track to the Ruined Castle, is a fairly large basic campsite. There are two main flat areas for camping, both with fire scares[39]. The area is surround with tall trees and ferns[40][41][42][43]. There is no water nor any other facilities.
(3.2km) Northern Ruined Castle campsite → Intersection South of Ruined Castle
930 m
23 mins
22m
-77m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Mount Solitary’ sign[44] past the campsite (on your left) and past the ‘Warning – Remote area indistinct route steep terrain – Exposed climbing loose surfaces – No reliable water Carry plenty Sterilise any water found on route’ sign[45]. This walk continues along the mostly flat track, passing through a tall turpentine forest[46] for about 450m where you come into view of a campsite[47] (down to your left). The walk continues a short distance further, coming to an intersection[48] where there is a fair amount of coal on the ground[49], a campsite down to your left[50] and the entrance to an old small coal mine[51] (behind a rock) on your right.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follow the main track south-east, initially keeping the campsite and valley to your left. The track initially heads down a short rocky section[52] then flattens out to pass a large square boulder[53] after about 100m. The track continues through ferny forest for just over 200m, then passes another campsite[54] (down a steep hill to your left), and about 30m further on, comes to a signposted intersection where a ‘Katoomba’ arrow[55][56] points back along the track. Now Continue straight to rejoin the main walk .
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follow the main track south-east, initially keeping the campsite and valley to your left. The track initially heads down a short rocky section[52] then flattens out to pass a large square boulder[53] after about 100m. The track continues through ferny forest for just over 200m, then passes another campsite[54] (down a steep hill to your left), and about 30m further on, comes to a signposted intersection where a ‘Katoomba’ arrow[55][56] points back along the track. Now Continue straight to rejoin the main walk .
(3.2km) Northern Ruined Castle campsite → Ruined Castle
730 m
20 mins
82m
-17m
Hard track
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Ruined Castle’[57] sign uphill along the eroded track and soon passes the yellow ‘Warning – Remote area indistinct route steep terrain – Exposed climbing loose surfaces – No reliable water Carry plenty Sterilise any water found on route’ sign[58]. The track winds up the wide valley getting steeper as it goes, climbing up onto the main ridgeline. Here the walk turns left (away from the view of Castle Head[59]) and follows the rocky track more gently uphill for about 220m to pass under the side of a large boulder[60]. The track continues along the narrow ridge for about 280m, with some filtered views past another large boulder to the base of the tall Ruined Castle summit[61]. Here the walk heads gently down a bit (keeping the rock wall to your left), past a crevice[62], then follows the main track to the other (southern) side of the summit. The track then heads up again to find a number of rocky pinnacles[63].
(3.93km) Ruined Castle → Intersection South of Ruined Castle
390 m
12 mins
1m
-123m
Experienced only
Continue straight: From near the summit of Ruined Castle[64], this walk heads south-east along the main ridgeline, initially keeping the rock wall to your left[65]. The track follows the rocky ridgeline gently downhill[66] and after about 70m the track starts to become much steeper[67]. The track winds down, flattening out for a short time[68] before continuing steeply down to a sign posted three-way intersection[69] just beyond the ‘Ruined Castle to Mount Solitary’ map[70]. There is a ‘Ruined Castle’ arrow[71] here, pointing back up the hill.
(4.32km) Intersection South of Ruined Castle → Bottom of Korrowall Knife-edge
1.3 km
35 mins
132m
-38m
Hard track
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Mount Solitary’ sign[72] gently downhill along the fairly narrow track[73], keeping the main valley to your left. After about 300m, the more eroded and rocky track[74] begins to climb the ridge and after climbing for just shy of 300m, the track flattens out and passes a couple of small clearings[75][76] – the second clearing is just past where the track leads downhill. Just after the second clearing (used as a campsite[77]), the track begins to climb up the ridge again[78]. This track climbs up a few rocky eroded section and soon comes to the base of a tall series of rockwalls – the Korrowall Knife-edge[79].
(5.65km) Bottom of Korrowall Knife-edge → Top of Korrowall Knife-edge
200 m
12 mins
86m
-2m
Experienced only
Continue straight: From the base of the rocks[80], this walk starts the arduous climb up the Korrowall Knife-edge. Ascending the Korrowall Knife-edge is a hard climb, vertical in places and much of the climbing will involve both hands – some people use ropes to help lift heavy packs. This walk initially heads around to the left of the first boulder to head up through the eroded steep valley[81] between the rocks. The walk continues to scramble up the side of the rocks[82], then climbs vertically up a crack in the rock[83] to a small flat area[84], offering the first distant view[85] for this climb. The walk continues by climbing up a 3m rock wall[86], then up the eroded track[87] before climbing up through the obvious gap[88] in the next rock wall. At the top of this climb is another great view[89] and a short distance further up, this faint track passes a rock with a hole/cave[90] (on your right). From here, the walk follows the worn track up through a couple more rock gullies[91], still generally keeping the rock wall to your right (and passing a couple of arrows[92]). This brings the walk to an exposed flat area, with red dirt and fantastic views[93]. The walk continues by climbing up through the next eroded gully[94] to the top of the Korrowall Knife-edge, where there is a large rock wall on your left[95].
Maps for the Golden Staircase to Mt Solitary via Ruined Castle walk
You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.
| Six Foot Track | 1:50 000 Map Series | Six Foot Track | NSW-six-foot-track |
| Jamison | 1:25 000 Map Series | 89302N JAMISON | NSW-89302N |
| Katoomba | 1:25 000 Map Series | 89301S KATOOMBA | NSW-89301S |
| Katoomba | 1:100 000 Map Series | 8930 KATOOMBA | 8930 |
Cross sectional view of the Golden Staircase to Mt Solitary via Ruined Castle bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Golden Staircase to Mt Solitary via Ruined Castle
Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001
Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.
| Length | 11.7 km | ||
| Time | 8 hrs 45 mins | ||
| . | |||
| Grade 5/6 Experienced only |
AS 2156.1 | Gradient | Very steep and difficult scrambles (5/6) |
| Quality of track | Rough unclear track (5/6) | ||
| Signs | No directional signs (5/6) | ||
| Experience Required | High level of bushwalking experience recommended (5/6) | ||
| Weather | Forecast, unforecast storms and severe weather may impact on navigation and safety (4/6) | ||
| Infrastructure | No facilities provided (5/6) |
Some more details of this walks Grading
Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk
Gradient
2.6km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 2.5km is very steep. Whilst another 590m is very steep with difficult rock scrambles and the remaining 210m has short steep hills.
Quality of track
3.2km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and another 2.1km follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely. The remaining (590m) follows a rough unclear track.
Signs
3km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection and another 2.4km has minimal directional signs. Whilst another 210m is clearly signposted and the remaining 200m Has no directional signs.
Experience Required
3km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience and another 2.4km requires a leader a with moderate level of bushwalking experience. Whilst another 210m requires no previous bushwalking experience and the remaining 200m requires a leader with a high level of bushwalking experience.
weather
3.2km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation) and another 1.7km is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety. The remaining (930m) is affected by forecast, unforecast storms and severe weather events that may impact on navigation and safety.
Infrastructure
3.7km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced) and another 1.7km has limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged). Whilst another 210m is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) and the remaining 200m has no facilities provided.
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Plan your trip to and from the walk here
The Golden Staircase to Mt Solitary via Ruined Castle walk starts and ends at the Golden Stairs Track carpark (gps: -33.734348, 150.28237)Your main transport option to Golden Stairs Track carpark is by;
Car. There is free parking available.(get details)
Short URL = http://wild.tl/gstmsvrc
Gallery images
There are other downloads I am still working on.
You will probably need to login to access these — still all free.
* KML (google earth file)
* GPX (GPS file)
Special Maps/ brochures
* A3 topo maps
* PDF with Lands Topo map base
* PDF with arial image (and map overlay)
I wanted to get the main site live first, this extra stuff will come in time.
Happy walking
Matt 🙂
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