Megalong Rd to Bowtells Swing Bridge (Coxs River)
Download & Print Map and Notes
5 hrs 30 mins
12.6 km Return
772 m
Hard track
(0km) Int of 6 Foot Track and Megalong Rd → Megalong Cemetery
100 m
2 mins
0m
-5m
Easy track
From the car park on Megalong Road (about 400m south of Megalong Creek), this walk follows the ‘Six Foot Track’ sign[1] over the cattle grate[2] or stile[3] and goes beside the large sheltered ‘Six Foot Track’ information sign[4]. Here the walk heads gently downhill along the dirt road[5] for about 80m to come beside a stone memorial[6], marking ‘Megalong Cemetery’[7] (on your left).
Megalong Cemetery (historical)
The Megalong Cemetery became the final resting place for at least 14 people who died between 1894 and 1931[8]. Many of the grave sites[9] are in poor repair or can no longer be easily found – please take care in the area to avoid any further damage. A tall stone monument[10] marks the edge of the cemetery on the Six Foot Track, about 100m west of Megalong Road. This cemetery is currently under the management of the Blue Mountains City Council, and is recognised by the National Trust.
(0.1km) Megalong Cemetery → Int Near Guyver Bridge
770 m
15 mins
14m
-34m
Easy track
Continue straight: From beside ‘Megalong Cemetery’[12], this walk heads gently downhill along the dirt road[13] for about 80m to pass through gate with a ‘No Through Road’ sign[14]. Just shy of 300m later, this walk passes a few driveways, beside the farmland[15] to cross another cattle grate[16]. Then about 150m later, the road leads close to Megalong Creek[17], where a sign reminds visitors this is private land[18]. About 30m further on, the main dirt road veers right at a Y-intersection[19] then crosses a cattle grate[20]. Here the walk heads uphill along the dirt road for just over 200m (with views of the escarpment behind[21]) to cross another grate and come to an intersection marked with a ‘Six Foot Track’ sign pointing right into the valley[22].
(0.87km) Int Near Guyver Bridge → Euroka back gate
1.9 km
41 mins
69m
-122m
Moderate track
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Six Foot Track’ sign[23] downhill along the narrow track into the valley. The walk now crosses a small creek on the timber ‘Guyver Bridge’[24], named in honour of Jon Guyver who worked hard to redevelop the 6FT as the track coordinator/administrator until 2010. Here the walk heads up the timber steps[25] and over a rise[26]. The track now follows a wire fence down through the farmland[27] and across a valley (above a dam) for almost 100m to metal stile just before a dirt trail[28]. Here the walk turns right and crosses the fence using the stile[29], then follows a ‘Six Foot Track’ sign along the track as it undulates over a series of hills[30] for about 300m before crossing another fence using another metal stile[31] beside a large tree. The track now leads uphill for 200m to pass a ‘Private Land – No Camping before Coxs River Reserve’ sign[32], then winds along the side of the hill for a further 150m before heading into a wooded forest and down some timber steps[33]. The walk then crosses a steep gully and winds along the side of the hill for just over 100m to pass a ’35km’ 6FT arrow post[34], then 150m later, crosses another fence using a metal stile[35]. Here the walk continues for another 600m through a mix of farmland and open forest, crossing a few more steep gullies with timber steps to head through a closed gate[36], marked with a few ‘Private Property’ signs[37].
(2.72km) Private Gate → Bowtells Bridge East
3.4 km
1 hr 25 mins
157m
-348m
Hard track
Continue straight: From the gate, this walk heads downhill along the narrowing track, keeping the valley to your right. After about 120m, this walk crosses a timber fence on a metal stile[38], then continues down the track over a few large rocks for just over 200m, to an intersection with a wide trail. Here the walk turns right then immediately left[39], to continue along the track as it narrows again. The track then leads down along the side of the valley for about 600m and passes through another usually closed gate[40], then about 250m later, the track passes a few granite boulders[41] and heads down a few timber steps. About 400m after this, this walk heads down a 100m-long series of timber steps[42] to cross a gully and find a series of large granite boulders[43] – one of the small overhangs is home to a wild bee hive[44]. The track leads out of the valley and gently down along the side of the hill for about 1km, where the valley opens up with wider views down to the Coxs River[45], then heads down some more timber steps[46]. About 250m later, the track leads down another set of timber steps[47] to then head through a pleasant lush gully with views close to the river[48]. The track then heads along the hillside for another 150m to an intersection (just above the swing bridge, to your right), marked with a ‘Six Foot Track’ and ‘Alternative Bridge’ signs[49].
Bowtells Swing Bridge
This suspension footbridge[50] spans the Coxs River and provides an alternate route for the Six Foot Track when the river is in flood[51]. Regardless of weather, this route is now becoming more popular with many walkers, wanting to avoid the river crossing. The bridge was built and opened in 1992 by the Royal Australian Engineers. The bridge is named after a fellow soldier of the builders, Corporal Bob Bowtell, who suffocated and died in foul air whilst attempting to clear a tunnel of the VC during the Vietnam war . Bowtell grew up in Katoomba and is now buried in West Malaysia.
(6.15km) Bowtells Swing Bridge → Bowtells Swing Bridge North
130 m
4 mins
15m
-8m
Moderate track
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Alternative Bridge When River High’ sign[53] down the timber steps[54] to the southern end of the ‘Bowtells Bridge’[55]. Here the walk climbs the ramp and crosses the Cox’s River on the suspension bridge[56], observing the ‘Only one Person at a time’[57] safety sign. This crossing can take some time with a large group – the bridge does swing a fair bit and people concerned by heights may find this challenging. The bridge spans 100m, giving great views of the river below[58]. On the far side, this walk steps off the bridge onto the large rock platform[59].
(6.28km) Bowtells Bridge West → Six Foot Track Lodge
790 m
20 mins
49m
-73m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the north side of the bridge, this walk heads up the timber steps through the dense forest[60] to soon pass the ‘Bowtells Bridge’ sign[61]. At the top of these steps, the track bends left then leads along the side of the hill for 500m, crossing a few gullies[62] and undulating up and down a series of timber steps to then pass between a couple of fences posts[63]. Here the walk continues down a series of timber steps[64] to a clearing and intersection marked with a ‘Private Land – No Camping’ sign[65].
Turn sharp right: From the intersection and clearing, this walk follows the ‘Camping Ground-500mtrs’ sign[66] north up the timber steps. The track soon bends left and follows the side of the hill[67] for about 130m to then head through a gate with a ‘Welcome’ sign[68]. The walk continues along the clear track for another 70m to the intersection with the timber path[69] just below the ‘Six Foot Track Lodge’[70]. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn left .
Turn sharp right: From the intersection and clearing, this walk follows the ‘Camping Ground-500mtrs’ sign[66] north up the timber steps. The track soon bends left and follows the side of the hill[67] for about 130m to then head through a gate with a ‘Welcome’ sign[68]. The walk continues along the clear track for another 70m to the intersection with the timber path[69] just below the ‘Six Foot Track Lodge’[70]. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn left .
Six Foot Track Lodge
The Six Foot Track Lodge is situated above the flats of the Coxs River along the Six Foot Track alternate route, not far north of Coxs River Campsite. The lodge consists of two cabins, each with the capacity to sleep twelve people in bunks[71]. The cabins are equipped with linen, warm blankets, log fire[72], pizza oven[73], tank water[74] and has its own outhouse toilet[75]. At $35 per person per night, this is a very pleasant way to spend an evening. Authentic meals can also be organised for a fee. For more information, visit www.6fttracklodge.com or call Pavel on 0421 932 631. Walk-ins are welcome, however to ensure beds are available, booking in advance is recommended.
Maps for the Megalong Rd to Bowtells Swing Bridge (Coxs River) 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 |
| Hampton | 1:25 000 Map Series | 89304S HAMPTON | NSW-89304S |
| Katoomba | 1:100 000 Map Series | 8930 KATOOMBA | 8930 |
Cross sectional view of the Megalong Rd to Bowtells Swing Bridge (Coxs River) bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Megalong Rd to Bowtells Swing Bridge (Coxs River)
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 | 12.6 km | ||
| Time | 5 hrs 30 mins | ||
| . | |||
| Grade 4/6 Hard track |
AS 2156.1 | Gradient | Very steep (4/6) |
| Quality of track | Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6) | ||
| Signs | Directional signs along the way (3/6) | ||
| Experience Required | Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6) | ||
| Weather | Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6) | ||
| Infrastructure | Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6) |
Some more details of this walks Grading
Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk
Gradient
3.4km of this walk is very steep and another 1.9km has short steep hills. Whilst another 900m has gentle hills with occasional steps and the remaining 95m is flat with no steps.
Quality of track
Around 5km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles, whilst the remaining 870m follows a clear and well formed track or trail.
Signs
Around 5km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 870m is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
Around 3.4km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 2.8km requires no previous bushwalking experience.
weather
Around 3.4km of this walk is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety, whilst the remaining 2.8km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
Around 3.4km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 2.8km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).
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Plan your trip to and from the walk here
The Megalong Rd to Bowtells Swing Bridge (Coxs River) walk starts and ends at the Int of 6 Foot Track and Megalong Rd (gps: -33.73558, 150.23457)Your main transport option to Int of 6 Foot Track and Megalong Rd is by;
Car. There is free parking available.(get details)
Short URL = http://wild.tl/mrtbsbr
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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